Sad news hit the rock world today. Francis Buchholz, the longtime bassist for Scorpions, has passed away. He was 71 years old.
His family shared the news on Friday, January 23, 2026. They said he died the day before, on January 22, after a long and private fight with cancer. He passed peacefully, surrounded by love from his family.
Buchholz was a big part of what made Scorpions huge. He joined the German band in 1973. That was right when they started to blow up around the world. His bass playing helped create their famous hard rock sound. It was deep, strong, and full of melody.
He played on some of the band’s biggest albums. Think Fly to the Rainbow in 1974, where he first appeared. Then came Lovedrive in 1979, Blackout in 1982, and Love at First Sting in 1984. Those records had monster hits like “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “Still Loving You.” Later, he was on Crazy World in 1990, which gave us the huge song “Wind of Change.” That track became a symbol of big changes, like the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Buchholz stayed with Scorpions until 1992. During those years, the band went from local heroes to global stars. His style on bass kept the rhythm tight and powerful. It helped drive those anthems that fans still scream along to today.
After leaving the band, he did not stop playing. He worked as a music advisor. He also joined up with old bandmates Herman Rarebell and Michael Schenker for Michael Schenkerโs Temple of Rock. They toured a lot โ Europe, North America, South America, even Japan. He kept the rock spirit alive and reached new fans.
His family spoke from the heart. They said, “During his fight against cancer, we remained by his side, facing each challenge as a family, just as he taught us. He was a family man from head to toe, and our pain is indescribable.” His wife Hella, son Sebastian, and daughters Louisa and Marietta asked for privacy while they grieve. They thanked everyone for the support and kind words.
Scorpions posted their own message too. They called him a longtime friend and said his legacy will live on forever. “Our hearts go out to Hella, his family, and friends. R.I.P. Francis,” they wrote from Klaus, Rudolf, and Matthias.
Fans are sharing memories online. Many remember his bass lines that stood out in live shows. Others talk about seeing Scorpions in the 80s with him on stage. The rock community feels this loss hard.
Just recently, Scorpions marked their 60th anniversary with a live album called Coming Home Live. It was recorded in Hannover and honors the band’s history, including members like Buchholz.
Buchholz’s music touched millions. His work helped put German hard rock on the map. Songs he helped create still play on radio, in movies, and at concerts everywhere.