Unedited interview with Wolfgang Flür about Kraftwerk
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- A long interview with Wolfgang Flür about his life with Kraftwerk. Made by Malik Bendjelloul in 2001 for Swedish Television. Malik Bendjelloul is a huge Kraftwerk fan and is now well known for his film ¨Searching for Sugarman¨
Wolfgang seems to be a decent and warm person. I'm glad Kraftwerk got their Grammy.
The only robot with feelings
Don't forget Karl Bartos though! I will be interest in reading his biography when it finally gets published in English. His contribution to Techno Pop has more feeling vocally. However, their strength did lie in that mench machine approach.
Of course, a huming beeing only have feelings if he express them to all others, sure.
Karl and Florian too, the only real robot in Kraftwerk has always been Ralf Hütter.
@@Alun49 Karl was the one that brought good melodies to their music.
Wolfgang Flur stated in this interview that he did not receive any "thank you" letters from music artists for Kraftwerk's influence on music, and that he only received them from his friends.
I would personally want to say this to Wolfgang Flur, Ralf Hutter, Florian Schneider, and Karl Bartos:
I want to thank you IMMENSELY for all the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears that you all went through to create and record the music that you made during your music group's career. Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!! :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Rusty Egan That was a nice tribute to a lot of Techno-Pop bands, as well as some other notable bands and music artists that were contemporaries with Kraftwerk, and some that were influenced by Kraftwerk. But where is Lene Lovich in this list? She incorporated Techno-Pop music into her repertoire as early as 1978, in her album, "Stateless". It became more pronounced in Lovich's 1980 album, "Flex", and her 1982 album, "No Man's Land".
I saw Lene Lovich Live in the late 70's I also Signed Jimmy O Neil who wrote Lucky Number his band the Silencers were a kind of Simple Minds Celtic band. Lene had no synths or electronica in her band like Ultravox or Magazine.
By 1980, Thomas Dolby was a member of Lene Lovich's band at that time. I remember watching Lene Lovich in concert on MTV in 1981, and she had an organ player, and Dolby playing the synthesizer and sequencer. Lovich herself referred to what Dolby did was playing "more keyboards" during the concert. As for myself, I always viewed Lene Lovich as a techno-pop pioneer during the time period between 1978 and 1982, when her album, "No Man's Land" was released, and it had the most strongest synthesizer sound in her musical repertoire.
Did not grace my ears. I did play Joe Jackson Martha and the Muffins Blondie Ian Dury XTC Yello lots of stuff but mostly looking for electronic beats or Motorik.Can I want More is an example
Second that!!
The interviewer here is actually a very talented and very missed young man named Malik Bendjelloul. He started as a child actor, became a journalist and later went on to film making. He won an Academy Award for his film "Searching for Sugarman", but ended his own some year later.
I am glad he and Wolfgang met. Wolfgang is so incredibly warm and intelligent, and when I started listening to Kraftwerk by age 5, it was Wolfgang who was my go to hero, and for many years I assumed that it was he who sang on the records, probably because he looked like a front figure most of them.
Can honestly say my life would have been a lot emptier without Kraftwerk.
Same!! I discovered them when I was a teenager in the mid 2000s and still love their albums to this day.
ME TOOOOOOOO!!! 😀
@@marstarmiller I've loved them since 1981. First time seeing them in concert 2006. 👍😂
Your life would be a million times richer, if you were saved in Jesus Christ, who died for you, on the cross.
I reckon that most people who enjoy any type of modern electronic or pop music would have emptier or vastly different lives without Kraftwerk.
:-)
"It's good to be a bit crazy"
Words to live by
Wolfgang Flur has always seemed to be the most "accessible" of all Kraftwerk members. You can see and tell his "friendliness" in this interview. I don't see too any interviews with Ralf and never one with Florian. Karl remains quiet and a bit "distant," also. Music seemed to be an "outlet" for Ralf, who was definitely "die Intellektueller" of the group. Florian seemed bored at times, and seemed like he didn't want to be bothered - very introverted. Karl made his contributions, but as Wolfgang says, Kraftwerk was Ralf and Florian's "baby."
