German producer and sound engineer, owner of
Conny's Studio, born 3 May 1940 in Hütschenhausen, died from cancer 18 December 1987.
Plank is reputed for being the producer of
Kraftwerk's early records, helping to configure their sound.
In 1974 he built his legendary studio near Cologne, where he produced significant krautrock bands such as
Neu!,
Cluster (almost becoming a member of the band),
Ash Ra Tempel,
Holger Czukay (
Can), and
Guru Guru.
As a duo with
Dieter Moebius he recorded 4 albums, and during the 1980s his services aided a new generation of electronica influenced artists, such as
Devo,
Ultravox,
Joy Division, and the
Eurythmics.
He has also produced pop and rock artists such as The
Scorpions,
Clannad, and
Killing Joke; and has been called "the Phil Spector of Krautrock".
He was married to
Christa Fast.