The hard rock/metal world has once again been dealt a blow with the news that Francis Buchholz, the original Scorpions bassist who provided their rhythmic heartbeat during their ascent to global superstardom, passed away yesterday. His family confirmed that he died peacefully following a private battle with cancer. He was 75.
Bulcholz was the original bassist for the Scorpions’ more iconic and definitive lineup. He joined the band in 1973 to play on the 1974 album Fly to the Rainbow, and his last album appearance was 1990’s Crazy World. He left the band after the conclusion of the band’s Crazy World Tour on December 7, 1991.
In 1992, shortly after the Scorpions reached a commercial peak with the Crazy World album, Buchholz decided to step away from the spotlight. His departure came shortly after the birth of his twin daughters, as he chose to trade life on the road for a life dedicated to his family.
Bulcholz was the bassist in the Scorpions’ most successful era, which churned out hits such as “Rock You Like A Hurricane”, “Still Loving You”, and “Wind Of Change“, a song that became the unofficial soundtrack to the fall of the Berlin Wall and remains one of the best-selling singles in history. During his tenure, the Scorpions sold over 100 million albums, and Buchholz was honored with more than 50 gold and platinum awards worldwide for his contributions to rock history.
“Our hearts are shattered,” his family said in a joint statement. “Throughout his fight with cancer, we stayed by his side, facing every challenge as a family — exactly the way he taught us. He was a family man through and through, and our grief is beyond words.”
Following his departure from the Scorpions, Bulcholz worked as a music consultant and later enjoyed a celebrated return to music, most notably touring and recording with Michael Schenker‘s Temple of Rock. This project saw him reunite with former bandmates Michael Schenker and Herman Rarebell and take their music to fans in dozens of countries across Europe, North America, South America, and Japan.
Francis is survived by his wife, Hella, their son Sebastian, and twin daughters Louisa and Marietta. The family has requested privacy as they grieve their loss.
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