Legendary DJ and producer Thomas Brückner, aka Tomcraft, has died aged 49.
The news was confirmed on Brückner’s Instagram, by his wife, Brine, and his three children Max, Amelie and Sophie. They shared an image of Brückner performing, alongside a message.
“With a heavy heart we need to inform you that yesterday, [July 15] our beloved father and husband has passed away.
“We will forever carry you in our hearts and love you until we’re reunited again. Sincerely, your family. Bine, Max, Amelie and Sophie.”
Brückner, who came from Munich, Germany, has been credited as a significant contributor to the trance and progressive trance scenes of the ’90s and early ’00s. His singles, ‘Prosac’, ‘Overdose’, and ‘The Mission’ were released to acclaim, but it was ‘Loneliness’ that he was best known for. The track was released in 2002, and eventually topped the UK Singles charts in May 2003.
Last year, ‘Loneliness’ saw renewed popularity after it was featured on the Saltburn soundtrack.
Brückner released four albums during his career: ‘All I Got’ (2001), ‘MUC’ (2003), ‘HyperSexyConscious’ (2006), and ‘For the Queen’ (2007). Following the success of ‘Loneliness’, he performed in front of 1.3 million people at Berlin s Love Parade in 2003. Throughout his career played shows across the world, performing to crowds in Brazil, Japan, and South Africa.
In 2005, he launched Craft Music, a record label that released underground music in the techno, electro and house scenes. The label signed artists such as Lutzenkirchen, Coburn, Oliver Koletzki, The Egg, and Ramon Tapia.
Tributes have been pouring in from across the dance music world. DJ Judge Jules, who has been credited for his instrumental role in the popularity of ‘Loneliness’ after he repeatedly played it on his BBC Radio 1 show in 2003, shared a tribute to Brückner, calling him a “lovely guy” who “made one of the greatest records ever”.
German producer Westbam has also shared his condolences, writing in a Facebook post: “[Brückner] had fantastic new music coming and was very much looking forward to playing with all of us at Rave The Planet. As we know now, that wasn ˜t to be.” He added that news of Brückner’s death was “truly heartbreaking”.
RIP Tomcraft. Lovely guy, who made one of the greatest records ever pic.twitter.com/HGqTbKJOzS
— Judge Jules (@RealJudgeJules) July 17, 2024
Found this picture in my archive of Thomas Brueckner a.k.a. #Tomcraft. I took this pic when he was playing at Ultrashock @ Aquabest, Best (NL) on September 6, 2003. RIP pic.twitter.com/FgwjBOgwby
— Twan (@Twann0) July 16, 2024
Our good friend DJ Tomcraft has passed away at only 49. I played together with him in Rügen just 2 weeks ago. He had a…
Posted by Westbam on Tuesday, July 16, 2024
The first time I heard, " Tomcraft – Loneliness" was in Dannos' nightclub in Clonmel. I RAN to the DJ to ask him what the name of it was. Wrote it down on a beer mat. Paid nearly ‚¬20 to get the CD single on import from the music shop in town. Played it to death. May he RIP. https://t.co/4tzzp3t5Ss
— StÃofán MacCraith (@djstevemcgrath) July 16, 2024
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