🔗 Share this article

He was innovator in the electronic genre with the group the German electronic band redefined mainstream melodies while inspiring musicians from David Bowie and New Order to Coldplay and Run-DMC.

Presently, the electronic equipment and performance items that Florian Schneider used to create Kraftwerk's iconic tracks during the '70s and '80s are estimated to earn substantial bids during the upcoming sale this coming month.

Exclusive Preview of Unreleased Personal Work

Recordings for a solo project the artist was developing shortly before his death from cancer aged 73 in 2020 is being shared initially in a video about the auction.

Extensive Collection of Personal Belongings

Together with his portable synth, his flute plus voice modulators – which he used creating mechanical-sounding vocals – collectors will get a chance to buy approximately 500 of Schneider’s personal possessions through bidding.

Among them are the assortment over a hundred brass and woodwind instruments, numerous Polaroid photographs, his shades, the ID used on tour until 1978 plus his custom van, painted in a gray hue.

His Panasonic Panaracer bicycle, used by him for the Tour de France clip and shown in the release's graphics, will also go under the hammer on 19 November.

Bidding Particulars

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

The group was revolutionary – they were one of the first bands employing synthesizers producing sounds unlike anything prior.

Fellow musicians considered their music astonishing. It revealed this new pathway within sound pioneered by the band. It encouraged a lot of bands to move in the direction of using synthesised electronic music.

Highlighted Items

• An effects unit probably utilized on albums on their albums The Man Machine in 1978 and Computer World in 1981 could fetch a high estimate.
• An EMS Synthi AKS thought to be utilized for Autobahn Autobahn has an estimate of $15K–$20K.
• His wind instrument, a classic design that Schneider used on stage with the synthesiser through the early '70s, carries an estimate of $8K–$10K.

Distinctive Objects

For smaller budgets, an assortment of about 90 Polaroid photographs he captured featuring his wind collection can be bought for a modest sum.

Other quirky objects, such as a see-through, colorful bass and an unusual insect replica, which was mounted at his studio, are priced at a few hundred.

His framed eyewear with green lenses along with instant photos showing him with these are estimated at under $500.

Family’s Words

He felt that instruments should be used and shared – not left unused or remaining untouched. He hoped his instruments to find their way to people who would truly value them: artists, gatherers and those inspired by audio creativity.

Lasting Influence

Considering Kraftwerk’s influence, a well-known drummer said: Starting out, we were fans. That record that made us all take notice: what is this?. They created unique material … fresh sounds – they deliberately moved past earlier approaches.”