Juan Atkins, a pioneer of Detroit techno and a founding member of Cybotron, has died at age 64. He was found unresponsive in his Mexico City hotel room before a scheduled Oct. 31 set. An official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Juan Atkins, a pioneer of Detroit techno and a founding member of Cybotron, has died at age 64. His booking agency said on Sunday that Atkins, who helped create techno with school friends in suburban Detroit in the 1980s, had died. His management company, Greensmith Artists, confirmed the news on Instagram on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Found in his hotel room
A Greensmith Artists representative said Atkins was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Mexico City before a planned performance at YuYu Cine Club, and was later pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital. He had been scheduled to perform on October 31. An official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Tributes
Kevin Saunderson shared the news on Facebook and called Atkins the originator of Techno. He called the news heartbreaking and said Atkins showed him how to finish his first record, "Triangle of Love." Saunderson also described Atkins as a true visionary who opened the door for many, himself included. Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield issued a statement honoring Atkins, saying he opened doors for generations of Detroit artists.
The Belleville Three
Atkins was born in Detroit in 1962 and grew up in Belleville, Michigan. He met Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson in junior high, and the three became known as the Belleville Three, credited as architects of the Detroit techno sound. Atkins bought his first synthesizer, a Korg MS-10, when he turned 15.
Cybotron and Model 500
Atkins formed Cybotron with Richard Davis in 1980, and their first album, "Enter," came out in 1983. The 1983 single "Clear" sold 50,000 copies and was later sampled by Missy Elliott, including on 2005's "Lose Control". The duo split in 1985. That year Atkins began recording solo as Model 500 and founded the Metroplex label. His record "No UFO's" is credited with carrying Detroit techno across the Atlantic. His track "Techno Music" gave the genre its name.
Later work
Atkins also recorded as Infiniti, including the 1998 album Skynet, and as Audio Tech. He released albums with Moritz von Oswald as Borderland. In 2023 he revived Cybotron with Berlin producer Laurens von Oswald, releasing new music on the Tresor label and performing live.
