Francis Buchholz, the original bassist of Scorpions, has died at age 75. His family confirmed he passed away peacefully on January 22 following a private battle with cancer.

Buchholz was a founding member of the band’s classic lineup alongside Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker, Matthias Jabs, and Herman Rarebell. Through the 1970s and 1980s, his precise, melodic bass work helped define Scorpions’ sound, balancing hard-rock power with anthemic hooks and ballads.

His playing is heard on some of the band’s most enduring songs, including “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” “Still Loving You,” and “Wind Of Change,” the latter becoming an unofficial anthem of the fall of the Berlin Wall and one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Buchholz stepped away from the band in 1992 following the release of Crazy World, choosing to leave the road behind at the height of Scorpions’ commercial success to focus on family life.

Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt paid tribute on social media, calling Buchholz an idol and praising him as one of rock’s most modest bass players.

During his time with the band, Scorpions sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, earning Buchholz over 50 gold and platinum awards.

He is survived by his wife Hella, son Sebastian, and twin daughters Louisa and Marietta. His family has requested privacy while they grieve.