Former Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz has died at 71 after a private battle with cancer, his family confirmed on Facebook. He passed peacefully on January 22, surrounded by loved ones.
Buchholz, born February 19, 1953, in Germany, joined Scorpions in 1977 during the band’s rise to fame. He played on iconic albums including Lovedrive, Blackout, Love at First Sting, Savage Amusement, and Crazy World, contributing to hits like “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” “Still Loving You,” and “Wind of Change.” His melodic bass helped define the band’s 1980s rock sound.
He left the band in 1992, citing internal tensions and a desire to focus on family after becoming a father. “I was fed up with the music… I decided to focus on family life,” he said.
After Scorpions, Buchholz continued in music through songwriting and production and later collaborated with former drummer Herman Rarebell in Buchholz & Rarebell, blending classic hard rock with new material.