It was great to see and hear this group even in the U.S. We are dominated by the "longhairs," cranking out Blues-based melodies with peeling guitars. The formula stayed the same throughout the decades. The British tried to emulate us, either with The Beatles, Clapton, or Jimmy Page. These German guys looked so "normal," that they were "shocking." I was glad that they could bridge East and West with some lyrics in Russian and English, although they were Germans. Yes, they even sang in Japanese sometimes. Truly an international group with an outlook on "internationality" and "unity." They will truly be missed. But, we all must get old, mustn't we?
Wolfgang Flur stands out as the "statesman" for Kraftwerk. I sure would like to improve my German speaking with him. Yes, a "nice," "accessible" person. Way deep down under, he always seems to be smiling. Vielen dank,. Wolfgang, for your musical and intellectual contributions with Kraftwerk and beyond. :)
What a lovely man.. I would love to get showed around the city by Wolfgang!
Nice interview Wolfgang seems a nice man,and seems not to take himself too serious which is nice
About 10 years ago I had the honour of meeting him and he IS as nice as he seems
yep, i like that either - big fan of brian eno here and he appears to be the same... :-)
What a fantastic thing to see. A decent, honest man and very obliging to the film crew. I particularly loved his completely average car and cassette player.
HE WAS MY FAVOURITE ON KRAFTWERK, He´s a really good person, hope he succeeds in all his music projects.
He's a Robot with a heart and mind of his own.
Kraftwerk will always be one of the most important technet pop style bands in the world. Today 6-5-2020 we have physically lost its founding member, Florian Schneider, who will always be persistent with the works he left, thank you so much Wolfgang Flür, Florian Schneider, Ralf Hutter and to everyone who made Kraftwerk the iconic band, the techno pop, legends of electronic music!
Florian is alive still with his energy running through the circuits of the Synths
Wolfgang Flür is a very kind person , a real gentleman ! I'm a bit disappointed because of how was his situation in the band and that they no longer keep in touch with each other .
Just a drummer who done his job . But he did perfectly ! Either way , he has been a part of this amazing band , and he was involved in the creation of their music and the concerts .
About the video : The tv-crew was ridiculous and didn't respected him enough , but still they got the best interview of their life . They're very lucky .
The sound girl was unbelievably rude, the interviewer seemed to be out of his depth, the editing is shocking, but Wolfgang was such a lovely guy, a great insight into the machinations of Kraftwerk as a band, and Florian & Ralf individually is telling
He's a cool person and very wise.
This man is SO kind & endearing ~ what a privilege to get such an up-close & personal interview with him and to hear his first-hand insights to the other band members & overall Kraftwerk "employee experience". What a gentleman to be so engaging. I'd love to hear more about his musical education/history, how he came to play drums & percussion, his favorite type of music, & what he likes to listen to - then & now. I wonder if Kraftwerk will ever get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?! What Pioneers!
What a nice , unassuming and open gentleman.Very interesting and revealing interview.
There are plenty more affectionate words regarding wolfgang (and of course the other memebers) in Karl Bartos' book The Sound of the Machine, a great book by Karl and really detailed and humorous too, can't recommend it enough. Long live the Classic Kraftwerk line up in music history.
I'm on the last chapter of Karl Bartos' book. Over six hundred pages. The book was a birthday gift to me from my daughter. I was shocked since I didn't know the book existed.
Karl keeps a good amount of information close to the vest. It's mostly an exploration of his musical journey, the places he hung out and the creative times within the band. It starts out pretty hopeful and almost ends of a sad note. I'm still floored by the amount of classical percussion training he had under his belt before even joining Kraftwerk.
His position in the group made him over-qualified. Kraftwerk's style of music didn't allow Karl or Wolfgang to show off their talents.
Anyway at my age, I don't know where I'd be without all those wonderful hours listening to Kraftwerk. I have a two year old grandson that loves listening to "The Robots" and mimics the "show room dummies" much to my great amusement. If he's anything at all like his Papa, he'll think back to the days when we shared those special moments listening to Kraftwerk's Techno Pop after I'm gone from this planet.
@@n.miller907…. Wow thank y’all for this discovery.. I’m 51 and just now finding that there is this book 📕 .. I must get it .. blessings to y’all 🙏🏿
I can't imagine getting into a car with Wolfgang and driving around Dusseldorf. My mind would be blown. Great interview.
