WARLOCK guitarist Rudy Graf died on 10 April 2026 aged 61, former vocalist Doro Pesch announced on 29 October. The news had not been made public until this month. Graf was part of the German heavy metal band from 1983 to 1985 and played on its first two albums, “Burning The Witches” and “Hellbound”.
Pesch shared the news in a message dedicated to Graf, who was born in Germany on 7 July 1964. She also appeared with him in WARLOCK’s 1985 live footage for “Metal Racer”, a performance later issued on the “Metal Racer” VHS in 1986 and sourced from a Japanese LaserDisc release.
Two early WARLOCK albums
Graf joined WARLOCK during the group’s formative period in Düsseldorf. He played on the band’s 1983 demo and on “Burning The Witches”, the debut album released in 1984. His guitar work also featured on “Hellbound”, which followed in 1985.
His later WARLOCK appearances included the live album “Live From The Camden Palace”, released in 2016. After leaving the band, Graf played on RAGE’s 1987 album “Execution Guaranteed” and later performed with BEAST, JOKER and MORITZZ BOOGIE BOOSTERS.
Pesch described Graf as an important part of WARLOCK’s early years and said his compositions still mattered to the band’s former members.
Many of you may already have heard the news. WARLOCK’s original guitarist, Rudy Graf, passed away this spring. It was not known until this October.
- Doro Pesch, former WARLOCK vocalist
Those of you who know my early years in WARLOCK will know how important Rudy was to the band at that time and what his songs still mean to all of us today.
- Doro Pesch, former WARLOCK vocalist
Doro remembers their shows
Pesch recalled the concerts and festivals she shared with Graf, describing him as funny and saying that fans loved him. Doro Pesch, born in 1964, sang with WARLOCK from 1983 to 1989 and was the band’s only original member by the end of the decade. She later continued under her solo project, Doro, after legal issues forced a change of name.
In her message, Pesch also referred to her late friend Lemmy of MOTÖRHEAD, quoting his phrase “Born to Lose, Live to Win” before closing with a final farewell to Graf.
Rest in peace, Rudy!
- Doro Pesch, former WARLOCK vocalist
