R.I.P. Holger Czukay (9-6-17)

[@prototropo]

You shouldn't be bullied or pressured to tell anyone what they want to hear! The sanctity of the individual needs reviving. I appreciate your tone, intelligence, independence and civility.

[@soundsfromthewestcoast9939]

Holger Czukay - a major, major figure for me - I love the music he did with Can - to my mind they, and he, did some of the greatest albums ever. As for your comments on the Blues and Walter Becker - I like both and I had absolutely no problems with what you said. You have a perfect right to like what you like, and you were not disrespectful in your comments so I can't see why anyone should have had a problem. Take care. Peter

[@jackdladd8941]

I was very much influenced by the bass playing of Holger Czukay. I copped his use of bass harmonics and used the technique to make my Fender P sound like an African Kalimba... very cool player!

[@STOKER_DayZ]

Holger and Jaki - the best rhythm section ever - on the track Vitamin C they are telepathic

[@drewk1955]

In a phone conversation with Holger one time... He said... "Once Jaki got into a rhythm, He was going to die with that rhythm! More accurate than a drum machine!" I will miss my old friend...

[@SynthJohn]

RIP Holger Czukay. When you've listened to German 70's Rock, you really look beyond the blues for inspiration.

[@MrChrisStingray]

I don't get why people have to hurl insults or be unkind. It's cowardly and uncalled for.

[@NOWtheband]

Quite.

[@musicalidiot1813]

Oh, man! I just came by a record shop today and saw a CAN single. I should have bought it. And I listened to "Cannibalism" again the other day after a few years of not hearing it. The first time I heard CAN, I didn't like them as much except for a few songs. But then my wife bought me "Moving Pictures" and I fell in love. So, naturally I started listening to CAN again with me liking them more and more. He lived his life to the fullest he can make it. He did it Right!

[@davidrankin516]

I was introduced to Can in my early 20s in Scotland. Still keep going back to them 35 years later

[@mesapysch]

I've seen him live and spoke with him a couple times on his website chat. Followed him for almost 40 years.

[@eddiemoore6216]

Perisian love was the first time I actually heard sampling on record using radio rest in peace to a great musician you pushed the boundaries in every way

[@thelantern9075]

I love CAN and Holger, their music touched a special place in my heart. But SD is such a great place for me as well. They made some dark, beautifully composed and performed pop music for us outlaws and loners who needed great stories and characters to relate to. Steelydan has always felt like a long distant best friend for me, nothing but respect. CAN is so full of creative ideas and European sentiments that their influence on me changed how I make music. Great video, I just found it.

[@MyElectriko]

Volver. El mejor swing song the best

[@tibsno]

What a great collection. Holger's music helped me maintain at times when breathing was difficult to do. Glad I stumbled on this video.

[@tricornclub9594]

Came to Can fairly recently and play their music endlessly. Are a massive, massive influence on our own band's music. Thank you Holger Czukay and your Can bandmates. RIP. Fine video. Kudos to you sir for posting.

[@DerIngo62]

Now Holger...you are in heaven of musicans.......wish u best sessions bro

[@Ziet1]

So typical we like what we like we are individuals HOLGER love his music.

[@Lastman737]

I have grown to love CAN. I first got into them from a Kanye song and after searching KZbin for the term Krautrock I came upon your video and also Big Star100. I appreciate the introduction to such enriching music. Glad he shared his gift with the world before returning to the essence. Have a great day!

[@transmitterdown320]

I pretty much agree with everything you said. Holger Czukay's music wasn't always great, but he inspired many people to go further and create new sounds, new music. I'm discovering new (old) music all the time, and when I hear something that I hadn't heard before, a new sound, a different angle, it makes trawling through all of the mire worth it. Glenn Branca's first album is one such album, I find it incredible.

[@ankro69]

Thank you for your nice and interesting words about mr Czukay and Can. I first met the music of Can in 1972 in high school in Sweden, where I became friend with a german exchange student. He introduced me to the world of Kraut music; Can, Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Ashra Temple, Neu! etc. I´ve been listening to it ever since. :)

[@threelittledragonflys5520]

Hi Derek: Just discovered your channel recently and you've helped me discover a lot of great and interesting music, including CAN. Thank you so much and keep doing what you're doing. The best way to show respect to these great artists is to keep their music alive by sharing it.

