New Wave Outpost Forum

From Pitchfork:
http://pitchfork.com/news/41106-rip-ger ... mick-karn/

The Guardian reports that Scottish singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty has died. Rafferty was known for his work in the soft-rock duo Stealers Wheel, whose "Stuck in the Middle With You" was infamously used at the climax of Quentin Tarantino's 1992 debut feature film Reservoir Dogs. Rafferty also maintained a successful solo career highlighted by the 1978 single "Baker Street". His last solo album, Another World, was released in 2000; since then, he had kept a low profile.

Rafferty's family tells The Guardian that he died at home peacefully with his daughter Martha this morning after "a long illness." He was 63.


LA Weekly reports that Mick Karn, the bassist for the 1970s synth pop band Japan, has passed away as well. The Weekly cites a statement on Karn's official website (which is currently down) saying that Karn passed away this afternoon in London after fighting cancer. He was 52. Karn also worked with Peter Murphy, Kate Bush, and Gary Numan.


"Words like conviction can turn into a sentence"

Gads they're dropping like flies. Gerry Rafferty too.

Paul Rymer on the japanpioneers mailing list compiled these tweets:

"Here are some official tweets which came in *just* between the hours of 11pm and midnight tonight UK (Tuesday).

INGRID CHAVEZ
I never met Mr. Karn but his presence was part of my life all of these years through David. It's a sad day. R.I.P Mick, your music lives on.

THOMAS DOLBY
RIP Mick Karn, one of the most influential bassists ever. Japan's Tin Drum was huge for me. Sad day.

NICK BEGGS (KAJAGOOGOO)
Very sad to hear about Mick Karn's death today. Also Gerry Rafferty. RIP. xx

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
Echo & The Bunnymen would like to pass on their condolences to the family and friends of Mick Karn. A great man who will be missed.

PORCUPINE TREE
Our friend Mick Karn passed away today. Mick was a unique individual and extraordinary musician, he will be much missed.

CURT SMITH (TEARS FOR FEARS)
RIP Mick Karn also Japan's Tin Drum album was a huge influence during the recording of "The Hurting"

EROL ALKAN (DJ)
Goodbye Mick Karn, one of the greatest bass players of all time. RIP

JUDIE TZUKE
Just listened to "ghosts" RIP Mick Karn sleep tight x

MIKE SCOTT (THE WATERBOYS)
I hope Gerry Rafferty and Mick Karn form a band up there. RIP.

JUAN ALDERETE (THE MARS VOLTA)
Mick Karn had such a huge impact on me. I am so in debt to him."

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http://twitter. com/#search? q=Mick%20Karn

so sad . rest well, mick. i'll always love your music!

http://www.mickkarn.net/

http://duranduranboard.proboards.com/in ... read=25906

Glad to see such nice comments about Mick Karn--especially from Duran and John Taylor. If I had a buck for everytime someone I know confused those bands--I'd have about 10 bucks, but still.

RIP Mick. Tin Drum and Gentlemen Take Poloroids are in high rotation with me right now

very sad ;(

I wrote an appreciation piece on Karn last night simply because I was moved to, and because some of the mainstream coverage was so weak. Pitchfork's blink-of-an-eye mention managed to both shortchange Karn's multi-instrumentalist skills and kind of misrepresent Japan's music.

Synthpop? That's all Japan was? As an extreme generalization, okay. But this isn't Billboard Online. Pitchfork (and its ilk) prides itself on extreme music elitism, and it should've tried harder. No one's going to buy a Japan reissue off that kind of weak effort.

John Taylor's piece was wonderful. Heartfelt and respectful.

Mine is here: http://thegoldenyear.wordpress.com/2011 ... mmickkarn/

Mileage varies. But whomever's reading this was a Mick Karn fan and probably feels let down by the coverage.



----Len in Toronto

I am very sad to hear of Mick Karn's passing. Criminally, I wasn't exposed to Japan until I watched the Visions of China video on MTV in the early 80's when Simon and Nick from Duran Duran were guest VJ's. I've been a huge fan of Japan and their various solo projects ever since.

Mick's bass work is extremely distinctive and no one else sounds quite like him. He will be sorely missed.