Kraftwerk Co-Founder's Iconic Gear Head to Stateside Bidding

He was pioneer within synth-based sounds with the group the German electronic band revolutionized popular music and impacting musicians including Bowie, New Order, Coldplay, and Run-DMC.

Now, his synth gear and performance items employed by Schneider to create some of the band’s best-known songs during the '70s and '80s are estimated to earn substantial bids when they are sold in a November auction.

Exclusive Preview into Late Individual Composition

Compositions related to his own venture the artist was developing shortly before his death due to cancer at 73 years old in 2020 is being shared for the first time in a video promoting the sale.

Extensive Collection from His Possessions

Together with his suitcase synthesiser, his flute and his vocoders – which he used for robotic vocal effects – fans have the opportunity to acquire nearly 500 of Schneider’s personal possessions at the auction.

This encompasses the assortment of more than 100 wind and brass items, numerous Polaroid photographs, his sunglasses, the ID used on tour through the late '70s plus his custom van, painted in a gray hue.

The bike he rode, featured during the band's video also pictured on the single’s artwork, is also for sale on 19 November.

Sale Information

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

Kraftwerk were groundbreaking – they were one of the first bands with electronic gear and they created music entirely new to listeners.

Fellow musicians viewed their songs “mind-blowing”. It revealed an innovative direction for compositions that Kraftwerk created. It encouraged a lot of bands to explore of using synthesised electronic music.

Featured Lots

• An effects unit probably utilized on albums on their albums The Man Machine in 1978 and Computer World in 1981 is expected to sell $30,000 to $50,000.
• An EMS Synthi AKS believed to be employed in early work Autobahn is appraised for $15,000 to $20,000.
• The flute, a classic design played by him during live acts through the early '70s, carries an estimate of up to five figures.

Unique Belongings

Among the lowest-priced items, an assortment with dozens of snapshots he captured showing his musical tools can be bought for $100 to $200.

More unusual pieces, like a clear, bright yellow acrylic guitar and an unusual insect replica, which was mounted on Schneider’s studio wall, may go for $200–$400.

Schneider’s gold-framed green-lens sunglasses plus snapshots of him wearing them are estimated at under $500.

Estate’s Statement

His view was that they are meant to be played and shared – not sitting idle or remaining untouched. He hoped his instruments to be passed to people who would truly value them: performers, hobbyists and admirers through music.

Enduring Impact

Recalling Kraftwerk’s influence, one noted musician said: Starting out, we loved Kraftwerk. Their work that had us pay attention: what’s this?. They were doing something different … fresh sounds – they deliberately moved past previous styles.”