Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928 - 2007)

Karlheinz Stockhausen, a pioneer of electronic music, died yesterday of unknown causes (cause of death was not disclosed). Stockhausen was widely considered one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. Around the middle part of the century, as serial techniques grew ever more demanding on performers, and therefore less practical, Stockhausen, along such composers as Pierre Schaeffer, Edgard Varese, Milton Babbitt, and Iannis Xenakis began exploring methods of creating music electronically, initially through the manipulation of tape loops, musique concrète, and eventually with synthesizers and computers. Stockhausen's electronic compositions resonated with popular artists such as The Beatles (see "Revolution 9" from the White Album), Frank Zappa, and Pink Floyd, all of whom increasingly began incorporating electronic elements into their music as the century advanced, and all have cited Stockhausen as an influence. Some of Stockhausen's students also went on to become quite influential in their own right. Members of the experimental krautrock group Can studied with Stockhausen, as did electronic music giants Kraftwerk. His influence can still be heard all over the place in today's music. Artists such as Squarepusher, Aphex Twin, Radiohead, Bjork, Sonic Youth, and many others embrace electronic techniques pioneered by Stockhausen. He was truly a legend. Check out the incredible website StockhausenMusic.com to hear some of his work, and click here to read a well-written and very informative obituary.