Tributes paid after death of techno co-founder Juan Atkins, age 64: “A true visionary who opened the door for so many of us”

Tributes have been paid following the death of techno pioneer Juan Atkins, who has passed away aged 64. News of his passing was confirmed by his agency, Greensmith Artists, to Resident Advisor yesterday (Sunday November 1). They revealed that the Detroit techno pioneer was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Mexico City ahead of a show there. He was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead. Atkins was best known for his unique, mechanistic approach to electronic music. He was recognised as one half of the duo Cybotron and for releasing music solo under the moniker Model 500. View this post on Instagram He was born in Detroit in 1962 before moving to Michigan as a child and meeting Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, with whom he formed his first group, the Belleville Three. It was in high school that he formed Cybotron with Richard Davis, and they went on to release dancefloor classics including ‘Cosmic Cars’ and ‘Clear’ before splitting in 1985. ‘Clear’ continued to be a hit, and Missy Elliot famously sampled it in her song ‘Lose Control’. Tributes have been paid since his passing, including from Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield who shared a comment recognising his contributions to...