The godfather of techno and one of the Belleville Three, Juan Atkins, has passed away aged 64.

This has been confirmed by Atkins’ management agency Greensmith Artists confirmed the news today, after he was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Mexico City.

Pitchfork have reported that Atkins had suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

Of course, Atkins is responsible for a raft of hugely influential tracks, being a founding member of Cybotron, and releasing music as Model 500. Juan was pivotal in the development of Detroit techno, alongside Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, where they met in junior high.

Post Cybotron, Atkins unleashed cornerstone track, ‘No UFOs’ as Model 500 while launching the Metroplex label that would push things even further.

Atkins was also responsible for giving the genre its name with his ‘Techno Music’ track from 1988. His legacy in the scene is as big as anyone’s.

Kevin Saunderson writes on IG: “Juan was the originator of Techno, a true visionary who opened the door for so many of us, myself included. I’ll never forget how he showed me how to finish my first record, ‘Triangle of Love’. That meant a lot to me then, and it still does today.

“We shared a journey that changed music forever, and I’ll always be grateful for his friendship, guidance and everything he gave to our scene.”