[@charleskaplan6315]

Sad news. Can's music, along with Gong, Soft Machine, Egg to name a few, influenced me as well as inspired me to be a musician. RIP Holger.

[@omniversal7]

thanks for this Dereck. best wishes as always John

[@terrypussypower]

Yet another musical hero passes away. I saw Can on their final tour in 1977 when I was a student at Strathclyde University, by that time Holger had left but they still kicked ass! I stole a tour poster off the wall and got them all to sign it, but some sneaky son of a bitch, so-called "friend" stole it from my house!

[@deluge25]

R.i.P. Holger Thanx for entertaining me for nearly 50 years. THANX

[@TheStrongBoyz19]

Such an incredible and highly gifted musician. Fantastic role he did in Can

[@baskeddi1201]

I always like your videos and I guess I have very similar tastes in music as well. The passing of both Jaki and now Holger brings to an end for me personally one of the most interesting rhythm sections ever. Their work together in Can and then later apart still sounds great today and has been a huge influence on musicians trying to do something different. This great generation of musicians is coming to a close and it is very sad because of how much they gave us. I grew up as a teenager listening to the Cure, Joy Division, Bauhaus and as much as I love this era of music, as I got older I explored music of older generations and those from the 60s and 70s, I believe will always be revered. Their influence is still felt on the current (also wonderful) generation of musicians. Thanks Holger and Jaki, you will be missed.

[@mickeybaumann]

genius.....holger....we love you and your music...ever...cheers....

[@roberthansen2008]

Well I will have to tell a couple of my friends if they don't already know about the bass player from can. They probably do. And so I will play some can on the wizard this Sunday. I played another one of their songs of couple weeks ago. I think it was Hali wah or something like that anyway it was about 17 minutes long and I loved it. It's one of those awesome songs by can. And so vitamin C is a good one. Just a bunch of those songs are excellent thank you for sharing this with me and all of the other viewers of this video.

[@NormAppleton]

I sent this to a HUUUGE Can/Holger fan. He will love it. Thank you

[@EASY-Hans-Helmut-Schlicht]

Jetzt hat es zwei Bandmitglieder von Can in einem Jahr getroffen. Das ist traurig! But we say: Yes, we CAN! Let the Music of Can influence our new Music.

[@thebrofessoroak545]

Thanks for the video. You have an amazing Can collection! I believe I have read that Holger was incredibly important in the studio/recording and engineering end of Can's sound. Therefore, while all members were important, as you stated in the video, I believe he was comparatively one of the most important in terms of shaping how they sounded. Very interesting career all around -- he studied under Karlheinz Stockhausen and released some great sound collage stuff early on, and collaborated with many interesting artists. His work with Phew is some of my favorite and does not get enough credit. He will be missed.

[@jimmypsychonaut9530]

future days will come for us

[@michaelwosslert9524]

Really sad news...my favorite rythm section now gone...(On a happier note; I 've always liked "November" on "Out Of Reach") Take Care !

[@Bossemannene]

Thanks for the video. I've got the day off tomorrow and will spend it with Can after watching this.

[@Paneeks1960]

I remember you showing three or four Can albums about five years ago. You were the one who nudged me into grabbing Ege Bamyasi. I will always appreciate that nudge Dereck. ~ Rob/Boston

[@Fontsman]

Can were a vital force and very influential. His solo album 'Movies' is his meistwerk. It predated Byrne and Eno by a couple of years. Traum mal veder, is one of my favourite ever pieces of music (from Der osten ist rot).

[@philippes2962]

Hello Dereck; thank's for speack about Holger and the big influence in this fucking music world. Can Can Can~~~never forget this big band with perfect musicians give a new way to so much musicians~~~me to Have a tgood day in this sad moment.

[@Herehear49]

Hey Dereck thanks so much for taking the time and presenting lots of the music that I dearly love as well as music I would surely dig if I got the chance to hear it. It was always a great moment finding some gem in a cut out bin and I can relate to your appreciating all the different genres and artists who, as you said, rarely get rewarded for their contributions. Wondering if you like Ollie Halsall's guitar work with Patto and the band XTC? Having wide open ears is a blessing!

