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As a innovator of electronic music with the group Kraftwerk revolutionized popular music and impacting musicians ranging from Bowie to Run-DMC.

Presently, the electronic equipment along with devices utilized by the musician to create Kraftwerk's iconic tracks in the 1970s and 1980s may bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars as they go under the hammer at auction next month.

Rare Glimpse of Late Solo Project

Compositions related to his own venture he had been creating just before he died after a cancer diagnosis at 73 years old back in 2020 can be heard as a debut through a clip promoting the sale.

Extensive Collection of His Items

In addition to his suitcase synthesiser, the wooden flute and his vocoders – that he employed for robotic vocal effects – enthusiasts will get a chance to purchase nearly 500 items from his estate in the sale.

These include his set over a hundred wind and brass items, numerous Polaroid photographs, his shades, his travel document he used while touring through the late '70s and his VW panel van, which he custom-painted grey.

His cycling gear, used by him in Kraftwerk’s Tour de France music video and shown in the release's graphics, will be auctioned this November 19.

Sale Information

The projected worth for the auction is $450,000 to $650,000.

Kraftwerk were groundbreaking – they were one of the first bands employing synthesizers crafting compositions that no one had ever heard of before.

Other bands considered their music “mind-blowing”. It revealed an innovative direction for compositions pioneered by the band. This motivated numerous artists to move in the direction synthesizer-based tunes.

Highlighted Items

• A vocoder that is likely employed by the band on their albums during their peak and Computer World in 1981 may go for a high estimate.
• An EMS Synthi AKS believed to be utilized in early work the famous record is appraised for $15K–$20K.
• His wind instrument, a classic design featured in performances on stage with the synthesiser before moving on, is valued at up to five figures.

Unique Belongings

For smaller budgets, an assortment of nearly 100 instant photos he captured showing his musical tools is available at a low estimate.

Other quirky objects, including a transparent, vibrant yellow instrument and an unusual 16-inch model of a fly, displayed on Schneider’s studio wall, are priced at $200 to $400.

Schneider’s gold-framed green-tinted shades and Polaroid photographs showing him with these are listed at $300 to $500.

Estate’s Statement

His view was that instruments should be used and shared – not sitting idle or collecting dust. He wanted his instruments to be passed to enthusiasts that will cherish them: performers, hobbyists and those inspired by the art of sound.

Ongoing Legacy

Reflecting on their contribution, an influential artist said: Initially, we loved Kraftwerk. That record that made us all sit up and say: what’s this?. They were doing innovative work … entirely original – they were consciously rejecting earlier approaches.”