Florian Schneider - Electronic Pioneer

Discussion in 'Whatever' started by ultrakaiju, May 6, 2020.

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  1. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    Florian Schneider - Electronic Pioneer
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    This one is tough. News just being released now that Florian Schneider, legendary co-founder of Kraftwerk, passed away last week from cancer. No one can question the group's seminal influence, not just in creating what we know as electronic music, being a key part of the entire 'krautrock' movement, but giving so much beyond any specific genre to music as a whole. How it is created, what are the definitions of it, where the boundaries (if any) of a 'song' lie, how it is consumed, etc. 'Pioneering' doesn't quite seem to do it justice.

    But beyond that I would just like to say how important Kraftwerk is to me as a founding influence. Perhaps growing up in Germany I harbour some bias - though frankly you were much more likely to hear American 'pop' music on any of the radio stations during the 80s - but they will always be dear to my heart, and anytime I put one of their compositions on it will always evoke something deep. Forty years later, and their music has not aged in the slightest; and I don't even just mean it still being popular with fans - it can stand alongside modern output. and probably be indistinguishable from an [specific] era for anyone who didn't necessarily recognise it. That is something fairly impressive.

    I am sorry to hear we have lost another great artist. Definitely calls for some good tunes today. Thanks for the many, many years of enjoyment I had - and will have - from your music.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Bob

    Bob Toy Prince

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    Florian Schneider - Electronic Pioneer
    That’s brutal news. And yet another reason to tell 2020 to go f itself.

    There’s only a couple of bands that truly blew my mind when I first heard them and Kraftwerk were one of them. Damn.
     
  3. The Moog

    The Moog Die-Cast

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    Florian Schneider - Electronic Pioneer
    Indeed, whenever I hear them they still sound fresh and relevant. I was hipped to them quite late, early 90's after i'd got into rave and techno. It was probably an interview with Richard James, chatting about them and Yellow Magic Orchestra.

    RIP, Mr. Schneider.
     
  4. toothaction

    toothaction Team Tsubu Staff Member

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    Florian Schneider - Electronic Pioneer
    Balls.

    Listen to this, world, and think about what you've done:


    I was first introduced to Kraftwerk at quite a young age, thanks to my devotion to staying up very late to catch radio sets spun by Detroit DJ The Electrifying Mojo, - an unparalleled guru for those of us of a certain age - but it wasn't until the summer of '98 that I was able to see their AV spectacular for myself. Walking around the room that evening, each and every person had a look on their face as though they were experiencing the most joy-filled night of their life. No doubt, my ear-to-ear grin matched theirs perfectly.

    50th anniversary tour was due in my town in July. Double cancelled.

    Ich werde dich vermissen, Herr Schneider.

    EDIT - missed a word, removed a '
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2020
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  5. vinyl.zealot

    vinyl.zealot Fresh Meat

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    Florian Schneider - Electronic Pioneer
    Pioneer, everyone who enjoys any sort of electronic music owes a debt to Florian and Kraftwerk. Even tho the tour was canceled, I secretly had hopes I’d get to see them in the next couple of years. Gutted. 2020 has been ultra shit but man, electronic music has lost some legends. Between Florian, Andrew Weatherall and Mike Huckaby it’s been rough.
     
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  6. gatiio

    gatiio Post Pimp

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    Florian Schneider - Electronic Pioneer
    I was really into Kraftwerk as a teen. The internet of my youth was riddled with legend and a fake bit I remember was that kraftwerk had “made” electronic music. I must’ve been about twelve and was blown away by the idea of a group of people inventing a music genre.

    I don’t know how long I believed that but it lives as a fun memory.

    Sad to learn Florian is now gone
     
  7. BoxingXius

    BoxingXius Toy Prince

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    Florian Schneider - Electronic Pioneer
    Very sad news indeed. I'm a big fan of Kraftwerk. I started listening to them back in 1986 when I heard "The Robots" on radio. I bought "Electric Cafe" on vinyl and was blown away. I loved the artwork and everything. It was just so different and mysterious compared to everything else. Were they really robots or were they humans, maybe both? Mind you I was only 8 years old at the time. I'd say at least two of their albums would be in my top 20 all time favorite records.

    Since 2010, when playing live with my solo project Boy Omega I've been playing a cover of the song "Radioactivity". That is probably my favorite album of theirs. I might release my cover version later this year on Spotify. My other band Kubot have been heavily influenced by Kraftwerk as well. You can probably hear it if you listen to our single "Vår Herre" that we just released: kubot.bandcamp.com
     
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