Goodbye Moog

[greatbear]

As some of my readership has known (or at least figured out by now) I have a very strong interest in music. Also, I have just as strong an interest in electronics. Both of these seemingly unrelated interests seemed to become a part of me in my earliest years. So, it is no surprise that any melding of these two is bound to strike a chord (no pun intended) in me. Between the electric guitar and, especially, the synthesizer I have found my 'core' music interests. Progressive rock of course strongly mixes these two instruments. In fact, the synthesizer is widely credited for spawning the prog rock genre.

Today though, I cannot help but feel saddened, since Robert Moog, the inventor of the first widely used, commercially viable synthesizer has died.

A true pioneer, Bob Moog changed the face of music forever with his creations. And recently, the Moog and other 'classic' analog synths are enjoying a comeback, both as the original instruments are being restored, or digital equivalents in hardware or software are being developed. So, Mr. Moog was reminded about his valuable contribution in recent years. I hope he died well, knowing the lives he touched still thank him.

One of many stories of Robert Moog.

Comments

[jkusters]

I read about that today and wondered how many people I know would even know who Moog was. I decided that it would be far too few, so decided not to say much about it. I'm glad to see I'm somewhat wrong.

JOhn.

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

I'm just young enough that synthesizers came in during my childhood, so they've pretty much been a part of music ever since I can remember. Because of that, I remember the time when ANY kind of synthesizer was referred to generically as a "Moog".

I've also noticed there's continuing interest in one of the first really powerful digital synthesizers - the Fairlight Computer Musical Instrument, or CMI for short. One of my favorite albums (Ebn-Ozn's Feeling Cavalier) probably would never have been made without the Fairlight CMI.

And it all started with Robert Moog. Farewell, sir.

[in-fin-i-ty.livejournal.com]

By the time I got into synthesizers they were way past the Moog era though I find myself constantly using that sort of mono-phonic sweepy/Moogy sound.

[patrock.livejournal.com]

the first featured Moog was "Because"

I was just recently playing one that my roommate has to record a cover of Clinic's "Walking With Thee". I was only going to use it on two little parts but then I sat there and played around with it for like 3 hours.

...that Rush icon nearly made me spit soda, so great

[fuzzbearmark.livejournal.com]

I was always fascinated by Moog Synthesizer music and we had a local factory here in Williamsville, NY.