+WarRogers Imagine getting into HIS car, driving around Dusseldorf, and then he offering to play some of his new music that no one else had heard yet...
Frankfurt, they had the interview in Frankfurt.
Because there, Kraftwerk was founded and they had their studio there, too.
In Düsseldorf, he is living since he was 7...
"Can you play 'Autobahn' please?". Mind=blown.
@@elmomz
No? This is filmed in Düsseldorf. The streetnames he mentions and locations are all in Düsseldorf, where Kraftwerk lived and worked, and also bands like Neu!, Rheingold, CAN, Propaganda, etc, originated from.
@@Wuppie62 even the recording Studio???
I could watch them follow him around all day. To the supermarket, to the cleaners, to the park, literally anywhere. The more mundane the better.
He is a lovely and interesting man... I could follow him around all day...but not in a creepy way, I just think he would be a fascinating person to know.
ha! EXACTLY! Felt the same way watching this video & getting to know him.
Fascinating person, very down to earth.
Lovely lovely man 🥰
I really feel sorry for Wolfgang and how Ralf and Florian have treated him!... He is a lovely guy and he played a very important part in Kraftwerk's overall success..Ralf and Florian should recognise that and treat him accordingly!...Anyway Wolfgang your music with Kraftwerk has greatly influenced the kind of music I love today and from where I stand you will be immortalised as a true musical genius! 😊
I guess Florian and Ralf did not realised what they have done to Karl and Wolfgang, because they were to busy. The Synclavier was their failure. The sould have used a fairlight instead... But the fairlight and emulator were too cheap in Ralfs and Florians opinion i guess
Kraftwerk after 1991 started broke mix isn't very good i think they did wrong with selling all things did they sold selfmade drums too? If yes i cant belive i could sell anything but not thing that got made in one 1 piece
It's too late for Florian as he's gone since 2 years.
What an intelligent, honest and talented man. Thank you for rising above the others in your band and recognizing the fans,people that appreciate and give an interview..I think the others should be honest with themselves that they are NOTHING without others (fans).They can make all the music they want but don't expect money.. He doesn't eat meat! Awesome!! I love how Germany is taking stands against animal cruelty and recognizing that eating meat is wrong on so many levels. I love America but if they continue the most evil sins a human can do... Factory Farming.. I will move to another. I'd also like to say how incredibly intelligent all these men are. They are very multi lingual.
I like how he shows interest in the camera gear and asks questions....top bloke.
What an eloquent and charming man!
LOVE WOLFGANG..He deserved a betterinterviewer!
I AGREE
So awesome that they were able to interview Wolfgang. He seems like a man who's very enjoyable to be around, and immensely talented. Such a shame that he doesn't get along with Ralf and Florian, anymore. I think he's still good friends with Karl, though.
ccSentaiKai90 he's still friends with Florian since he left :)
I thought he said that he had chanced upon Florian, with his daughter, and that Florian had crossed the road without even saying hello to him.
MisAnnThorpe that was while he was in Kraftwerk as this interview was in 2001(?) Florian didn't leave till 2008
misannthorpe i thought that he was talking about Ralf on that part about crossing the road, BUT sinse then quite recently him and florian have become friends again.
@@terminalfrost3645 The problem with Ralf is that he has grown a full ego, but deep down, he's still a good person.
That ending is really hard hitting.
Ralf looks so sad .... why does he look so sad?
I agree. many layers to that thought.
One of the museum's genuine articles is waltzing right through and no one so much as bats an eye.
Haha true. Sad and hilarious at the same time.
Wolfgang is both cool and nice.
He seems like such a thoughtful man. It's a shame that his split with the band got so acrimonious.
that was great, a gentleman indeed...
Great interview and Wolfgang Flür is indeed the important man in shaping the sound of drums and percussion in the music of Kraftwerk. His solo albums are superb listening experiences too, with a lot of humor, with many reminiscences on Kraftwerk. The music really takes us in an alternative universe. Thank you Wolfgang Flür for great music.
Well said, Medard - and thank you Wolfgang! You come across as a really nice guy: I'm yet another music tragic who would happily tag along with you on a tour! Please keep composing and releasing!
What are the names of his solo albums?
What an honour to have tagged along with this guy
Thank you Woflgang Flür, such a touching interview from the heart and soul.
