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Ground Control Touring Welcomes Michael Rother

Posted 09/09/2024

For many fans, musicians and critics alike the guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Michael Rother is a key figure of the innovative music scene originating from Germany in the early 1970s. His music has been inspirational for generations of musicians – from David Bowie, Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, DEVO, Sonic Youth, Stereolab, U2, Radiohead, Primal Scream, and beyond.

Michael Rother was a member of Kraftwerk in 1971 and formed the legendary bands NEU! (with Klaus Dinger) and Harmonia (with Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius of Cluster) before releasing 10 solo albums and creating music for theatre and films (e.g. Houston and The Robbers).

Michael Rother has collaborated with numerous musicians and bands like e.g. Brian Eno, John Frusciante, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dieter Moebius, Paul Weller, Yann Tiersen, Iggy Pop, Stephen Morris (New Order/Joy Division), Steve Shelley and Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth).

Since the official re-release of the NEU! albums in 2001 Rother has been continously playing live in many countries around the world, from Europe, North and South America, Mexico, China and Russia, to Japan, Korea and Australia.

In 2019 and 2020, Groenland Records released the two box sets Michael Rother – Solo & Michael Rother – Solo 2 featuring all of his solo records, including his latest solo album ‘Dreaming’.

2022 saw the the release of the album ‘As Long As The Light’, Michael Rother ́s first collaboration with the Italian musician Vittoria Maccabruni who joins Rother for live appearances these days.

2022 also marked the 50th anniversary of the first NEU! album for which Groenland Records released a boxset containing the first 3 NEU! albums plus 2 tribute albums with reworks & remixes inspired by NEU! for which musicians and bands like The National, Mogwai, Idles, Stephen Morris (New Order/Joy Division), Yann Tiersen, ManMan, They Hate Change, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Fink and Guerilla Toss contributed new recordings.

In 2024, the first Harmonia album ‘Musik von Harmonia’ from 1974 was released by Grönland Records in a special edition as double vinyl and CD celebrating its 50th anniversary. Musicians like David Pajo, SQÜRL (Jim Jarmusch & Carter Logan), Matthew Herbert, Marta Salogni, Dextro, Kaleema and Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai) contributed remixes and works inspired by Harmonia. Michael Rother and Vittoria Maccabruni recorded 2 new tracks for this release.

Michael Rother ́s current live line-up includes Hans Lampe (La Düsseldorf) on drums, Franz Bargmann (ex Camera) on guitar and Vittoria Maccabruni on electronics and occasional vocals. On their US tour in 2025, they will play a selection of favourite tracks from Michael Rother ́s long career, including fast-forward tracks from NEU! and Harmonia as well as his Solo Works.

Related Artists: Michael Rother