Nik Turner, founding member of pioneering British space rock band Hawkwind passed away in the evening of November 10th, 2022. His family posted this message on November 11: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Nik Turner – The Might Thunder Rider, who passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening. He has moved onto the next phase of his Cosmic Journey, guided by the love of his family, friends and fans.”
Turner was a major creative force during Hawkwind’s most critically acclaimed and successful period, 1969-1976. His idiosyncratic costumes, improvised saxophone and flute playing, and general enthusiastic persona became iconic representations of the band, and he would go on to write some of their most popular songs including “Brainstorm” and “Master of the Universe.”
After leaving Hawkwind, Turner released an adventurous and diverse catalog of solo albums. He collaborated with a wide range of artists in various genres, including UK Subs guitarist Nicky Garratt, the Doors’ guitarist Robby Krieger, Todd Rundgren, Steve Hillage of Gong, Amon Düül II founder John Weinzierl, Die Krupps leader Jürgen Engler, William Shatner and many more.
Turner also traveled to Egypt, where he studied the history and culture, and made a recording of his flute music in the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid of Cheops.
In 1985, Turner relocated to the western side of Wales, where he set up a new age community in a fairly rural, isolated area.
He continued to release new music including Space Gypsy (2013), Space Fusion Odysse (2015), Nik Turner & Youth Pharaohs From Outer Space (2018), Final Frontier (2019), and Nik Turner & The Trance Dimensionals “Synchronicity”(2022).