6 Music - Music News

Gerhardt (Jerry) Fuchs was a the drummer for New York band !!! (pronounced "chk chk chk"), psychedelic instrumental outfit Maserati, The Juan MacLean and Turing Machine.

Aged 34, the musician died after plummeting five stories down a lift shaft.

He had been at a charity benefit in an industrial building in Brooklyn on Saturday 7 November.

At 12.30 am on Sunday (8), the manual freight lift stopped somewhere above the fifth floor, which prompted Fuchs and his friend to open the door and attempt to jump a gap of three to four feet.

The other person landed safely, but Fuchs’ clothing got caught which caused him to swing back and fall between the lift and the fifth floor, reports the New York Times.

Fuchs, who recently performed with Toronto band MSTRKRFT on the Late Show With David Letterman, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he passed away at 3:30 a.m.

‘The greatest drummer’

Maserati have paid tribute to their former bandmate, posting a statement online: "We are humbled to have been able to create music with you for all these years, Jerry. You will be missed more than words can express. We love you, bro."

Meanwhile Juan MacLean has posted a message on his official site, saying: "Jerry was one of my best and most loyal friends. He was hands-down the best drummer I have ever played with or seen for that matter.

"He was one of the only people we all knew who was literally great at what he did and he was incredibly generous with his talent."

LCD Soundsystem, James Murphy

"Jerry was with me from the start of The Juan MacLean, and we had countless adventures together all over the world. He was utterly sincere and fiercely loyal.

"During a particularly difficult time, while backstage in a club in Chicago, Jerry told me 'Juan, I will follow you to the end of the earth and I will always be there for you.' That was Jerry, the greatest drummer in the world, the greatest friend you could ever have."

James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem was also complementary of Fuchs’ drumming skills.

"He was one of the only people we all knew who was literally great at what he did and he was incredibly generous with his talent," he said.

It is the second time !!! have lost a drummer from a sudden tragedy - in 2005, Mikel Gius was killed in a bicycle accident in Sacramento, to be replaced by Fuchs.