Benno
21/10/2019
Last year I stumbled across a cheap penguin souvenir statue and it reminded me of Mick's Penguin Cafe and his death... it made me feel profound sadness. I'm 15 now and Mick's playing and Japan as a whole have played such a large role in the last few years of my life. I recognize something profound in their music, a sort of melancholy, like looking at the world from a distance. I think it's because of the sparse instrumentation in Japan's music, and of course the lyrics.
I also love the picture where Mick points to the phrase "food for thought" on a cereal box with one finger and to his forehead with another. You know which one I mean :)
Guy Briguglio
18/10/2019
sad to discover by chance Micks passing.....what an amazing artist with a truly enduring and original pioneering sound.His "sound" lasts forever...and all us fans can take comfort that in this way he is immortal!!!
Amanda
16/10/2019
Sadly missed after all these years. Japan shaped my youth, from the age of 12 in 1982, I was totally mesmerised by Mick’s phenomenal bass playing. My sisters boyfriend drove me from Yorkshire down to London when I was just 13 to see Japan play at Hammersmith Odeon. I was crazy about them. An experience that lives with me today. I was mesmerised by Mick’s playing and “floating” across the stage. Japan carried me through my moody, angst teenage years. Though I follow new bands, music fills my house constantly and I still listen to Japan and Mick’s music to this day.. .Thank you. ❤️
Riley Dinwiddie
06/10/2019
Mick, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I got interested in Japan in late 2016 because of a friend, and within a day of learning about the band, I was instantly drawn to you because of your musical and artistic talents, your fashion, and your personality. I've been profoundly influenced by you and your work, and as an autistic person, it became a special interest for me, that I furiously researched and consumed. Unfortunately that same year I entered an abusive relationship with a person who was able to control me by isolating me from my passions and making me feel guilt for my interests, and I locked away my feelings for the 2 years that ensued.
Within the last couple of months, I finally obtained the means and the strength to leave this relationship, and I've been able to reclaim everything they took from me- most of all Japan, and you. I recently was finally able to buy your book, and have already laughed and cried so much. So much of your writing, especially your childhood, resonated deeply with me. I've dyed my hair like yours (one side red/pink, the other black), contemplated shaving my eyebrows (although I know this isn't a particularly smart idea), been collecting leopard prints to wear, and learning how to play bass.
I know I've never met you, and will never know you personally, but I feel like you are watching over me in some way. I want you to know that you are still inspiring so many young people, such as myself and my friends, who gush over your talent daily. I get so excited sharing your performances and your work with everyone around me, because they mean so much to me. At the time of writing this, I have just turned 23, and it still shakes me that at this age, you were recording Tin Drum, and some of my favorite basslines ever. Listening to your music, especially your solo work, comforts me deeply, and I wish you could have been fairly compensated for all the hard work and innovation you did. You have done so much for me without even trying to. Thank you for inspiring a young weird kid like me, and helping me feel okay with being different, and being passionate about music and art. I hope to someday finally meet you and thank you for being such a positive force in my life.
Team Mick Karn Forever,
Riley/Ozzie <3
Daniel Brooksbank
26/09/2019
I grew up with Japan and *that* sound and Mick Karn is so much missed. It grieves me that such a talent had such a short life but also one must appreciate the joy that he brought to so many. A life well lived, I hope.
It seemed so ephemeral at the time -- I was a student and had no concept of the the future life I would lead. But this has stood the test of time, but it's more than that: it's an attitude, a sense of... daring, of possibility, of individuality.
Now I am a little bit older and can put all this is into context. This music is something I always go back to; I can't believe how enduring it is. My thoughts are with all of you. Daniel
Peter Anderson
09/09/2019
Awesome bass player!
Juan
31/08/2019
I was 1st introduced to Mick via Dalis Car's debut album..which I purchased based purely on the cover. I was mesmerized by Karn's playing and how wonderfully it blended with Peter Murphy's vocals.
Through the years I encountered Karn's musical genius again again. I was lulled into a sense of wonderment as his fluid and silky bass lines morphed in and out of ambiguity on David Torn's "Lion of Boaz". His distinguishable yet never predictable playing with Japan, his work with Torn and Bozzio, the Jansen/Babieri collaborations, his eclectic solo work, all of it..amazing, sweet, organic, beautiful.
He is a unique voice in music which continues to inspire me as a musician and as an artist.
Michele Dall'Ara
24/07/2019
Hello!
I would like to post here today, on Mick's birthday anniversary.
No need t say Mick will be missed so much... still it is so hard for me to think he passed away.
I am so fond of his music and when i listen to his songs, well, my problems disappears in the background and i think i am very lucky i have the chance to enjoy his artistic work.
Thank you very much, Mick!
I miss you so much!
Michele from Italy
Wilma Zilver
15/07/2019
You are the best Bass player ever, Mick. An Icon, your music, talented in so many instruments.
Also an Icon in fashion, your style and looks. Forever in my heart.
Alastair
09/07/2019
Thank you so much Mick. I am 18, and have just picked up the bass guitar thanks to your inspirational playing. You had such a wonderful style and I am sad that I was too late to see you perform. I will remember you forever, and I will celebrate your music for as long as I am alive.
yumeko0127
07/07/2019
Hello, nice to meet you.
I am posting from Japan.
There are still some parts that I cannot speak English, so I will write them in Japanese.
私がミックさんを知ったのは2年ぐらい前、19歳ぐらいの時でした。たまたま、インターネットで他のことを調べたら偶然、ミックさんやJAPANが関連に出てきました。興味本位でそのまま、調べてたり聴いたりしていくうちにどんどん、魅了されていき、いつしかはミックさんみたいにベース弾いてみたい！
そう思うようになっていきました。
ミックさんや、ミックさんのベースにとても感謝しています。ありがとうございます。
偶然でもミックさんの音楽に出会えたことに。
ミックさんのご家族の方、ご友人の方々
暑い日々が続くと思いますが、お体お大事にして下さい。
Marc Paxton
26/06/2019
I am kind of an oldster, late to Mick Karn’s game, one eye on my own horizon. I found a few copies, Rain Tree Crow, JBK; then I obtained ‘the book.’ Persisting on to finding more in MK’s solo repertoire, I find I have quite much of it now. I kept thinking along the way, “that’s probably it,” but each time, each album, each listen there was something still, musically, emotionally (emotively), that drew me still farther along his apparent travels; his Path. So this public note simply pays my own private homage to a singularly interesting man, musician, human traveler - possibly much more so in his instance, these are all inseparable. So I very much appreciate Mick Karn and I extend my well wishes to his own spirit, to his family and to his bandmates then and now. Peace.
Anthony Goldthorpe
16/06/2019
Hi.
Its a quiet ,sunny, still morning here in Yorkshire and been the obsessive music lover I am, headphones on and playing some of my favourite tracks from the years gone by I was reminded of Micks brilliance once again . I have the track sensitive playing through my headphones listening to every note Mick is playing its so relaxing . Thanks Mick for giving us the enjoyment of your wonderful talent . God bless .
René
31/03/2019
Fine new interview with Steve Jansen, who speaks about his relationship with Mick: https://www.innerviews.org/inner/steve-jansen
K.S
30/03/2019
I really miss him a lot... wish I could see him playing the bass in the flesh..
