Florian Schneider of ‘Kraftwerk’: A Tribute in Photographs
Florian Schneider, co-founder of German band ‘Kraftwerk’ has passed away at 73. The band is widely considered as the pioneers of electronic music. In fact, they were the first ones who managed to popularize the genre.
Further, Florian Schneider passed away just a few days after his 73rd birthday. As one would expect, currently the music world is mourning the loss of this revolutionary musician. So, on that note, here’s how we remember Florian Schneider.
1. Kraftwerk in front of the world time clock in Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo, September 1981. Florian Schneider was always known by his band members as quite the perfectionist when it came to sound design. In fact, his bandmate Ralf Hutter even called him a “sound fetishist”.
Photo Credit: Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music
2. (L-R Florian Schneider and Ralph Hutter) of the German electronic group Kraftwerk pose for a portrait circa 1973. Schneider was also often known for his comical, enigmatic interviews. Although, he seldom gave permission to be interviewed.
Photo Credit: Franck/Kraftwerk
3. Kraftwerk posed in Rotterdam, Netherlands on 21st March 1976. L-R Florian Schneider, Karl Bartos, Wolfgang Flur and Ralf Hutter.
Interestingly enough, the band has influenced various genres of music like hip hop, house, electro and many others.
Photo Credit: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
4. Kraftwerk (L-R Karl Bartos, Ralph Hutter, Wolfgang Flur and Florian Schneider) pose for a portrait circa 1975 in New York City, New York. Schneider’s last performance with the band was in 2006 in Spain. But he returned to the music scene in 2015 when he released an electronic ode, “Stop Plastic Pollution,” as part of the “Parley for the Oceans” campaign.
Photo Credit: Maurice Seymour
5. Kraftwerk standing in phone booths in Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo, September 1981. Florian Schneider’s main instrument was the flute, which he would treat using electronic effects.
Photo Credit: Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music
6. Kraftwerk even has a 30 minute documentary called ‘Kraftwerk: Computer Love’ which examined how their album ‘Computer World’ changed lives.
Photo Credit: Ebet Roberts
7. The band was co-founded by Ralf Hütter. Schneider remained a member until his departure in 2008.
Photo credit: Getty Images
8. Schneider has received praise from musicians world over. They credit his influence on icons like Bowie, electronica and much of the music of the 70s and 80s.
Photo Credit: Maurice Seymour/Kraftwerk
9. Kraftwerk often referred to their genre of music as “robot pop”.
Photo Credit: Laura Levine/Corbis
10. The band were honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy at the 2014 Grammys.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
