Founding member Florian Schneider has left Kraftwerk. A statement on the Kraftwerk website revealed the news and praised Schneider for his contribution to Kraftwerk and music in general:

“Florian Schneider leaves Kraftwerk after a 40 years partnership with Ralf Hütter. This partnership has generated an incredible music and huge advances in music technology.

“Florian is a great musician, always seeking the perfect sound through technology. Refined and perfected sounds and vocoders to impossible levels of perfection.

“Our thanks for the state of art that led to Kraftwerk’s music all these years. And our wishes for success Florian’s new projects as well as to this new Kraftwerk.”

No reason is given for his departure but the decision seems to have been a long time in the making as he did not join the group on their 2008 tour.

Kraftwerk are still scheduled to open for Radiohead on their Latin American tour, which begins March 15 in Mexico City.

Kraftwerk - Autobahn

Tags: Autobahn, Florian Schneider, Kraftwerk

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