The krautrock legend joins a select list of international artists to be awarded the honour.

As founder of influential krautrock band Can, Irmin Schmidt’s place in musical history is already confirmed. He’s set to be immortalised in a different way later this month however, as he’s due to be awarded a knighthood by the French Ministry of Culture for his contribution to arts and culture.

Otherwise known as the Chevalier De L’Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres, the award will put Schmidt alongside Philip Glass, Kylie Minogue and Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo in the list of notable musical recipients. Those looking to attend the ceremony in Berlin on February 10 might be disappointed – attendance is strictly by the invitation of the French Embassy.

Last year an 80-minute TV recording from Can’s early days in 1970 surfaced online – watch that below, and revisit FACT’s list of the 20 best krautrock records ever made.