Philippe Cerboneschi (also known as “Zdar”), one half of the iconic French dance duo Cassius, died in Paris on Wednesday. He was 50 years old.
“He made an accidental fall, through the window of a high floor of a Parisian building,” said his agent Sebastien Farran, without giving further details.
Cassius was a collaboration between Philippe Zdar—real name Philippe Cerboneschi—and Hubert Blanc-Francard (known in the group as Boom Bass). They began recording and producing in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Their debut Cassius album was 1999 (released that year). Their 2016 album Ibifornia featured Pharrell, Beastie Boys’ Mike D, Cat Power, and others. Aside from his work with Cassius, Zdar is also credited for producing a handful of recognized indie and electronic tracks including Phoenix’s ‘United’, ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’ and ‘Bankrupt!’ albums and more. Their new album Dreems was set for release this Friday, June 21.
Cerboneschi was awarded a 2010 Grammy Award as a mixer and producer for French indie pop band Phoenix’s fourth best-selling album.
