Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz has died at the age of 71

Beloved Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholzwhatever played for Michael Schenker‘s Temple of Rock band has died.

The German rock star died on Thursday after a private battle with cancer, his family announced on social media on Friday. They noted that he “left this world peacefully, surrounded by love” and thanked fans for their continued support over the years.

Francis was a lifelong musician, who started playing bass in a high school band. He came together with Uli Jon Roth, Jurgen Rosenthal And Achim Kirschning in the early ’70s to form a band called Dawn Road… and eventually they joined Scorpions Klaus Meine And Rudolf Schenker.

Francis’ first release with Scorpions was 1974’s ‘Fly to the Rainbow’… and he was involved in all their projects up to and including ‘Crazy World’ in the 1990s. They are best known for their 1984 rock anthem “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and the 1990 ballad “Wind of Change”.

Francis left the band in 1992, but teamed up with Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock to play bass on their 2012 tour. He contributed to Temple of Rock’s 2013 album “Bridge the Gap” and 2015’s “Spirit on a Mission.”

He was 71.