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Kraftwerk in Concert Sunday, June 7th, 1998, SF Warfield
These are a few pictures of the greatest electronic pioneers ever. "Musical Workers" as they like to be called. I saw Kraftwerk in San Francisco at the Warfield in June of 1998. They finally toured after so many years. They were on their "Mix" Tour, as it's often referred. It was an incredible experience for me. I've listen to the group at the start of the release of The Man Machine. Something so rare and incredible as to finally get to see Kraftwerk after so many years.
The crowd enjoyed and appreciated it as well, stomping and clapping and cheering with what seemed like a twenty minute standing ovation. And yet even though the concert was over, the best was yet to come for some of us.
After the concert, we waited and waited hoping to see the quartet from Dusseldorf. First there was Fritz Hilpert, Kraftwerk new member he slipped out that back briefly as he was assisting Florian with the break-down of the equipment. Some of us were calling out to him as well as Florian, which worked. Fritz came up and started signing autographs for a few fans and he also signed my concert t-shirt. He also briefly talked with some fans who drove all the way from Oregon to San Francisco for the concert. Fritz then went back to taking apart the "deck of the Enterprise". We kept calling Florian, who was wearing one of those golf caps with the snap in the front. He just ignored us and kept "werking" hehe.
And then finally, luckily we saw Ralph, the other co-founder of Kraftwerk. I was in shock and felt paralized to do anything when he first came out. I just stared at him. There he was, the other co-founder of KRaftwerk. He started signing autographs quickly and so I rushed in. Ralph then tried to autographed my concert shirt. He signed it as best he could with an ball point pen I borrowed from another fan. Ralph said, in a quiet voice, "Your pen, it does not write." I went into a panic, and then I luckily put my camera under the t-shirt so he could sign it as best he could. I still couldn't believe it. He was right in front of me! Talking to me! My brother got behind him and cued me back into reality to take this picture when I barely felt worthy to take. The time waiting seemed like an hour and a half and happened so quickly afterwards. I cannot wear the t-shirt as it has become such a holy momento :)
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Ralph, Henry, and the guy from Oregon
As I took the picture, hands trembling, I looked through the lense feeling anxious, nervous, and reluctant. I was not worthy to capture the image of one of the co-founding fathers of electronic music. My brother just smiled smuggly. Had my brother not snapped me into reality, I would have not been able to snap this pic. |
By pressing down a special key, it plays a little melody...uh..well...most of the time : )
The most amusing time was during Pocket Calculator. Florian's "musical calculator" was malfunctioning and so after banging it a few times, he gave up and just let it dangle in front of him and stared at it has he swung it like a pendulum. It was so hilarious and the crowd laughed and whistled and cheered. |
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Power Station Hardware
Mmmm....Kling Klang Studio...drool.
Hmm? now if I could just figure out which of those cases has a robot in it? |
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We are the Robots!
Not the best seats in the house, but binoculars helped. This part of the concert showed off Kraftwerk's artistic and futuristic persona.
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