🔗 Share this article

This pioneer of electronic music and his ensemble the pioneering act transformed mainstream melodies and influenced musicians including Bowie, New Order, Coldplay, and Run-DMC.

Currently, the electronic equipment and performance items that Florian Schneider used for producing Kraftwerk's iconic tracks throughout two decades could fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars as they go under the hammer in a November auction.

First Listen of Late Solo Project

Compositions from an independent endeavor that Schneider was working on just before he died after a cancer diagnosis aged 73 back in 2020 is available as a debut via footage related to the event.

Wide Array of His Items

In addition to his portable synth, his flute plus voice modulators – that he employed for robotic vocal effects – enthusiasts can try to acquire nearly 500 of Schneider’s personal possessions in the sale.

This encompasses his set of more than 100 brass and woodwind instruments, numerous Polaroid photographs, eyewear, the ID for his travels through the late '70s and Volkswagen vehicle, painted in a gray hue.

His Panasonic Panaracer bicycle, used by him during the band's video and is depicted on the cover art, will also go under the hammer on 19 November.

Sale Information

The approximate sum for the auction ranges from $450,000 to $650,000.

The group was revolutionary – they were one of the first bands that used synthesisers producing sounds that no one had ever heard of before.

Fellow musicians found their tracks incredible. It revealed this new pathway in music pioneered by the band. This motivated numerous artists to explore electronic synth sounds.

Featured Lots

• A vocoder that is likely utilized on albums on their albums The Man Machine in 1978 and early '80s work could fetch $30,000 to $50,000.
• The portable EMS model believed to be the one used on Kraftwerk’s 1974 album their iconic release has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000.
• His wind instrument, a classic design featured in performances during live acts until 1974, may sell for up to five figures.

Unique Belongings

Among the lowest-priced items, a group with dozens of snapshots Schneider took featuring his wind collection can be bought at a low estimate.

Additional unique items, including a transparent, colorful bass plus a distinctive insect replica, placed at his studio, may go for $200–$400.

His framed green-tinted shades plus snapshots of him wearing them could sell for under $500.

Family’s Words

He always believed that gear deserves activity and enjoyed by others – not sitting idle or gathering dust in storage. He wanted his tools to be passed to enthusiasts that will cherish them: performers, hobbyists and admirers by audio creativity.

Enduring Impact

Reflecting on Kraftwerk’s influence, one noted musician said: “From the early days, we were fans. Autobahn was an album that made us all pay attention: what is this?. They produced innovative work … entirely original – they intentionally avoided previous styles.”