WTF?!
Kraftwerk co-founder leaves German group
BERLIN - Florian Schneider, a co-founder of Kraftwerk, the German band that built the foundation for electro-pop and scored a chart-topping global hit with "Autobahn" in 1974, has left the group, its label said Tuesday.
News of the departure was first reported on the Web site Kraftwerk in November but gained prominence when the Kraftwerk Official Fan Web Site posted a short statement on Monday.
"Florian Schneider leaves Kraftwerk after a 40 years (sic) partnership with Ralf Huetter," the statement said, adding that the partnership between the pair generated "incredible music and huge advances in music technology."
In an e-mail to The Associated Press, EMI Germany confirmed the move but did not elaborate.
Despite Schneider's exit, Kraftwerk is planning a 10-stop tour this year, with appearances in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Germany in March and April.
Schneider co-founded the band with Ralf Huetter in 1970 after the two met while studying in Duesseldorf a couple years earlier.
Since then, Kraftwerk has released 12 albums, including "Autobahn," "Radio-Activity" and "The Man Machine."
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January 6, 2009 - 1:01 p.m. EST
Copyright 2009, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
BERLIN - Florian Schneider, a co-founder of Kraftwerk, the German band that built the foundation for electro-pop and scored a chart-topping global hit with "Autobahn" in 1974, has left the group, its label said Tuesday.
News of the departure was first reported on the Web site Kraftwerk in November but gained prominence when the Kraftwerk Official Fan Web Site posted a short statement on Monday.
"Florian Schneider leaves Kraftwerk after a 40 years (sic) partnership with Ralf Huetter," the statement said, adding that the partnership between the pair generated "incredible music and huge advances in music technology."
In an e-mail to The Associated Press, EMI Germany confirmed the move but did not elaborate.
Despite Schneider's exit, Kraftwerk is planning a 10-stop tour this year, with appearances in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Germany in March and April.
Schneider co-founded the band with Ralf Huetter in 1970 after the two met while studying in Duesseldorf a couple years earlier.
Since then, Kraftwerk has released 12 albums, including "Autobahn," "Radio-Activity" and "The Man Machine."
___
January 6, 2009 - 1:01 p.m. EST
Copyright 2009, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.