German DJ and producer Thomas Brückner, known as Tomcraft, has passed away at the age of 49. Brückner was the mastermind behind the 2003 club hit “Loneliness,” which garnered him commercial success and a dedicated following in the dance-music world.
Tributes have poured in for Brückner, with Judge Jules, who championed “Loneliness” upon its release, describing him as a “lovely guy” who created one of the greatest records ever. Brückner’s family shared the heartbreaking news on social media, expressing their deep sorrow at his passing.
Brückner’s musical career took off in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits like “The Circle,” “Prosac,” and “Silence.” However, it was “Loneliness” that truly catapulted him to stardom, reaching number one in the UK in 2003.
The story behind “Loneliness” is as intriguing as the track itself. Brückner initially composed it as an instrumental but felt something was missing. He then stumbled upon Andrea Martin’s 1999 R&B single “Share the Love” in a Munich charity shop and decided to incorporate its lyrics and melody into the track, re-recorded by British vocalist Vivian.
The track’s enigmatic lyrics, which Brückner admitted didn’t make much sense to him either, added to its allure and set it apart from other dance hits of the time. The response to “Loneliness” at its debut in a club was overwhelming, prompting Brückner to distribute white-label copies at Berlin’s Love Parade festival, where it caught the attention of Judge Jules and eventually became a massive success.
“Loneliness” continued to make waves in the music industry, with artists like Will Young and Hardwell paying homage to the track in their own work. Brückner’s legacy lives on through his groundbreaking music, and his impact on the dance-music scene will be remembered for years to come.
