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Kraftwerk co-founder quits band

Florian Schneider leaves after 40 years

Kraftwerk co-founder Florian Schneider has announced that he has quit the band.

Schneider, one of just two remaining original members, has announced the end of his 40-year partnership with co-founder Ralf Hütter. The pioneering German electronic band revealed the news on their website today (January 5).

No reason for the departure was given, but it is likely that Schneider will now focus on solo projects.

The band originally started off as a two-piece in the early '70s, but expanded to four members over the years. They have been actively touring in recent years, playing major festivals such as California's Coachella event in 2008.

Kraftwerk are still scheduled to join Radiohead on their upcoming tour of Central and South America, beginning in March 2009.

The tour dates are:

Mexico City, Mexico Foro Sol (March 15, 16)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Praca Da Apoteose (20)
São Paulo, Brazil Chácara Do Jockey (22)
Buenos Aires, Argentina Club Ciudad (24)
Santiago, Chile San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium (26, 27)


--By our Los Angeles staff.
Find out more about NME.
 

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Comments (3)

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Lord Dainippon 

Jan 6, 2009

I'm shocked to hear that Florian has left, but at the same time I'm not surprised. He's not showed much interested in some of the recent shows they've performed at.It's a sad day for 'werk fans I say but good luck to him, let's hope he doesn't follow the same path as the "temporary drummers". (Previous members of the band who were labeled as temporary members in a diss by Ralf Hütter)

tonyk 

Jan 6, 2009

A sad day for music as I guess its the end for Kraftwerk as for me Florian was the soul of the band. Maybe the most important and influential band in musical history

YorkshireNed 

Jan 6, 2009

This means the band now feature zero members from the rock line-up that appeared on Beat Club around 1971. What a sad day :(I hope they can renew their lifelong partnership through their mutual love of cycling

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