Edgar Friese of Tangerine Dream has died unexpectedly after suffering a pulmonary embolism in the Austrian capital, Vienna. Tangerine Dream were formed in West Berlin, where Edgar had studied art. The Band were labelled as part of the Krautrock scene which also produced bands such as NEU!, Can and Kraftwerk. Tangerine Dream didn’t share the nuances as other Krautrock bands so they developed a synth heavy, celestial style to fit their piece into the Krautrock puzzle. They are widely credited as a major influence on electronic music due to their innovative use of synthesizers.
Over their lifespan, the band released over 100 albums and were one of the first bands to sign to Richard Branson’s Virgin Records. it was shortly after signing to Virgin, that the band released their 1974 album Phaedra, which is generally thought of as the bands masterpiece. As well as studio and live releases the band also scored many films including Tom Cruise’s breakthrough film Risky Business and more recently, provided music for video game Grand Theft Auto V.
Edgar was one of those rarities in life who changed things and influence so many people but stayed out of the limelight and left a story that is so interesting but known by so few. It was posted on the bands Facebook that Edgar had quite aptly said about death, “there is no death, there is just a change of our cosmic address”.
#Peace.Love.EdgarFroese