[@julianmbrown]

Hey Dereck! We meet again. I enjoyed your run down on Holger & Can.Enjoy your enthusiasm & love of their early work.Those Holger collaborations with David Sylvian I like very much too.

[@elcamino7846]

I'm not tuned in to the creative obituaries, and this is the first I have heard of Holger's passing. Can made some of the most exciting music which I have ever heard, and they leave a great legacy. Had I been a young German in 1972, I wouldn't have been mature enough to have seen the Can concerts which I wish I could have experienced. That's life, everything which is good passes. A bit like Holger. I like your honesty with which you made this film and thank you for sharing the news, albeit sad news.

[@stuartjames6983]

Great video. Thanks.

[@bluestate69]

I love that your parents introduced you to music from all over the world. That's so cool!

[@mg-yl1uv]

I love Can and Holger Czukay and I love this Video. Cool, man.

[@mikaelpripp5126]

Can meant a lot to me during the time in school, they brought a completely new way of using tones in a beautiful way. R.I.P Holger Czukay 🙏

[@BeholdItKnits]

Have you heard Canaxis, which is Czukay and a guy called Rolf Dammers? Released in 1969 it was originally sold under the name Technical Space Composers Crew, but under Czukay's name in most later editions. Really great piece of abstract sound collage/tape music. I'm sure you probably have a copy, even if it's on CD.

[@jonathanstevens6352]

Holger Czukay is one of my favourite artists of all time and blues is overrated. Everyone's taste differs but I don't quite get people who don't like Can. You are being honest which I like

[@frankschneller2627]

I love Steely Dan. And the Blues. And your Videos. I like your perspective, your approach. There's room for all kinds of music. And, of course, for different opinions. Czukay was a fantastic, interesting artist. I have some of his and Can albums. Narrow mindedness sucks. Bigotry as well. Particularly when it comes to art and music. How can someone become nasty over this?

[@furrystep]

Some eclectic discotheque you got there, brother man, if I may say so! Imagine I heard "On The Way To The Peak Of Normal" in high school back in Czechoslovakia - I imagine pretty much as it came out - which I had bought at an illegal LP exchange back then. It has remained one my fav sounds ever since (alongside, at the time, the likes of the Residents, Faust, Josef K, Tuxedo Moon...). Meanwhile I only learned about the existence of Can after I defected and ended up in Canada, some 15 years later. Amazing you as an American know and love this "odd" stuff... I've been a weirdo all my life and proud of it, especially as I get older. Cheers from (near) Prague!

[@dereckvon]

Cheers. I played in Prague in 2009. I had a great time.

[@arjenvreeken1593]

Nice story, how you came in touch with this music! I am a bassplayer too. He may not have influenced me as a bassplayer on a concious level, his approach of composing is unique and very playfull. Sadly I learned y'day that not only Holger but also Jaki Liebezeit is no longer among us... that was doubly sadning. Let's play their stuff, for inspiration and enjoyment.

[@andypitchless5515]

At 51 I still find it strange that other people never seem to be able to let go of the 'it doesn't please MY ears therefore it has no merit', and by extension, 'if you don't like what I like, I feel attacked'. I love your channel by the way.

[@casimsalabim]

Hi Dereck, discoverd your YT channel the other day through a link about King Crimson. (One of my top5 all time fav, bands) Your videos are great, you've got good taste and you seem a very friendly man! I just made a list of albums that I don't know from your "music that I love" videos. I'm very astonished that you don't like Steely Dan! So much of the music you recommend has got rich and intricate harmony in it, that I can hardly believe you don't like them. I had the Goucho album in my collection for years, tried it from time to time but never liked it until one sunny day it hit me like a stone. It took me a while too. Yes, it is elevator music on the first listen, but there is much more behind that slick and silky curtain. I urge you to give them another go. :-) Maybe one of the earlier albums, like Prtezel Logic, is more in your line. The lyrics are so good: Funny, dark, sad, enigmatic... Greetings and all the best!! Carsten PS.: " I never met Napoleon, but I planned to find the time..."

