Jaki Liebezeit, founding member, drummer of Can, and human metronome has passed from pneumonia. (May 26, 1938 - Jan 22, 2017).
After playing free-jazz in Germany in the mid-to-late '60s, including an ensemble led by Manfred Schoof, as well as with Globe Unity Orchestra (with a young Peter Brotzmann on sax!) he decided to go with a disciplined "motorik" beat. Indeed, Can are synonymous with the "Krautrock" history.
From Can / Spoon Records' official social media announcement:
It is with great sadness we have to announce that Jaki passed away this morning from sudden pneumonia. He fell asleep peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. We will miss him hugely.
He also drummed with Holger Czukay, Brian Eno, Jah Wobble, PhantomBand, Depeche Mode and others. He has worked with electronic producers, played reggae & other world musics, and has been the source of hip-hop breakbeats. One of my personal favorite tunes is "Mother Sky", from Soundtracks: