Damo Suzuki
, better known as Damo Suzuki (ダモ鈴木), is a Japanese musician who has been living in Germany since the early 1970s and is best known as the former lead singer of the krautrock group Can. Biography. As a teenager, Suzuki spent the late 1960s wandering around Europe, often busking. When Malcolm Mooney left Can after recording their first album "Monster Movie", Holger Czukay and Jaki Liebezeit encountered Suzuki busking in Munich, Germany, whilst the two were sitting outside at a street café. They invited him to join the group, and he did, performing with them that evening. Suzuki was  with Can from 1970 to 1973, recording a number of well-regarded albums such as "Tago Mago", "Future Days" and "Ege Bamyası". Suzuki's first vocal performance with Can was "Don't Turn the Light On, Leave Me Alone" from "Soundtracks". His freeform, often improvised lyrics, were sung in no particular language. Suzuki departed from the band in 1973, and took a hiatus from music for the following decade while working other jobs. He returned to music in 1983, and currently leads what is known as "Damo Suzuki's Network" – as he tours, he performs live improvisational music with various  local musicians, so-called "Sound Carriers". The Fall's 1985 album "This Nation's Saving Grace" features a song "I Am Damo Suzuki," inspired by the singer. The rock band The Mooney Suzuki takes its name from Damo Suzuki and Can's earlier vocalist Malcolm Mooney. Since 1997 he has been touring or playing separate gigs. Personal life. Suzuki lives in Cologne, although he has played more shows in the United Kingdom and has stated that British audiences are more receptive to his music than German ones. He met his wife Elke Morsbach in Cologne in 1985. Suzuki was diagnosed  with colon cancer in 2014. The documentary "Energy" explores Suzuki's battle with cancer and relationship with Morsbach. During his hiatus from music, Suzuki became a Jehovah's Witness, but later left the organisation and now considers himself a believer in the Bible without being a member of any denomination or church. When asked about his political views, Suzuki expressed a dislike of American politics and the American police system. Suzuki also expressed a positive view of Brexit and expressed a strong preference for localism over economic globalization. In the same interview, he was critical of the European Union, preferring  the sovereignty of smaller nations and regionalism. Discography. Damo Suzuki performs on the following albums: