Francis Buchholz, the longtime bass player for the Scorpions, has passed away at the age of 71. His family announced the sad news, sharing that he died after a private battle with cancer. They said, “It is with overwhelming sadness that we share the news that our beloved Francis passed away yesterday. He left this world peacefully, surrounded by love.”
In their message, Buchholz’s family expressed gratitude to his fans: “To his fans around the world, thank you for your unwavering loyalty and love. You gave him the world, and he gave you his music in return. Though the strings have gone silent, his soul remains in every note he played and in every life he touched.”
Buchholz joined the Scorpions in 1973 and stayed with the band until 1992. He played on 12 of their albums, starting with 1974’s *Fly to the Rainbow*. He was behind the bass lines of some of their biggest hits, including “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “Wind of Change.”
Members of the Scorpions, including Rudolf Schenker, Klaus Meine, and Matthias Jab, shared their condolences on social media. They wrote, “We have just received the very sad news that our longtime friend and bass player, Francis Buchholz, has passed away. His legacy with the band will live on forever, and we will always remember the good times we shared.”
Fans also took to social media to pay tribute. One follower commented, “’Longing for Fire’ has the best bass line from Scorpions. Rest in power, Francis.” Another added, “Thank you for all the moments you’ve been a part of my life. I listen to your music almost every day.”
