Manuel Göttsching, krautrock pioneer behind Ash Ra Tempel, dies, aged 70
Göttsching's minimalist solo LP 'E2-E4' was famously played at full-length by Larry Levan at Paradise Garage
Manuel Göttsching, the krautrock pioneer behind the Ash Ra Tempel and Ashra projects, has died, aged 70.
News of Göttsching's passing on 4th December was shared by the group in a statement via Ashra's website.
"Surrounded by his family, Manuel Göttsching passed away peacefully on December 4th, 2022. The void he leaves behind we want to fill with his music and loving memories. 'When your fingers touched the strings of a guitar, the world stood still. May it stands still and bring you back to us whenever we hear you play'", the statement reads.
Led by guitarist Göttsching, with drummer Klaus Schulze and bassist Hartmut Enke, Ash Ra Tempel formed in 1970 and released their self-titled debut LP the following year. They collaborated with psychedelic figurehead Timothy Leary for their third album 'Seven Up' and composed the soundtrack to 'Le Berceau de Cristal' by French new wave director Philippe Garrel in 1975 before officially disbanding in 1976.
Göttsching struck out on his own following the group's dissolution, first releasing 'Inventions for Electric Guitar' (with the subtitle 'Ash Ra Tempel VI') in 1975 and then the minimalist LP 'E2-E4' in 1981, which comprises one hour-long track recorded using a sequencer. That piece went on to have some influence on the development of house and techno, and was notably played in full by Larry Levan at Paradise Garage. Listen to it, and read some tributes for Göttsching, below