[@ACrackInTheWall2006]

Hey great video man! I did a tribute video of both Walter Becker and Holger Czukay on my channel. I know a lot of people don't like the Out Of Reach, Can or Rite Time albums but I absolutely love them. I guess I'm too big of a Can fan. LOL. They aren't the band's best work but they do have a lot of great material on those 3 albums at least in my opinion. Not sure if you ever liked punk or Husker Du or not but we sadly lost Grant Hart today. Husker Du was a very important band to me along with Steely Dan and Can so his passing really hurt me. I posted a video tribute for him today as well. Anyway Dereck I've been a fan of your channel a long time and think you do awesome videos. Keep it up man!

[@RyanHudson76]

Rite Time's grown on me, took about fifteen years to like it as much as I do. Very unique-sounding album, with respect to their catalog. Great playing and arrangements throughout.

[@jacksonfritts2988]

Very unfortunate! RIP- Holger. Great inspiration to me! I love your videos, man. I'm also not crazy about the blues.

[@MrChrisStingray]

RIP Holger Czukay.

[@MrThomas1958]

thank you so much !

[@Voetsekhond]

I would just like to add what you just said about about blues music. I don't like blues music either and nor do I like reggae. Many of my african friends thinks you are a weirdo if you dig other music than black music. The problem is that I hate R´n B and rap music of today especially all the swearing and denigrating of black people and women. But give me the Last Poets and African Head Charge I'm in man. I am a huge fan of jazz and african music of central and west africa and that is really cool stuff. In any case coming to Can that is a really cool band I have most of the stuff accept for the singles you showed. I was lucky to experience Hoger Czuckay at a very small library here in Copenhagen Denmark. I still can't figure out why it was such a small setting. I can tell you that Holger is a very warm and friendly person. I have 7 brothers and we are all music lovers and we always try and outdo each other with new sounds. Like when we all went to see Jaki Liebezeit and Burnt Freidman play in a town called Aarhus. And like you mentioned some rather interesting drumming. He plays the drums different like say Tony Williams, I think of his style more african, incessant and voodoo like. Jaki is very concentrated when he plays and does not need four drums to make a point 2 is enough to drive a beat. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and I can tell you that we are on par. Have a long life.

[@prockrog5219]

No big blues fan either. Lately I've been freeing up some shelf space by getting rid of most of my blues stuff. I really like Gary Clark Jr. though. His modern take on the blues is something I really like.

[@Miler97487]

Music Factory was the name of the label that originally released Monster Movie and it sports a totally different cover. I found a repro copy of it for $10, and the sound quality is great. There's no way I'll ever find or afford the true original as they go for truly insane prices.

[@daninexusurrutia79]

So true , people nowadays perceive opinions as something against them ..sad world

[@andypitchless5515]

My favourite Czukay album is 'Der osten ist rot' from 1984.

[@jasonpeterson4391]

R.I.P Holger! I did get to see him perform once at The Knitting Factory in NYC in the late 1990's - awsome! As to your "blues problem", I just get a little bored with blues based music. Always have, at least since around High School (mid 1970's). I like the unexpected, the journey - not the predictable.

[@patflathman8768]

god bless you! i miss Holger. you sir, are a breath of fresh air, I look forward to more of your posts. you play the bass? i play the drums . we may have a understanding of each other! lol!

[@kevinogracia1615]

I love you, cat... There were other Can records that were purty cool. Keep on keep'in on...

[@gorvo31]

Good to catch up with you Dereck, despite this news. Admired this artist too. Wasn't aware of his solo output as much. Do you like the albums he did with David Sylvian? Those are among my personal favorites outside of Can. RIP Holger. As Colin Medicinehorse says, 'Weirdos unite'. :-) -Carm

[@dereckvon]

I forgot to show those Sylvian collaborations.

[@meederr]

Can was a VERY influential band. Sorry to hear of Holger's passing.

[@nostrapajamas]

Great words & that's a helluva Can collection!

[@DylanWDied]

Very sad news indeed, but as you mentioned Dereck 79 is a good age and he definetely left his sonic footprint on the world. I was curious if you've ever heard his 1968 album he did with Rolf Dammers, under the band name The Technical Space Composer's Crew, entitled Canaxis 5. I'd be really interested to see what you think about that record.

[@dereckvon]

I have it on the computer. Haven't played it in a long time.

[@periurban]

The first Can I heard was "Opener", a compilation of early stuff, which set me on a very different path from Zappa and Yes. So sad that all these innovators are passing, but we will carry on. At least for a bit!

