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Kraftwerk is considered one of the most innovative and influential groups in music history, yet rarely give interviews. Today Wolfgang Flür shares stories of his time in the band, the recordings, the tours, the personalities and his solo career with Yamo and Musik Soldat. Plus a new track for the Vinyl Guide audience to enjoy.
Topics Include:
Wolfgang Flür introduced as architect of modern music and electronic drum inventor.
Wolfgang built first electronic drum kit for Kraftwerk.
The drum kit was built by modifying a Fafisa Rhythm 10.
Wolfgang joined during the recording of "Autobahn."
Autobahn became unexpectedly popular in America with shortened radio version.
Americans were fascinated by German Autobahn concept.
Kraftwerk's all-synthesizer approach shocked American audiences.
Early synthesizers were unreliable and needed constant tuning.
Power supply voltage differences caused equipment problems during international tours.
Audiences mostly sat during concerts rather than danced.
Florian Schneider once refused to perform in Melbourne.
Kling Klang Studio was originally just a rehearsal room.
Conrad Planck produced Autobahn but was later fired.
Kraftwerk refused collaborations with David Bowie and Michael Jackson.
Black American DJs sampling Kraftwerk helped popularize them.
The Emulator sampling technology revolutionized their sound creation.
Album Technopop was re-recorded and released as Electric Cafe.
Ralf and Karl were the main composition team.
Florian focused on vocal processing and vocoders.
Ralf called them "Musikarbeiter" (music workers), which Wolfgang disliked.
Wolfgang left Kraftwerk and initially pursued furniture design.
Wolfgang returned to music in the early 1980s.
Released album "Time Pie" with EMI.
Recent album "Eloquence" released with Cherry Red Records.
Current live project called "Musik Soldat" tours internationally.
Next album will be called "Collaborators."
At 71, Wolfgang remains active in music performance.
His shows combine music with visual elements and films.
Wolfgang dislikes long-distance flying but continues touring.
He's surprised by Kraftwerk's cultural legacy and representations.
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About The Vinyl Guide
If you like records, just starting a collection or are an uber-nerd with a house-full of vinyl, this is the podcast for you. Nate Goyer is The Vinyl Guide and discusses all things music and record-related.