Can (band)

Can ("The Can" until 1970) was an experimental rock music / Psychedelic music / Art rock / krautrock group founded in Germany in 1968. They found little success in conventional terms, but they were one of the major Krautrock bands, an "anarchist community" who have had a great influence on modern rock and electronic music.

Miscellaneous facts

• When preparing a soundtrack, only Irmin Schmidt would view the film and then give the rest of the band a general description of the scenes they would be scoring. This assisted in the soundtrack being successful both inside and outside the film's context.
• Although Can's sound has always been ahead of its time, they did not use multi-track recorders until 1975.
• Irmin Schmidt's wife Hildegard has managed the band and handled all the bands financial affairs since 1974.
• Damo Suzuki's debut performance with Can in 1970 nearly frightened an audience to the point of rioting due to his odd style of vocalizing. David Niven, of Pink Panther fame, was amongst the crowd who remained to hear what Can and Damo would do next.
• Can made attemps to find a new vocalist after the departure of Damo Suzuki, although no one quite fit the position. One such vocalist, Michael Cousins, toured with Can in April, 1976. Audience members dissapproved of his presence and literally spat at him while on stage. The only available recording with Cousins is the Live Hannover 1976 bootleg.
• In 1976, folksinger Tim Hardin took the lead vocal spot with Can for one song, performing his classic The Lady Came From Baltimore.
• John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), formerly of the Sex Pistols formed Public Image Limited patterned after Can's early 70's line-up. Lydon wanted to join Can in 1979 as the group decided to disband.