Former Scorpions Bassist Francis Buchholz Dies at 71 After Cancer Battle: 'Our Hearts Are Shattered' Ilana KaplanJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:43 PM 0 Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Francis Buchholz in 1990 in Munich Former Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz has died at the age of 71 "It is with overwhelming sadness and heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved Francis passed away yesterday after a private battle with cancer," his family wrote in a Facebook post on Friday, Jan.
- - Former Scorpions Bassist Francis Buchholz Dies at 71 After Cancer Battle: 'Our Hearts Are Shattered'
Ilana KaplanJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:43 PM
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Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty
Francis Buchholz in 1990 in Munich -
Former Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz has died at the age of 71
"It is with overwhelming sadness and heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved Francis passed away yesterday after a private battle with cancer," his family wrote in a Facebook post on Friday, Jan. 23
Buchholz joined Scorpions in 1973 and left the band in 1992
Former Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz has died. He was 71.
According to his family, who confirmed the news of his death in a Facebook post on Friday, Jan. 23, the late musician died on Thursday, Jan. 22 after a "private battle with cancer."
"It is with overwhelming sadness and heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved Francis passed away yesterday after a private battle with cancer. He departed this world peacefully, surrounded by love," the statement began.
Getty
Francis Buchholz in December 2015 in London
It continued, "Our hearts are shattered. Throughout his fight with cancer, we stayed by his side, facing every challenge as a family - exactly the way he taught us.
The family then shared their gratitude for his "fans around the world."
"We want to thank you 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," the statement read.
It concluded, "Though the strings have gone silent, his soul remains in every note he played and in every life he touched. With love and gratitude, Hella, Sebastian, Louisa and Marietta."
Born in Hanover, Germany in 1954, Buchholz discovered rock music at the early age of 11. By the time he was 15, he joined a band as a bass player in high school.
In 1972, he became a member of the band Dawn Road with Uli Jon Roth, Jürgen Rosenthal, and Achim Kirschning. The four of them merged into Scorpions alongside Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker the following year.
Buchholz performed on every album with the German hard rock band released from 1974's Fly to the Rainbow to 1990's Crazy World. His riffs were featured on hits like"Still Loving You," "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and "Wind of Change."
He remained with Scorpions until 1992 until he left the group.
Gie Knaeps/Getty
Francis Buchholz, Matthias Jabs, Herman Rarebell, Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker of Scorpions in October 1991 in Gent, Belgium
Between 2005 and 2006, Buchholz reunited with Roth for a tour throughout Europe and the U.S. He later worked with the band Dreamtide as their bassist and co-producer on their album Dream and Deliver in 2008
Buchholz later joined former Scorpions lead guitarist Michael Schenker for Michael Schenker Group and Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock.
He was featured on two albums with Temple of Rock, 2013's Bridge the Gap and 2015's Spirit on a Mission.
on People
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Source: Entertainment
Published: January 23, 2026 at 11:46AM on Source: OPERA MAG
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