Kraftwerk Co-Founder Florian Schneider Dies Age 73

Florian Schneider has died aged 73.

The news of the Kraftwerk co-founder's passing was confirmed by Billboard, with Consequence Of Sound adding that a representative of the German band had confirmed to them that Schneider had been battling with cancer prior to his death.

There has not yet been an official statement from Kraftwerk, which Schneider formed back in 1970 with Ralf Hütter. He released 10 albums with the band, his last being 2003's 'Tour de France Soundtracks'. The multi-instrumentalist was well known for pioneering electronic music and influencing other artists — David Bowie's 'Heroes' track V-2 Schneider is named after him.

Though Schneider left Kraftwerk in 2008, the band have continued to perform and were due to take their 3-D show on tour throughout 2020. However, many shows have had to be postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

There has been an outpour of tributes from the music community since news of Schneider's death broke.

Such an important influence upon so much of the music we know, from Bowie, to electronica, much of the 80s and beyond into modern techno and rap, Florian Schneider was forging a new Metropolis of music for us all to live in. RIP #FlorianSchneider #Kraftwerk pic.twitter.com/y2nXuAY66e

— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) May 6, 2020

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