The Buffalo News, via Pitchfork, reports the sad news:
The avant-garde filmmaker and composer Tony Conrad, whose work inspired thousands of artists and pushed the boundaries of what art could achieve, died early April 9 at 76 after a struggle with prostate cancer. The immediate cause of death was pneumonia.
Conrad, who taught in the University at Buffalo’s media study department since 1976, was idolized by a generation of composers, musicians and artists who credit him with changing the course of American art and music with his seemingly endless series of inventive projects, performances and installations.
An event honoring Conrad’s career and retirement had been planned for May 2 in the University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts.
Rest in Peace, Tony.
Tony was scheduled to perform with Faust at the recent Big Ears Festival, but cancelled due to illness.
The above photo by BV contributor Zach Dilgard was taken at an Issue Project Room benefit at Santos Party House in 2008, shortly before we caught Tony playing at Issue Project Room with Genesis P-Orridge.