Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk (pronounced , German for "power plant") are a German avant-garde musical group who have made significant contributions to the development of electronic music. The band was founded by Florian Schneider and Ralf Hütter in 1970, but became widely known as a quartet consisting of Wolfgang Flür and Karl Bartos alongside the founding members.

Influence

Kraftwerk have also been extensively sampled by some influential musicians and bands including Afrika Bambaataa, Beck, The Orb, The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu/KLF, Madonna, Depeche Mode, New Order, De La Soul, Coldplay, R.E.M., OMD, Meat Beat Manifesto, Fatboy Slim, Rammstein, Chemical Brothers, Jay-Z, 2 Live Crew and many more. Additionally, many popular techno DJs refer to them as one of their most important influences. Coldplay adapted the melody from "Computerliebe" (Computer Love) for a track called "Talk", it was included on their latest release, "X&Y". Ralf Hütter granted the band permission to use the melody after receiving a 'pen-pal' style letter from Chris Martin, a technician in the studio with Coldplay helped translate the letter into German.

Related Topics:
Afrika Bambaataa - Beck - The Orb - The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu - KLF - Madonna - Depeche Mode - New Order - De La Soul - Coldplay - R.E.M. - OMD - Meat Beat Manifesto - Fatboy Slim - Rammstein - Chemical Brothers - Jay-Z - 2 Live Crew - Techno - DJ

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Their music has been recorded by the classical ensemble the Balanescu Quartet. Five songs were arranged for strings for their album Possessed. In 2000, electronic musician Uwe Schmidt, recording as Señor Coconut, released an album of Kraftwerk covers called El Baile Alemán. The tracks were cleverly reworked in a Latin American music style.

Related Topics:
Balanescu Quartet - 2000 - Uwe Schmidt - Latin American music

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Kraftwerk have impinged on mainstream popular culture to the extent that they have been referenced in The Simpsons, The Big Lebowski, Saturday Night Live (NBC America) and Father Ted.

Related Topics:
The Simpsons - The Big Lebowski - Father Ted

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British comedian Bill Bailey has also mentioned that Kraftwerk was one of his favourite bands, and paid tribute to them during his Part Troll show.

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In 2002 Q magazine named Kraftwerk as one of the "50 Bands To See Before You Die".

Related Topics:
2002 - ''Q'' magazine - 50 Bands To See Before You Die

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