[@nman9139]

People tend to forget that EVERYONE is diverse. Big deal you don't care for blues. People need to get over it and move on.

[@dereckvon]

Exactly. It is no big deal at all.

[@InfiniteRhombus]

czukay was a huge HUGE influence for my playing, really underrated.

[@tziganesco1392]

I discovered Tago Mago 10 years ago. I felt like a hidden world of musical possibilities has been revealed to my mind.

[@paulsenkans3401]

Well done Sir!

[@indivisibleremainder]

That is sad, didn't know about his death. Can were massively influential- especially on the post-punk scene here in the U.K.. In fact they still are - I was listening to Jane Weavers last 2 albums the other day and Can are all over it - though it's the more accessible side.

[@fender91m]

i appreciate men who communicate there feelings

[@philippes2962]

Jaki and now Holger~~~~Damo was very sick but again on tour and , I hope, feel good again

[@twostikks1]

Dereck, I am sorry you felt compelled to have to delete ANY video because of the response it may have garnered from viewers. I am a huge Steely Dan fan. But I've met many people who didn't like them, and I've NEVER had an attitude toward anyone for not liking an artist -- or a SONG, for that matter -- that I like. I find the whole concept imbecilic. That's what 7th graders do. I would think Steely Dan fans would have a higher degree of sense, than to get bent out of shape because someone isn't a fan of Becker or SD's music. But I've been known to be wrong before. 😆 So sorry to hear of Holger Czukay's passing. I've been absorbing Can's first 8 or 9 albums, and find their music to be, as I like to say, "really cool!" Peace, my brother.

[@MrThomas1958]

.....fantastic stuff

[@ryanrocks84]

Oh my, that´s sad news. Never been into Can as much as you are Dereck but I always appreciated them as a major influence in modern music. Looks like we have the same copy of Monster Movie. The Liberty press I think was the 2nd issue, right after the private press. I had no Idea Holger was 79 already, it´s just so sad to see our legends go. Beautiful video my friend, Im sure Holger would´ve loved it. btw did you get the PM I sent you lately? Take care my friend -Ben

[@dereckvon]

I did not, please communicate through email [e-mail]

[@ryanrocks84]

I will do that, thanks!

[@davidsanderson5918]

I am ABSOLUTELY with you on The Blues. I don’t have the same initial reason as you for steering clear of it but I’ve played in blues bands, I’ve jammed with people many many many times....and what do you end up playing? 12 bar blues. NOT ANY MORE! I’M DONE. Especially swing blues over a walking bass. I’m DONE WITH THAT. Arrrrrgh! I’m a piano teacher and the blues is a useful teaching tool for a pupil to learn primary triads, scales for improvising, etc. I also like Free, Led Zeppelin, The Stones, Booker T, Hendrix and all kinds of bands who have blues at their foundation but if I like it its because they come to it with their own spin, their own character and personality which takes it away from the cliched, same old, same old. What I’m bored shitless with is that stuff we get in our pubs. The leather waistcoats, the big hats, and that lame lazy uninspired ‘inauthentic’ blues nonsense that frankly is just there as a blanket sound to glug more beer too. Anything sounds good when you’re on the piss. I think it’s been so overused that it’s become meaningless, restrictive, contrived and BORRRRRING! With you all the way Dereck. If a band starts playing the blues I’m thinking of going home asap.

[@lmttn]

Despite your general opinion on blues music, do you enjoy Beefheart? I really love his uniquely twisted take on electric blues/blues-rock.

[@thelantern9075]

letmetrythisname Man, I love Beefheart, SD, and CAN. Beefheart holds a huge place in my heart, and I’m indifferent for a lot of Blues music. A lot of blues is kind of boring, but SD is one of my favorites, and Beefheart is a personal influence for me.

[@cvp1969]

Thanks for this- however, dude- I heard no mention of the Czukay/Liebeziet/Jah Wobble album Full Circle. Have you not heard that? You gotta if you haven't- that is a stone cold master work..

[@arthurcopus5201]

Can a band I once saw in Swansea University South wales back in the early 70's (support band Henry Cow!)

