KRAFTWERK CO-FOUNDER SCHNEIDER QUITS BAND

Schneider's departure was confirmed on the group's official website on Monday (05Jan09). There was no reason given.

The star formed the revolutionary group along with Ralf Huetter in 1970 and transformed to face of electronic music throughout the decade with their use of synthesisers.

They expanded the band to a four-piece soon after, and continually changed the group's line-up.

Rumours suggesting Schneider was preparing to step down from the group circled after he failed to take part in Kraftwerk's 2008 tour, citing commitments to other projects as the reason for his absence.

The band - now made up of Huetter, Stefan Pfaffe, Fritz Hilpert and Henning Schmitz - will still hit the road with Radiohead on their upcoming South American tour, which kicks off in March (09).

Kraftwerk will also stick to their tour dates in Germany the following month (Apr09).