Unrepeated: Damo Suzuki's improvisations in music and life
The legendary Japanese vocalist made his name with the pioneering band Can. Now 72, and despite over 40 operations for cancer, he is still performing.
Vocalist Damo Suzuki was born in Japan in 1950, but his desire to explore the world saw him move to Sweden as a teenager. He spent the next few years busking in an improvised style on the streets of various European towns and cities. A chance encounter in Munich with the pioneering German band Can led to him being asked to join them as their new vocalist, and he appeared on stage that same day. But Damo left Can when they were at their peak, shunning fame for a simpler life bringing up a family and working as a hotel receptionist. Later, facing the same cancer that killed his father, he made a radical return to music, and credits it with saving his life.
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Patrick Kiteley
(Photo: Damo Suzuki performs on stage at The Harley, Sheffield. Credit:Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns)
Last on
Broadcasts
- Thu 22 Dec 2022 12:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
- Thu 22 Dec 2022 18:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Thu 22 Dec 2022 23:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Fri 23 Dec 2022 00:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service South Asia
- Fri 23 Dec 2022 03:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except South Asia
Contact Outlook
Info on how we might use your contribution on air
Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary
Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected