Francis Buchholz, the original bassist of SCORPIONS and a key figure behind the band’s powerful rhythmic foundation during their rise to worldwide fame, died on January 22nd 2026, at the age of 75. His family confirmed that he died peacefully after a private struggle with cancer.
His family said in a joint statement: “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. He was a family man through and through, and our grief is beyond words”.
Francis is survived by his wife Hella, his son Sebastian, and his twin daughters Louisa and Marietta. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time as they mourn his passing.
Buchholz was the bass player of Scorpions from 1973 until 1992, contributing his solid bass lines to the band’s distinctive sound and to several classic songs of the German legends. His first album with Scorpions was “Fly to the Rainbow” (1974). In 1992, not long after SCORPIONS hit their commercial high point with “Crazy World” (1992) and hit songs like “Send Me An Angel” and “Wind of Change”, Buchholz chose to step back from life in the spotlight. His decision came soon after the birth of his twin daughters.
After his departure from Scorpions, he went on to be a member of Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock.
Rest in Peace, Francis.
