Juan Atkins, Co-Founder of Techno Music, Dies at 64 — SkimNews
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- Green Smith Artists confirmed the death of Detroit techno co-founder Juan Atkins at 64; he had been scheduled to perform at Yu Yu Club in Mexico City on October 31.
- Cybotron was formed by Juan Atkins and Richard “3070” Davis when Atkins was 18, combining funk, electronic instrumentation and futuristic themes on singles including “Alleys of the Mind” and “Cosmic Raindance.”
- “Clear” became an instant underground hit in 1983, sold 50,000 copies, broke into the mainstream and was later sampled by Missy Elliott and countless others.
- Belleville Three brought together Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, who shared equipment, studio space and production work; Atkins bought his first Korg MS-10 synthesizer at 15.
- Juan Atkins maintained in a 2005 Pitchfork interview that he always called his music techno, even as Chicago DJs Derrick Carter and Frankie Knuckles labeled it Detroit house and he described Detroit’s sound as “pure futuristic.”
- Juan Atkins argued in a recent Guardian interview that artists have an obligation to say something meaningful, saying his lyrics should make listeners think beyond dancing and falling in love.
- Juan Atkins remained an active touring DJ through his final two years, appearing from New York City to Berlin and on stages at Movement, Dekmantel and Houghton festivals.
Why it matters: Detroit techno loses a foundational producer whose 1983 hit “Clear” sold 50,000 copies and was sampled by Missy Elliott. Atkins was still touring through his final two years, including sets at Movement, Dekmantel and Houghton festivals; his death at 64 closes a career still visibly active onstage.
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