Techno Pioneer Juan Atkins Dies at Age 64

Electronic music producer and DJ Juan Atkins has died at the age of 64. Billboard and Pitchfork reported that his management agency, Greensmith Artists, confirmed his death on social media on November 1, 2026. According to Billboard, Spin, and DJ Mag, Atkins was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Mexico City on October 31, 2026. [1][2][3][4][6]

Billboard and Spin both reported that Atkins was found before a scheduled performance at YuYu Cine Club. Pitchfork noted the venue as Yu Yu Club. Atkins was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Spin reported that no cause of death has been announced. [1][2][3]

Atkins is widely recognized as a founding father of Detroit techno music. Pitchfork and Rolling Stone reported that he formed the electronic group Cybotron with Richard Davis, also known as 3070. Rolling Stone also noted that Atkins released the track No UFO's under his Model 500 moniker. [1][2][4]

Along with his work as Model 500, Atkins produced music under the name Infiniti and was a member of the group Borderland. He was also a member of the Belleville Three alongside Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, a trio credited as pivotal architects of the techno genre. [1][2][3][5][11]