Juan Atkins

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Juan Atkins
Background information
Also known as Model 500, Infiniti
Born December 9, 1962
Origin Detroit, Michigan,
Instrument(s) Korg MS-6, Roland R-8
Years active 1981-Present
Label(s) Metroplex
Associated
acts		 Cybotron
This article is about a musician who sometimes releases music under the name Model 500. For the Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver, see Smith & Wesson Model 500. For the Western Electric Model 500 telephone, see Model 500 telephone.

Juan Atkins (born December 9, 1962 in Detroit) is an American musician. He is widely credited as the originator of techno music [citation needed], better known as Detroit Techno since Atkins and techno co-creators Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson grew up in Belleville, MI. Atkins met May and Saunderson while attending Belleville High School.

Atkins has cited the radio show of Charles "Electrifyin' Mojo" Johnson as a musical influence. Electrifyin' Mojo, a Detroit DJ, played an eclectic mix of music including Kraftwerk, Parliament and Prince. Atkins and friend Derrick May created mix tracks for Electrifying Mojo to broadcast, then began to create original music.

At Washtenaw Community College, Atkins met Rick Davis, with whom he recorded under the name Cybotron. Atkins coined the term techno to describe their music, taking as one inspiration the works of futurist and author Alvin Toffler, from whom he borrowed the terms "cybotron" and "metroplex".

Atkins has used the term techno to describe earlier bands that made heavy use of synthesizers such as Kraftwerk, although many people would consider Kraftwerk's music and Juan's early music in Cybotron as Electro. Techno is considered today as a specific sub-genre.

Atkins began recording as Model 500 in 1985 with tracks such as "No UFO's", "Night drive", "Future" and "Clear". He continues to produce his own and other musicians' records under the Metroplex Records label. He continues to record singles and albums and has scored hits into the 21th Century.

[edit] Discography

  • as Cybotron, with Rick Davis (1981 - 1983)
    • "Alleys of Your Mind" (1981), single
    • "Cosmic Cars" (1982), single
    • "Clear" (1982), single
    • Enter (1983)
    • "Techno City" (1984), single
    • Clear (1990), digitally remastered re-release of Clear
  • as Model 600 (2002)
    • Update 2002, single
  • as Juan Atkins
    • The Berlin Sessions 2005

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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