German Composer Karlheinz Stockhausen Dead At 79

Kurten, Germany (AHN) - German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, one of the world's most influential composers of the 20th century, has died at the age of 79, his foundation announced Friday.

The composer had a strong fan base that included the Beatle's. His use of electronics had an impact on classical, avant-garde and electronic music. He wrote more than 300 works that ranged from orchestra pieces to simpler electronic music and appeared on the cover of the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper album.

Stockhausen was born near Cologne, Germany in 1928. Educated at the National Conservatory of Music and the University of Cologne he became well known in 1956 when he released Gesang der Junglinge (Song of the Youths), which was a blend of electronic sounds and the human voice.

His death at home in Kurten on Wednesday was announced on Friday by the Stockhausen Foundation.