Francis Buchholz, the former bassist of hard rock band Scorpions, passed away on January 22 after a private battle with cancer, his family announced on social media
19:13, 24 Jan 2026Updated 19:13, 24 Jan 2026
Francis Buchholz passed away on January 22(Image: Redferns via Getty Images)
A rock star with iconic band Scorpions has died at the age of 71 following a battle with cancer, his family told fans.
Francis Buchholz, a German musician and former bassist of the hard rock band Scorpions, was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed away on January 22. The musician was part of the band during some of its most successful years, but parted ways with his bandmates following a dispute in 1992.
His family revealed the news of his death on social media. They wrote in a heartbreaking statement: “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.
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He was a member of German rock band Scorpions(Image: Getty Images)
“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. To 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. 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.”
Scorpions also shared a tribute to Buchholz, saying: “We have just received the very sad news that our longtime friend and bass player, Francis Buchholz, has passed away. His legacy with the band will live on forever, and we will always remember the many good times we have shared together.”
He split from the band in 1992(Image: Getty Images)
Born in Hanover, West Germany, in 1954, Buchholz first played in the rock band Dawn Road, before joining Scorpions on 1974’s Fly to the Rainbow. He worked on the band’s era-defining albums, including Lovedrive, Blackout, Love at First Sting, and the live albums Tokyo Tapes and World Wide Live.
In an interview with Brave Words, he spoke about Scorpions’ influence at the end of the Cold War, saying: “We still had the Iron Curtain in Europe when I was a boy. Living in Germany at this time there was always this great threat of a third World War between Russia and America.
“I was always afraid of the Russians coming over the border in Eastern Germany. … Then, playing in Moscow at the Peace Festival back in the ‘90s, we were invited to the Kremlin by Mr. [Mikahil] Gorbachev, Russia’s President at that time, and that was one of those great moments — to think we had achieved something like this just from doing what we love to do..”
The Scorpions, considered one of Germany’s most famous bands, were founded by guitarist Rudolf Schenker in 1965. They are known for their songs Rock You Like a Hurricane and Still Loving You.