Kraftwerk

German electronic music band

Kraftwerk is a electronic band from Germany that became famous in the late 1970s and 1980s for making electronic music. They used synthesizers and sequencers to make the rhythms and melodies in the song.

Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk in Kiev in 2008
Kraftwerk in Kiev in 2008
Background information
OriginDüsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
GenresElectronic, synthpop, krautrock
Years active1970–present
LabelsKling Klang, EMI, Astralwerks, Elektra, Warner Bros., Capitol, Vertigo, Philips
Reissues and compilations:
Mute, Cleopatra, Parlophone, Mercury, Fontana
MembersRalf Hütter
Fritz Hilpert
Henning Schmitz
Stefan Pfaffe
Past member(s)Florian Schneider
Karl Bartos
Wolfgang Flür
Klaus Röder
Emil Schult
Klaus Dinger
Michael Rother
Andreas Hohmann
Fernando Abrantes
Plato Kostic (Riviera)
Peter Schmidt
Charly Weiss
Houschäng Néjadepour
Eberhard Kranemann
Thomas Lohmann
Websitewww.kraftwerk.com

Kraftwerk made electronic music many years before other bands knew it would be popular. They paved the way for the MIDI and digital styles of music to become popular in the 1990s. Many of the sounds from songs such as "Computer Love", "The Robots", and "Trans Europe Express" can be heard sampled by a variety of bands on their current releases. Recently, some of Kraftwerk's original recording equipment was sold on eBay for astonishing amounts. Kraftwerk continues to have a faithful following. The band's name is German for power station.

Main discography change

  • 1970: Kraftwerk
  • 1972: Kraftwerk 2
  • 1973: Ralf and Florian
  • 1974: Autobahn
  • 1975: Radio-Activity
  • 1977: Trans-Europe Express
  • 1978: The Man Machine
  • 1981: Computer World
  • 1983: Tour de France (single)
  • 1986: Electric Cafe
  • 1991: The Mix
  • 1999: Expo 2000 (single)
  • 2000: Expo Remix (single)
  • 2003: Tour de France Soundtracks
  • 2005: Minimum-Maximum (live album)
  • 2007: Aerodynamik/La Forme Remixes (single)