Techno pioneer Juan Atkins dies at 64
Juan Atkins was a founding father of Detroit techno. He co-founded Cybotron. He died at 64 in Mexico City.
Juan Atkins was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Mexico City on Saturday, October 31. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Atkins was born in Detroit in 1962. He was raised in nearby Belleville, Michigan.
He formed Cybotron with producer Rik Davis in 1980. Their debut album was important.
It featured the track "Clear". This song ranked number 77 on Billboard's list of the 100 best dance songs of all time.
Atkins founded the Metroplex label in 1985. He released music as Model 500.
This helped bring Detroit's techno sound to the UK. He later released music under other names, including Infiniti and Audio Tech.
He reunited with fellow Belleville Three members Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson to perform around the world.
- 64
- Age at death
- 1962
- Birth year
- 1985
- Metroplex label founded
Why it mattersAtkins was one of the pioneers who made Detroit a global center for electronic music in the 1980s. He helped shape a genre heard worldwide.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect, but Atkins' influence on dance and electronic music is felt globally, including in Australian clubs and festivals.
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