Vielen Dank,Wolfgang Flür,dies Interview war eine wahre Freude für einen langjährigen Kraftwerk-Fan!!❤️👏👏💐Informativ und warmherzig!🙏🙏
This is a very good interview of Wolfgang Flur. It provided a lot more insight into what was happening in Kraftwerk in the late-1970s and into the 1980s, and the issues that kept the group from recording and releasing an album at a critical time in music history in the early-to-mid-1980s, as well as into the 1990s. This interview also provided a more deeper glimpse into the human side of Wolfgang Flur, more so than in any other previous interview of him that I have seen. The voters on the induction committee for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame need to watch this interview, and this footage should then convince the members there to vote to induct Kraftwerk into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
What " Rock and Roll " , they are in the Hall of Fame of Music !
(I said the same ... not having seen your comment prior to it... but INDEED - They need to be properly recognized & honored!)
He's much more candid than I've heard from any other member. Kraftwerk has certainly retained much of their mystique over the years!
She bangs on the wireless transmitter to make it work. "Technique..." says Wolfgang.
Would love to see all original kraftwerk members get back together for a world tour! Was very fortunate ro see them in Sheffield, England in 1981 and1991 at the same venue! Feel very privilaged!
You can't because Florian has died.
seems like a realy nice guy, and thanks for the music
Yep - if Kraftwerk had not bought a NED Synclavier II they might have produced more material between the time period of "Electric Cafe" and "The Mix".
Would love to see Wolfgang Flur back in Kraftwerk. I grew up on Kraftwerk. Autobahn album is one of my favorites! I saw them at The Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC.
That ship has long since sailed, sadly. It is a real shame that R&F chose the cold, business-like approach to fellow band members.
what a most sympathetic guy!
A shame hear they dont all get along anymore,their music was so unique.I spent many many enjoying their albums.Autobahn
was the beginning of a real love for electronic music.
Looks like 2 of Die Roboter became sentient. Bartos and Flür - legends!
This video ends at literally the perfect spot.
Why did Ralph look so sad? What a cliff-hanger...
I love how he always checks the sound with 'Boing Boom Tschak'
Yeah, and the 'Eins, Zwei, Drei' (Vier) it's like the starting of the Showroom Dummies ! Even if it was originally said by Ralf .
A good, talented, intelligent and...patient man!
I mean they all pile in Wolfgang's car! and then casually get a grand tour, amazing fella.
this was great fun to watch and I would love to see more interviews with Wolfgang Flür!
And nobody on the exposition recognized him 😲
I would recognise any one of them whatever haircut... especially Florian Schneider and Wolfgang who both have an 'out of time' look which isn't to do with hair or how they dress but more to do with having a look to their facial structure which is reminiscent of maybe the 1920's or 30's and it was a huge part of how I perceived Kraftwerk. It was a romantic vision of Europe in days gone by spliced with beautiful melodies and amazing sounds. I think Florian Schneider is kidding himself if he thinks he can fade into the background anywhere. I don't think any of the original members could but especially Wolfgang and Florian.
I totally agree about there appearance
Comes across as a realy decent bloke, Thank you Wolfgang, for all your music.
What an all round lovely man.
***THANKS*** ***DANKE*** Wolfgang Flür FOR ALL YOUR AWESOME WORK!!
The best electronic band ever...Loved these guys. They influenced me into appreciate technology music..Both DJ and production.
I am so thankful for all the band members of Kraftwerk without them I would never have had the music in my head that I have today, they expanded my musical interest back when l was just a kid, l'm 62 y/o now it's hard to believe Wolfgang is 72 y/o and also a real shame that the band members don't like him.
They were the original pioneers of electronic music!
Happy birthday, Wolfgang! 🎉
This interview Wolfgang Flur reminds me about Alan Wilder the member of Depeche Mode ...
I love the German accent
I love this non-conformistic open man and in some funny way, 'his face', if I may put it like this, for me, was THE face of KRAFTWERK: characteristic, surreal almost, abstract and that specific KRAFTWERK-look! A very special person, very intelligent and totally neglecting all that is 'today's world'...love it! Ein warmer Grüss, Herr Wolfgang Flür.
Wolfgang Flur is a true artist.
