Photo Credit: Jeff Mills / Instagram
Detroit techno pioneer Jeff Mills has shared a heartfelt tribute to Juan Atkins following his death at 64, reflecting on their decades-long friendship and the lasting influence of Atkins on electronic music.
Published on Instagram across 20 slides on 4 November, Mills’ statement looks back on a relationship spanning approximately 45 years. He describes Atkins as one of the rare visionaries who helped construct “a bridge into the 21st century”, recognising his role in shaping the foundations of techno and inspiring generations of electronic music artists.
Mills questions whether Atkins received adequate recognition. Recalling their early Detroit years, he notes that Atkins and Richard (Rick) Davis were experimenting electronically by the early 1980s, inspiring local emerging producers. He argues that the traditional Belleville Three narrative, featuring Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, oversimplifies history, asserting that Atkins‘ foundational influence merits recognition equal to major figures in other artistic fields.
Performing as Model 500 and co-founding Cybotron, Atkins established Detroit as an electronic music centre with releases like ‘Clear’ and ‘No UFOs’. His Metroplex label further defined the sound that became techno. Mills ends his tribute with deep gratitude to Atkins and his loved ones, concluding, “The bridge he helped construct remains.”
