Kraftwerk Co-Founder's Historic Instruments Head to Stateside Bidding

This pioneer in the electronic genre whose band Kraftwerk transformed popular music and influenced performers including Bowie, New Order, Coldplay, and Run-DMC.

Presently, the electronic equipment along with devices employed by Schneider for producing some of the band’s best-known songs throughout two decades could fetch substantial bids as they go under the hammer at auction next month.

Exclusive Preview of Late Solo Project

Recordings for a solo project the artist was developing shortly before his death due to cancer at 73 years old two years ago can be heard initially via footage promoting the sale.

Vast Assortment of Personal Belongings

Alongside his portable synth, his flute and robotic voice devices – that he employed creating mechanical-sounding vocals – enthusiasts have the opportunity to purchase nearly 500 items from his estate in the sale.

These include his set exceeding 100 wind and brass items, numerous Polaroid photographs, his sunglasses, the passport he used while touring through the late '70s and Volkswagen vehicle, given a gray finish.

The bike he rode, which he rode in Kraftwerk’s Tour de France music video also pictured in the release's graphics, is also for sale on 19 November.

Auction Details

The projected worth of the sale is $450,000 to $650,000.

They were innovators – among the earliest acts employing synthesizers and they created music entirely new to listeners.

Additional artists viewed their songs astonishing. They suddenly discovered a fresh route within sound developed by the group. It encouraged a lot of bands to explore of using synthesised electronic music.

Notable Pieces

• A vocoder possibly employed by the band in productions from the late '70s plus later releases is expected to sell $30K–$50K.
• An EMS Synthi AKS believed to be the one used on Kraftwerk’s 1974 album Autobahn has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000.
• The alto flute, a classic design featured in performances on stage with the synthesiser before moving on, may sell for $8,000 to $10,000.

Distinctive Objects

Among the lowest-priced items, a group with dozens of snapshots photographed by him featuring his wind collection is available at a low estimate.

Other quirky objects, including a transparent, bright yellow acrylic guitar plus a distinctive 16-inch model of a fly, which was mounted in his workspace, may go for $200 to $400.

The musician's green-lens sunglasses plus snapshots of him wearing them could sell for $300–$500.

Estate’s Statement

His view was that they are meant to be played and enjoyed by others – not left unused or gathering dust in storage. He wanted his equipment to go to individuals that will cherish them: performers, hobbyists and admirers by audio creativity.

Ongoing Legacy

Considering their contribution, a well-known drummer commented: Starting out, we loved Kraftwerk. That record which prompted us pay attention: what is this?. They created unique material … something completely new – they deliberately moved past previous styles.”