The Düsseldorf workshop and early sound experiments
Driving into the future on the Autobahn
We are the robots
The global echo: From Düsseldorf to Detroit
YOUR GOAL
Master of How four Germans in grey suits invented the future of music
gertrude Kraftwerk recreated the experience of a highway road trip using electronic music
gertrude The Synthesized Autobahn
Hear the passing cars whooshing by on a synthesizer road!
gertrude Conductive drumsticks touch metal-plated pads on Wolfgang Flür's custom electronic drum board.
gertrude A vintage Minimoog synthesizer showing its wooden frame, control knobs, and musical keyboard.
gertrude Mix synthesizer tracks to discover how Kraftwerk crafted a new German identity.
Autobahn lyric pun: The famous lyric 'Fahr'n fahr'n fahr'n auf der Autobahn' sounds exactly like the English phrase 'Fun, fun, fun' when sung quickly.
A high-speed expressway in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. In 1974, Kraftwerk released a landmark electronic track mimicking the rhythmic experience of motoring on this highway.
How did Kraftwerk's percussionist Wolfgang Flür trigger sounds on his custom electronic drum pads?
Which associate of the band designed the iconic highway-sign album cover for Autobahn?
Which acoustic instrument, played by Klaus Röder on the Autobahn album, was custom-modified to be electronic?
What major stylistic shift did Autobahn represent for Kraftwerk compared to their earlier works?
In what year did Kraftwerk release their breakthrough electronic concept album Autobahn?
Which portable analog synthesizer, purchased in 1974, became central to the Autobahn album's sound?