German musician Holger Czukay, co founder of Can, dies at 79

Crzukay co-founded Can in 1968. The band mixed rock, jazz and classical influences with complex harmonies and electronic effects, and was a precursor of New Wave and other music. (Photo: Can – Spoon Records/Facebook)

BERLIN — Holger Czukay, the co-founder and bassist of avant-garde band Can and a one-time student of composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, has been found dead. He was 79.

News agency dpa reported that police in Euskirchen, near Cologne, said Wednesday Czukay’s body was found in an apartment in nearby Weilerswist. There was no immediate word on the cause of death.

Czukay co-founded Can in 1968. The band mixed rock, jazz and classical influences with complex harmonies and electronic effects, and was a precursor of New Wave and other music.

He left Can in 1977 and embarked on a solo career, working with artists including Brian Eno, David Sylvian and the Eurythmics.