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Michael Kemner, Founding Bassist of Fehlfarben, Dies of Cancer-Related Illness at 72

His basslines, from early DAF to Fehlfarben's Monarchie und Alltag, shaped West German post‑punk.

Overview

  • German outlets confirmed he died on January 3 in Berlin from a cancer‑related illness, with the news made public this week.
  • He co‑founded Fehlfarben in 1979 and supplied the signature bass riffs that anchored the album Monarchie und Alltag.
  • Before Fehlfarben, he played in DAF and co‑composed Kebabträume, later reworked by Fehlfarben as Militürk.
  • He left Fehlfarben in 1981 to form Mau Mau and other projects, then rejoined during the band’s 1990s reunification and subsequent comeback.
  • He had stepped back from live shows over the past 18 months, with Michi Beckmann filling in as colleagues praised his modest manner and distinctive playing.