I normally wouldn't post something like this, as it is a business, but if I'm going to be unbiased and focus on synths I'm going to post it. I just got the Zzounds newsletter and this was in it. Well done zZounds. Here's a free promo on me. : )
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zZounds Remembers Bob Moog
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This week, zZounds pays tribute to the late godfather of
the modern synthesizer, Bob Moog. On Sunday, August 21,
2005, Robert A. Moog passed away at his home in Asheville,
North Carolina. He leaves behind a legacy that has shaped
the world of music from rock to techno, classical to hip
hop. Moog's instruments sparked an electronic revolution
that left no genre untouched, no musical stone uncovered.
Bob Moog's electronic instrument legacy began with an
early obsession with the theremin, one of history's first
electronic musical instruments. In 1954, Moog began
building theremins with his father, developing his skill
with electronics. After later buildling voltage
controlled oscillators and envelope generators as a
student, a friendship with experimental composer Herbert
Deutsch led to the development of Moog's first "Moog
Modular Synthesizer". The Moog Modular debuted at AES in
1964 to warm acclaim and R. A. Moog's first few orders.
After its release, Moog's Modular Synthesizer was
championed by Wendy Carlos' hit album "Switched on Bach",
performed exclusively on Moog's Modular. Selling over a
million albums, Moog's sound could be heard on phonographs
and in concert halls throughout the world-- and the
instrument had begun to catch on to an audience of its
own. The Beatles used a Moog synth for their Abbey Road
album. Wendy Carlos returned to the Modular to produce
the soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange".
Stevie Wonder employed Moog synthesizers on his albums of
the time and countless artists followed suit.
In the following decades, Moog's synths became smaller,
lighter, and more affordable. The Minimoog brought
electronic music to a wider community of musicians, making
synthesis more accessible to every musical genre. The
result is now a part of history, as other synth
manufacturers like ARP, Korg, Roland, and Yamaha began
following Moog's lead. Robert A. Moog essentially pushed
music synthesis out of the laboratory and into the hands
of musicians across the globe. What could have expired as
a musical novelty was given immortality in Moog's synths.
Today, you can't listen to any hip hop or electronic song
without hearing Moog's influence. Rock has felt it just
the same-- try listening to Radiohead, Gwen Stefani, or
the Gorillaz without hearing a synth. We all owe a lot to
Bob Moog, his dedication, and his amazing dream. In his
memory, throw on Floyd, some Parliament, or some Kraftwerk
and get Switched On. Thank you Bob.
