Former Scorpions Bassist Francis Buchholz Dies At 71 After Cancer Battle
 | Mon, January 26, 2026 at 8:49 AM |
Francis Buchholz, the bassist who played on Scorpions' biggest hits including "Rock You Like a Hurricane," "No One Like You," "Big City Nights," and "Wind of Change," died Thursday (January 22) at 71 following a private cancer battle. "He departed this world peacefully, surrounded by love," his family announced on social media. They thanked fans "for your unwavering loyalty, your love, and the belief you placed in him throughout his incredible journey. You gave him the world, and he gave you his music in return. Though the strings have gone silent, his soul remains in every note he played and in every life he touched."
Born January 19, 1950, in Hanover, West Germany, Buchholz joined Scorpions for their 1974 album, Fly to the Rainbow, and helped drive their biggest successes through the 1980s. His bass work was featured on a run of platinum-selling albums from the German hard rock legends, including Blackout (1982) which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, Love at First Sting (1984) which reached No. 6, and Savage Amusement (1988) which climbed to No. 5. Buchholz left the band in 1992, later touring with former Scorpions guitarists Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker.
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Scorpions paid tribute to their former bandmate in an Instagram post on Friday (Jan. 23) by writing, "His legacy with the band will live on forever, and we will always remember the many good times we have shared together." Buchholz is survived by his wife, Hella, and their three children: a son, Sebastian, and twin daughters, Louisa and Marietta.
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