🔗 Share this article

As a innovator of electronic music with the group Kraftwerk revolutionized mainstream melodies and influenced performers including Bowie, New Order, Coldplay, and Run-DMC.

Presently, the musical tools and performance items utilized by the musician in crafting some of the band’s best-known songs throughout two decades may bring in substantial bids during the upcoming sale at auction next month.

First Listen of Unreleased Personal Work

Recordings for a solo project the artist was developing shortly before his death after a cancer diagnosis aged 73 in 2020 is being shared as a debut in a video about the auction.

Vast Assortment from His Possessions

Together with the compact synthesizer, his flute and his vocoders – that he employed for robotic vocal effects – collectors can try to acquire approximately 500 his personal effects in the sale.

These include his set exceeding 100 wind and brass items, numerous Polaroid photographs, his sunglasses, his travel document used on tour through the late '70s and Volkswagen vehicle, which he custom-painted grey.

His cycling gear, featured during the band's video and shown in the release's graphics, will be auctioned later this month.

Sale Information

The projected worth of the sale falls between $450K and $650K.

They were innovators – they were one of the first bands employing synthesizers and they created music unlike anything prior.

Other bands viewed their songs astonishing. They suddenly discovered a fresh route within sound developed by the group. It encouraged a lot of bands to shift towards synthesizer-based tunes.

Highlighted Items

• A vocoder possibly employed by the band for recordings during their peak and early '80s work is expected to sell a high estimate.
• A suitcase synthesizer believed to be utilized on Kraftwerk’s 1974 album Autobahn is valued at $15K–$20K.
• His wind instrument, a specific model featured in performances alongside electronic gear until 1974, is valued at up to five figures.

Unique Belongings

For smaller budgets, a collection of about 90 Polaroid photographs photographed by him featuring his wind collection is available at a low estimate.

Other quirky objects, including a transparent, colorful bass plus a distinctive fly sculpture, which was mounted at his studio, are priced at $200 to $400.

The musician's green-tinted shades and Polaroid photographs featuring the glasses are listed at $300 to $500.

Family’s Words

He felt that they are meant to be played and circulated – not stored away or remaining untouched. He hoped his tools to be passed to people that will cherish them: performers, hobbyists and admirers by the art of sound.

Lasting Influence

Considering their contribution, an influential artist said: Initially, we loved Kraftwerk. Autobahn was an album which prompted us pay attention: what is this?. They were doing innovative work … entirely original – they intentionally avoided the past.”