Electronic Music Pioneer's Legendary Equipment Are Featured in US Auction
This pioneer within synth-based sounds with the group the pioneering act redefined mainstream melodies and influenced performers ranging from Bowie to Run-DMC.
Presently, the electronic equipment along with devices utilized by the musician in crafting some of the band’s best-known songs throughout two decades could fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars during the upcoming sale at auction next month.
Exclusive Preview for Unreleased Solo Project
Recordings for a solo project the artist was developing prior to his passing after a cancer diagnosis in his seventies in 2020 is available initially via footage about the auction.
Extensive Collection of Personal Belongings
In addition to his suitcase synthesiser, his flute and robotic voice devices – that he employed creating mechanical-sounding vocals – collectors can try to acquire nearly 500 of Schneider’s personal possessions through bidding.
These include the assortment of more than 100 brass and woodwind instruments, many instant photos, his sunglasses, the passport he used while touring before 1979 and his VW panel van, which he custom-painted grey.
His cycling gear, used by him for the Tour de France clip and is depicted on the single’s artwork, is also for sale later this month.
Auction Details
The projected worth of the sale ranges from $450,000 to $650,000.
The group was revolutionary – they were one of the first bands with electronic gear producing sounds unlike anything prior.
Additional artists viewed their songs “mind-blowing”. It revealed a fresh route within sound developed by the group. This motivated a lot of bands to shift towards synthesizer-based tunes.
Featured Lots
- One voice modulator possibly employed by the band in productions during their peak and early '80s work could fetch $30,000 to $50,000.
- An EMS Synthi AKS likely the one used on Kraftwerk’s 1974 album their iconic release is valued at $15,000 to $20,000.
- The flute, an Orsi G alto that Schneider used on stage with the synthesiser through the early '70s, carries an estimate of $8K–$10K.
Unique Belongings
For smaller budgets, a collection with dozens of snapshots he captured featuring his wind collection is on sale at a low estimate.
Other quirky objects, including a transparent, colorful bass and an unusual 16-inch model of a fly, placed at his studio, are priced at a few hundred.
The musician's green-tinted shades plus snapshots featuring the glasses could sell for $300 to $500.
Official Message
He felt that gear deserves activity and enjoyed by others – not sitting idle or remaining untouched. He wanted his tools to go to people that will cherish them: artists, gatherers and those inspired through music.
Ongoing Legacy
Reflecting on their contribution, an influential artist commented: Starting out, we loved Kraftwerk. Autobahn was an album that made us all take notice: what’s this?. They created something different … entirely original – they were consciously rejecting the past.”
