LONDON — Mick Karn, bass guitarist for the 1980s group Japan, died of cancer at his home in London Tuesday. He was 52.
Mr. Karn had announced on his website in June that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer; the specific type was not mentioned.
Mr. Karn was cofounder of Japan, along with David Sylvian and Steve Jansen. The group’s 1982 album “Tin Drum’’ included the hit song “Ghosts.’’
John Taylor, the bass guitarist of 1980s English New Wave band Duran Duran, paid tribute to Mr. Karn on Duran Duran’s website, describing Mr. Karn as a “bassist and super-sideman’’, and “one of the great visual and sound stylists of the late ’70s, early ’80s.’’
Taylor said he first saw Japan in Birmingham on the band’s Obscure Alternatives tour.
“Mick changed my life in a good way,’’ Taylor said. “ ‘Quiet Life,’ ‘Gentlemen Take Polaroids,’ ‘Adolescent Sex,’ and ‘Tin Drum’ are amongst the best recordings made during the post-punk era, in my view.’’
Mr. Karn was born Andonis Michaelides in Cyprus. His family came to Britain when he was 3. He leaves his wife, Kyoko, and a son, Metis.