Electronic Music Pioneer's Iconic Equipment Are Featured in US Auction

As a innovator of electronic music whose band the pioneering act revolutionized popular music while inspiring performers including Bowie, New Order, Coldplay, and Run-DMC.

Presently, the musical tools and performance items utilized by the musician for producing some of the band’s best-known songs in the 1970s and 1980s may bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars during the upcoming sale at auction next month.

First Listen into Late Solo Project

Music from an independent endeavor that Schneider was working on shortly before his death due to cancer aged 73 back in 2020 can be heard as a debut through a clip promoting the sale.

Extensive Collection from His Possessions

Together with his suitcase synthesiser, his wind instrument plus voice modulators – utilized by him for robotic vocal effects – collectors will get a chance to purchase approximately 500 items from his estate at the auction.

This encompasses his collection exceeding 100 musical wind tools, several snapshots, his shades, the ID used on tour through the late '70s plus his custom van, which he custom-painted grey.

The bike he rode, used by him for the Tour de France clip also pictured on the cover art, is also for sale this November 19.

Sale Information

The total estimated value from the event is $450,000 to $650,000.

Kraftwerk were groundbreaking – they were one of the first bands that used synthesisers crafting compositions entirely new to listeners.

Additional artists viewed their songs astonishing. It revealed a fresh route in music developed by the group. It encouraged numerous artists to move in the direction synthesizer-based tunes.

Featured Lots

  • A vocoder probably the one Kraftwerk used for recordings The Man Machine in 1978 and early '80s work may go for $30,000 to $50,000.
  • An EMS Synthi AKS believed to be the one used on Kraftwerk’s 1974 album the famous record has an estimate of $15K–$20K.
  • The flute, a classic design featured in performances during live acts before moving on, may sell for up to five figures.

Distinctive Objects

Among the lowest-priced items, a collection of about 90 Polaroid photographs he captured showing his musical tools is on sale for a modest sum.

Additional unique items, such as a see-through, bright yellow acrylic guitar plus a distinctive 16-inch model of a fly, displayed on Schneider’s studio wall, have estimates of a few hundred.

Schneider’s gold-framed eyewear with green lenses and Polaroid photographs featuring the glasses could sell for $300 to $500.

Official Message

His view was that gear deserves activity and shared – not sitting idle or collecting dust. He wanted his instruments to find their way to individuals that will cherish them: performers, hobbyists and those inspired by audio creativity.

Enduring Impact

Recalling their contribution, a well-known drummer commented: Starting out, we were fans. Their work that had us take notice: this is new. They were doing innovative work … entirely original – they were consciously rejecting earlier approaches.”

Judy Sanders
Judy Sanders

Lena is a tech journalist with over a decade of experience, specializing in consumer electronics and emerging technologies.