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Farewell, Mick Karn...
2:00 PM GMT 06/01/2011
Mick Karn, the bass player who helped define Japan's sound, succumbed to cancer on Tuesday at his home in London. He was 52.
A message posted on his website read: "It's with profound sadness that we have to inform you that Mick finally lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully at 4.30pm today, 4th January 2011 at home in Chelsea, London. He was surrounded by his family and friends and will be deeply missed by all."
Born Andonis Michaelides in Nicosia, Cyprus, Karn's family moved to London when he was three. He began attending Catford Boys' School where he learned the bassoon before his instrument was stolen and he switched to the bass. He quickly started playing music with fellow pupils David Sylvian, Richard Barbieri and Steve Jansen. The four would emerge as Japan in 1974, styling themselves as South London's very own New York Dolls and channelling the sounds of the glam aristocracy (Bowie, Roxy Music, T. Rex).
After a few false starts, the group eventually signed to the Hansa label and released their first single, a snarlingly camp cover of Barbra Streisand's Don't Rain On My Parade, in 1978. The track bombed but the band's hard-edged debut album Adolescent Sex saw them garner an audience in Holland and, unsurprisingly, in Japan. A second album, Obscure Alternatives followed and fared little better but marked a progression which was fully realized on 1979's Quiet Life where Karn's lithe fretless bass playing came into its own as Japan's sound became more futuristic and expansive.
Japan's genuine success came when they signed to Virgin, underwent a new wave image overhaul and released 1980's Gentlemen Take Polaroids and 1981's orchestrated masterwork, Tin Drum. The latter in particular blended synth-pop, ambient music and ECM-styled atmospherics and featured one of Karn's most memorable moments in the form of the bass-led Sons Of Pioneers which he co-wrote. The album - one of the most adventurous and progressive pop albums of the '80s - also spawned the band's most successful single, Ghosts, which entered the Top 5. Despite their success, tensions within the band meant that Japan split in 1982.
Karn released his first solo album, Titles, in 1982, his unique bass playing style soon seeing him record with everyone from Jeff Beck to Gary Numan; Kate Bush to Pete Townshend; Midge Ure to Joan Armatrading. In 1984, he joined forces with Pete Murphy and Paul Lawford to form Dali's Car. They released their only album, the Eastern-influenced The Waking Hour, later that year. He spent the next few years mainly ensconced in the world of Jazz, collaborating with, among others, guitarist David Torn and King Crimson's Bill Bruford. Japan then reformed for a one-off album (1991's Rain Tree Crow) before Karn signed to German jazz label CMP, releasing three albums and becoming the stable's best-selling artist.
Later, alongside old Japan comrades Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri, Karn set up the Medium Productions label and released a series of LPs throughout the last decade, including 2001's Each Eye A Path.
An utterly original and inventive player, Karn was described by Duran Duran's John Taylor as "one of the great visual and sound stylists of the late-70s/early-80s."
MOJO would like to extend our condolences to Mick's family, friends and bandmates.
Japan - Sons Of Pioneers
Photo: Getty Images
Posted by Ross_Bennett at 2:00 PM GMT 06/01/2011
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Comments
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Much too soon. I am so so sorry for this loss. His work on the bass guitar is instantly recognizable. I think John Taylor is right in his tribute. As a member of Japan, Mick Karn was really one of the most influential musicians of his time.
Posted by Bengt, Norway at 4:26 PM GMT 07/01/2011 Report Abuse
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So sad to lose such a music legend. There are so many music fans who aren't even familiar with this genius. I'm quite sure that Mick will continue to influence and bewilder long after his untimely passing. God bless his family and rest in peace Mr. Michaelides.
Posted by Logie at 7:03 AM GMT 08/01/2011 Report Abuse
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So sad to lose such a music legend. There are so many music fans who aren't even familiar with this genius. I'm quite sure that Mick will continue to influence and bewilder long after his untimely passing. God bless his family and rest in peace Mr. Michaelides.
Posted by Logie at 7:04 AM GMT 08/01/2011 Report Abuse
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Sad to hear, Japan were an ear and mind opening experience to me when I heard them, still some of my favourite albums. rest in peace Mick.
Posted by JB at 12:47 PM GMT 08/01/2011 Report Abuse
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Sad to hear, Japan were an ear and mind opening experience to me when I heard them, still some of my favourite albums. rest in peace Mick.
Posted by JB at 12:49 PM GMT 08/01/2011 Report Abuse
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Mick Karne played the Bass-line to the soundtrack of my youth. God bless.
Posted by Guy Jones at 3:56 PM GMT 08/01/2011 Report Abuse
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Last weekend I listened Oil On Canvas, by Japan, and the soul and the spirit of Karn is so intense.
Beauty bless you, Mick!!
Posted by Jesus Quintero at 9:37 PM GMT 10/01/2011 Report Abuse
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he will be missed a lot....and we will hear him again in our visions of sound and dreams....
Posted by Igor at 11:13 AM GMT 13/01/2011 Report Abuse
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Mick - love to you - I am still amazed at the talent, self taught and your wind instrument playing still sends goose pimples down my spine let alone the bass. You were inspiring to a young man finding his own way and interests in life - love always x
Posted by paul at 10:58 PM GMT 13/01/2011 Report Abuse
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Its been said by many and I'll say it here, Mick Karn was the best fretless base player of the last 30 years. RIP Mick, you provided the baseline soundtrack to my early 20's and beyond. My sincere condolences to your family.
Posted by Anonymous at 11:27 PM GMT 15/01/2011 Report Abuse
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An original voice on the fretless Love Bestial cluster, however , is praise from duran duran the best you could do?
Moonmad Canada.
Posted by Anonymous at 10:52 PM GMT 25/01/2011 Report Abuse
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A truly unique voice on Fretless Bass, when so many just held it for the look. Love Bestial Cluster, but is praise from duran duran the best you could do?
Posted by moonmad at 10:54 PM GMT 25/01/2011 Report Abuse
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