WRITTEN BY THEO SCHEAR / FOR·MA·TIVE CONTRIBUTING MEDIA PRODUCER
“Without Kraftwerk, this whole genre we call techno may not have ever been.” – Art Payne
Just over ten years ago, Detroit’s techno originators known as “The Belleville Three”—Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson—hosted German electronic legends Kraftwerk for a late-night celebration of their unlikely transatlantic musical alliance.
Following Kraftwerk’s tour date at the Masonic Temple Theatre on October 5, 2015, the afterparty at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit was packed well over the 1,200-person capacity. The “very sold out” museum party still felt intimate, with family and friends reunited on the dance floor and in the booth.
For a segment on Detroit Public Television, I had the opportunity to interview Juan and document that memorable night. Young and naive to the magnitude of the event, I was fortunate to have the support of powerhouse producer Nancy Gavoor who made everything happen smoothly. Nancy’s sister Laura Gavoor was central to the global success of Detroit techno, manager and agent to many of the key players before she tragically passed away in 2002. Looking back now, it feels like fate brought us all together that evening to document the historic moment.
Producer: Nancy Gavoor (@hyenergylife), Theo Schear (@TheoSchear)
Camera: Cameron Giniel, Andrew Kent, Peter Littlejohn (@peter.littlejohn), Sam Schaefer (@2pacshafar)
Kevin Saunderson’s sons, Damarii and Dantiez, and Deep Space Crew member Art Payne warmed up the booth for Mike Grant and Eddie Fowlkes, who then ceded the floor to the original three. Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson were in their early fifties, about a decade younger than their German counterparts. Despite their collective age, the party went strong past 2 AM. Libations, however, were likely healthier than during their younger years.
“What are you drinking?” Juan asked Ralf Hütter, Kraftwerk’s keyboardist and lead singer.
“Juice.”
The set lists were packed with classics: Derrick May’s “Strings of Life,” Channel One’s “Technicolour,” Kraftwerk’s “Pocket Calculator,” and Model 500’s “No UFOs.” A special moment arrived late in the night with Juan Atkins at the helm and his Kraftwerk comrades by his side. With camera flashes strobing on big smiles, Atkins skillfully mixed Kraftwerk’s “Numbers” into “Computer World” and then clenched hands with Ralf in a show of love and solidarity.
That night was not only an introduction to the world of Detroit techno, but a lesson in the art of reverence. In the spirit of Detroit’s love for Kraftwerk, I aspire to share my reverence for Detroit as a new AYLI contributor.
