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He passed away today, aged 73, after battling cancer.
The German musician co-founded Kraftwerk with Ralf Hütter in 1970 after they met two years previously as students at the Academy of Arts in Remscheid, before both going on to study at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf.
Schneider remained a key figure in the group who played a pivotal role in the beginnings of electronic music, before quitting in 2008. No reason for his departure was given with a short statement saying: "Florian Schneider leaves Kraftwerk after a 40-year partnership. This partnership has generated incredible music and huge advances in music technology."
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Kraftwerk said: “Kraftwerk co-founder and electro pioneer Ralf Hütter has sent us the very sad news that his friend and companion over many decades. Florian Schneider has passed away from a short cancer disease just a few days after his 73rd birthday.