Time Pie is phenomenal
Danke Wolfgang für dieses offenherzlich, und sehr informative Interview.
hochinteressanter Einblick in die Welt von Kraftwerk
Absolutely interesting, I love this uncut version, have watched it completely.
Wow the Sinclavier! The craziest synth from the '70s. I have heard a lot about it.
A wonderful German gentleman. Class act.
"How long does your *machine* run?" - Wolfgang Flür.
Alot of Kraftwork in old skool hip hop
It’s was interesting how he described the period during the transition from analog synths and analog/tape recording to digital synths (along midi sequencers/ digital recording, etc. and you had to sync everything up also). He said they spent all of their time just working on the studio and learning it. Sure everything works fine now but what a nightmare it was when things were still developing and things didn’t work. I don’t know about everyone else but the first time being faced w operating digital synths and navigating its menus and pages was a PITA. It’s not like an analog synth with all the knobs right there in front of you. It is a more productive and natural workflow I think, especially for old school guys to just play everything to tape live, just vibe w the track and play - no fighting with equipment and fixing sequenced riffs, and whatever other technical issues you’re faced with. It’s prob why they were more productive in the early years.
I grew up with KRAFTWERK: Florian, Ralf, Wolfgang and Karl is the ONLY Kraftwerk. Eins zwei drei vier fünf sechs sieben acht...... Thanks to Wolfgang.
Thank you #WolfgangFlür! (P.S.: I always thought that you were the cutest one! Still do! 😍)
Also.. "He looks damm good for his age!"
What R&B was to white pop in the 50's, 60's & 70's rock/pop music, Kraftwerk is to everything 80's on... no doubt
KRAFTWERK For ever ...La verdad
"How funny I was, when I was a puppet! and how glad I am, now that I've become a proper boy!" (Pinocchio)
👏👏👏💖💖💖
28.00 ff. versteht nur ein Rheinländer. Herrlich, Danke Wolfgang! Da geht mir das Herz auf.
Lubię bardzo Wolfganga Fluera. Coś wniósł do KRAFTWERKU .... 👍
Wow .. that would have been an amazing moment… to be in that museum.. with him 🙏🏿
I saw him performing live in London a few days ago. after the show I got my original Autobahn vinyl which I found and bought for £1 in a charity shop signed by him :) Now to try and find the other 3 members to sign it too. Where the hell do I start? It's just not gonna happen is it :(
No and the chances are that Wolfgang's signature on the cover may have even devalued it!
doubt it.
@@MisAnnThorpe how
Lovely to finally meet you at Concorde 2 in Brighton this weekend 1st October 2022 Wolfgang, that made up my world and thank you Cx / TREPANIC :)
The two journalists here appear clumsy and unprepared. Wolfgang is very, very patient. They argue in the car.
8:30 this is the truth, all the 80's sound wouldn't have been without Kraftwerk's records.
12:05 OUCH
Amazing interview
This is beautiful honest piece of history ..so so brutal yet beautiful honestly..iI love it ..
THANK YOU
He want to present some of he´s new music and that damn girl keeps talking. Show some respect!
yes she was rude thoughout nthe whole thing......ignorant cow
INSIGHT!! Cheers for the video.
Woohoo!🎉 love Wólfgang’s track, which, is old now, however, the only time frame
One of my heroes. I have loved Kraftwerk for 42 years now, and I still do❤️🙏👍
untill 1991 (The Mix ;-( ) they were ever been consequent in their concept, postmodern avantgarde during the punk aera. wolgang flürs and karl Bartos´ reduced minimalistic electronic drums are awesome
hes a beaut
Oh wow, the last minute is fantastic. The suspense and pay off are nice. haha
What a fun interview. Thanks for sharing!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR AWESOME MUSIC THAT NEVER PASSED AND ALWAYS SOUNDS NEW ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE LIKE NO OTHER ⚡️
He's from near where my mother was born in Hessen and his accent in English is almost the same. Hessiche Platt.
Thanks for you’re brilliant music boys
I had no idea Wofgang has been involved in creating so much music since Kraftwerk. Great stuff. Made my day
(Thanks itunes)
loved kraftwerk listened to all there tracks in ireland
This is a great interview.Fantastic.
Genuine heart , I love that*
A gentleman.