Can

Genres:	Pop / Rock
Descriptive "tags":	krautrock • experimental • psychedelic • progressive rock • german
Decades Active:	1990s • 2000s
Links online:	Official Homepage

Biography

Formed in Cologne, Germany and originally known as Inner Space, this innovative and influential experimental unit was founded by two students of modern classical music, Irmin Schmidt (29 May 1937, Berlin, Germany; keyboards) and Holger Czukay (b. 24 March 1938, Danzig, Germany; bass). They embraced certain elements of rock ‘n’ roll with the addition of Michael Karoli (b. 29 April 1948, Straubing, Lower Bavaria, Germany, d. 17 November 2001, Essen, Germany; guitar), Jaki Liebezeit (b. 26 May 1938, Dresden, Germany; drums) and the inclusion in this early line-up of David Johnson (flute). The arrival of black American vocalist Malcolm Mooney coincided with the adoption of a new name, Can.

Johnson left in December 1968 as the unit began work on their official debut album. Monster Movie introduced many of Can’s subsequent trademarks: Schmidt’s choppy, percussive keyboard style, Karoli’s incisive guitar and the relentless,...

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