[@yxyx8156]

He was one of my favorite musician ...i am totally sad !The second precious person in 1week ...Jaki Liebezeit was also sad to see( few time ago )... ..Holger Czukay was for me a kind of muse ... :-( ah i felt before 1month "dearh comes soon in my nearer cirqle... but i start to think : maybe in this disqusting times (and human hybris ) i should not be sad ...i should be happy for them... but it helps not just right now ...maybe later ... I AM SAD !!!

[@cliffordhodge1449]

In college my roommate bought a Can album - I think it was a compilation, Cannibalism - and I was hooked.

[@WanderersPath05]

Did you enjoy his work in les vampyrettes? That’s how I discovered Holger.

[@BeholdItKnits]

Dereck, have you ever reviewed any Dirty Three? I had a look over the archives and couldn't see any. I think they'd be up your alley. Check out this marvelous live performance of theirs, in any case: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKvScqqZnJWaqbM

[@Turtl289]

Im not a big prog guy(though that could change). And im sure you'd hate a good amount of my favorite. But youre a very imformatve guy and i love watchin your videos. Every ones opinions are different. Thats what makes music so great!

[@ST-xg3gy]

Hate that I missed the Steely Dan commentary.

[@planetpjr]

You devote so much time edifying us with distinctive musical diversity and that requires astute erudition that the blues does not.

[@teddydog6229]

Dereck, for what it’s worth, love, hate, or have a complex, nuanced view of Steely Dan. I’ve experienced outright hostility for some of the music I like. You may have a clearer insight into this than me, but the psychology behind that hostility is alien to me. And I do mean literally alien. I don’t mean to diminish its importance in our lives, but it really is just music. If I don’t care for the artist you’re discussing, I go off and listen to something else. I missed the Steely Dan post, but i’m sure you said something more articulate than “Steely Dan sucks”. That would irritate me because it offers zero insight and just wastes my time. I feel reasonably safe telling you I like Steely Dan, for reasons of my own which I can’t imagine you’d be interested in hearing. But I watch you for nearly always dependable musical tips, and thoughtful observations on the terrifying society we’re transforming into from a man older, wiser, and more worldly than myself. And I know I missed some big piece of the ‘controversy’, because I have never, in my life, heard Steely Dan classified as blues. Jazz, sure. Blues, never. Thanks Dereck, for the regular enlightenment, and setting a standard for how a true gentleman thinks and speaks. And RIP to both Walter Becker and Holger Czukay. The world is a better place for what both men contributed to it.

[@jimmypsychonaut9530]

:-( I feel for you

[@BaldJean]

Wow, you have a copy of Can's "Limited Edition". Only 15000 copies of that album were released.

[@NOWtheband]

Understood.

[@amphitheatre]

RIP Holger, some of the best bass riffs ever are from those damo albums. I'm with you on the blues, actually. Unless its washed in fx I usually won't listen to it for pleasure.

[@AndyKing1963]

don't like Holger's solo stuff - but his stuff in CAN is excellent. Rest in peace Holger

[@futuregenerationz]

Blues are crying music; akin to whiny country. If you call what the Stones did blues, I like them. Holger Czukay: I had a recording for decades I thought was the most amazing thing I ever heard; Hollywood Symphony. Wow! What a piece. It took me 30 years to find out who he was. Becker/SteelyDan are technically pleasing, but not satisfying in a sustainable way(and that's not to say there aren't Steely Dan albums I don't think are genius). I appreciate your willingness to face criticism by offering your honest opinion. To what extent you call this agreement, perhaps. Your opinion does resonate.

[@maynardjohnson3313]

I think that it was Robert Johnson that said you can say what you like as far as music goes but you really shouldn't comment and what you don't like I like Holger Czukay. I like Sun Ra. I like Eric Dolphy. I like Amon Duul ii. I don't get to say what I don't like. What purpose does that serve?

[@dereckvon]

Well, it matters not to me what Robert said. I get to say what I don't like.

[@benjaminhooper6076]

America is a very blues obsessed place, of course. Personally I can find the blues pretty derivative, not to say it’s all bad but for the most part, it’s pretty one dimensional. You’re a man of taste so I’m not surprised you have a few issues with it!

[@diamond_marimba]

I can definitely envision steely dan as pick up music...would not be my scene either. RIP Jaki and Holger.