Electronic Music Pioneer Dieter Moebius Passes Away

Pioneering electronic musician Dieter Moebius has passed away at age 71; a cause of death has not been announced.

Dieter Moebius was a household name, depending on which household you were in. Moebius was one of several German musicians in the late '60s and early '70s that helped launch a musical revolution, the effects of which would be felt for years to come and in a variety of places.

Moebius was a member of such bands as Cluster and Harmonia, who, along with people like Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk, took electronic-based music to new places. Cluster would go on to influence, as well as collaborate with, Brian Eno, among others. Part of the often misunderstood Krautrock sub-genre, Cluster and Harmonia took cues from the likes of the Velvet Underground and Terry Riley to make new sounds that would ultimately influence everyone from David Bowie and Depeche Mode, up through the Orb and beyond.

Bandmate, guitarist Michael Rother (Harmonia and Neu!) posted the news on his Facebook page: "Very sad news today for all friends of Dieter Moebius and his unique music,” Rother wrote. “Our friend, neighbour and collaborator passed away this morning ... He will be missed dearly by all of us.Our thoughts go out to his wife, Irene. RIP, Dieter"

Another former bandmate, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, also took to social media with his own acknowledgement: “Sowiesoso describes best ... our aim since we decided to become musicians/composers – just to do it. To do what we liked to in the way we were able to and [have] fun with it.”

Moebius stayed active in music up through the end. Check out the second Harmonia album, Deluxe, for a taste of Moebius in action.