It was only yesterday I was rawkin' out to some Kraftwerk supplied by fellow Mogger Groon, and today news hits that one of the band's early drummers Klaus Dinger (German name much?) has passed.
Dinger, who pioneered 'Krautrock' aka the German experimental music scene, died of heart failure on March 21st just four days shy of his 62nd birthday.
In the early 70s Kraftwerk's line-up fluctuated often with Dinger and guitarist Michael Rother being some of the more consistent players in the group. The pair, however, would eventually leave their Kraftwerk posts to form the group Neu! in 1971. Dinger own 4/4 drumming style woudl eventually be coined 'Motorik.' Neu! released albums regularly up until 1975. The next time they showed up in the studio was in 1985 to record what would become material for their aptly-titled fourth studio album Neu! 4, which was released ten years later in 1995.
Dinger later spearheaded the band La Dusseldorf, whose last release was 2006's Mon Amour.
"Together with many friends of his music I will remember Klaus for his creativity as an artist and I will think about him with gratitude for his wonderful contributions to our project Neu!" Rother said in a statement.
My Trusted MOGs
Very sad to hear. Those 3 Neu! albums are essential for anyones collections, as are the early Kraftwerk too.
My Trusted MOGs
I have to mirror Tyler's comment.
61, I actually thought he would be younger.
My Trusted MOGs
Funny . . . as much as I love Neu! I only found out about the existence of Neu! 4 yesterday. And since I've never seen it on ebay I have to assume that the chances of coming across it are pretty slim, although that I know about it I might be able to spot it quicker.
Klaus Dinger's passing is extremely sad, especially for him being so young with so much potential left. I heard Neu! the first time about two years ago, and as cliche as it sounds, my life has not been the same since. It completely changed my perceptions about music, and that "motorik" beat has basically been playing in the back of my mind ever since.
My Trusted MOGs
In the words of Lil John " WHAT". Was there experimental music or electronica before Kraftwerk. He just took his last ride on the T.e.e. He'll be missed.
My Trusted MOGs
i believe they were indeed the first.
My Trusted MOGs
I don't think you could say they were the first, but they were definitely one of the first; Tangerine Dream's first album came out in 1970, around the same time as Kraftwerk 1, and they were all influenced by Stockhausen (sp?) who might not be considered rock, but he was definitely experimental and electronica. Neu! definitely pushed the boundaries though. All those German bands of the time were doing things with tape loops and manipulation well before that was even thought of in the rest of the world, it seems.