RIP Klaus Dinger
Nobody in the English-language music press seems to be reporting it–even at Pitchfork, which is usually on top of these things–but Klaus Dinger, cofounder of krautrock greats Neu! and La Dusseldorf, died of heart failure on March 21. He was four days shy of his 62nd birthday.
Dinger was a composer and drummer, most responsible for the "motorik" rhythm that defined early Kraftwerk, Neu!, and much of the small "krautrock" movement. He and the other half of Neu!, Michael Rother, also anticipated the remix trend when they ran out of money for their second album and simply filled one side with versions of two previously released songs that they had manipulated by speeding up, slowing down, and warping tape.
Dinger's second band, La Dusseldorf had a tremendous influence on the work of Brian Eno and David Bowie, particularly their "German" collaborations on Low, Heroes, and Lodger.
Still, Neu! remains Dinger's definitive work. The below video isn't terribly interesting to look at, but does feature the band's signature song, "Hallogallo."
So long, Klaus.
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Dinger tribute on the podcast this week!Subscribe FreeAdd to my PageThis show is dedicated to the memory and the fab drumming of Klaus Dinger. Klaus, we hardly knew ye! Plus, what would happen if Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard had a baby? I don't know either, in fact perish the thought of that high octane coupling, but I know that would sound a lot by this week's exclusive track by the JIM JONES REVUE! Mix in some Krautrock and some Danny Gatton and Buck Owens and you've got a truly horrifying rock and roll stew. Hang onto your gallbladder, friends, it's time to rock!
Neu!-Hallogallo
Death Cab for Cutie-I Will Posses Your Heart
Caribou-After Hours
Datarock-Computer Camp Love
Faust-The Sad Skinhead
LCD Soundsystem-Big Ideas
Wilco-Spiders (Kidsmoke)
Jim Jones Revue-Princess and Frog
The Lost Crusaders-The Downward Road
The Surgens-Credit Card Girl
The Downders-Genocide
Danny Gatton-Rumble/Harlem Nocturne (live 1977)
The Raconteurs-Top Yourself
Simple Kid-Lil' Kong Kong
The Black keys-Psychotic Girl
The Pixies-Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf)
Buck Owens- Cryin' Time