Dear Friends, Every day I am touched by the love and appreciation that people around the world have for my father. Several weeks ago we-our fearless Foundation intern & I-went to NAMM, where people ranging from salesmen on the floor to Stevie Wonder made a point to tell me that my father was an amazing man, and that the work of this Foundation is important.
One person whose life & work was inspired by my father was Ikataro Kakehashi, the founder of Roland. I was honored to be able to talk to him for a few minutes. We had met once about 27 years ago, when he was visiting Dad at our house outside of Asheville. I was 11 or 12 at the time.
In the context of NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) - with nearly 85,000 people attending & over 1,500 vendors of musical instruments showing their wares-it was especially important to me to have Mr. Kakehashi, a living legend himself, pay such humble tribute to my father when we spoke.
Joe, our intern, and I had kept busy spreading the word about the foundation, and the response was fantastic. So many people opened up about Dad's impact on their lives, and spoke in reverent, loving terms of how Dad inspired them to become keyboardists & musicians of all stripes. It is exactly this inspiration that the foundation aims to carry forward.
It was wonderful to connect with Mr. Kakehashi after all this time, and he reminded me that he and Dad were lifelong acquantances; they first met in Japan in 1964 where Dad was demonstrating the theremin. It is awe-inspiring to think what both men accomplished from that time forward.
At the end of our conversation, I commented to Mr. Kakehashi that he must be so proud of the business that he has built. "Yes" he said "and your father is the foundation for my business." I have to admit, I was blown away. I walked away from that conversation completely humbled to be connected to a man who inspired so many people and profoundly impacted the course of so many lives.
With NAMM, our resolve to make this foundation a lasting tribute has strengthened. Honoring Bob Moog through the foundation is a unique and beautiful opportunity to carry his legacy of innovation, inspiration and curiosity forward to the next generation and beyond. I hope you'll take the important step that Mr. Kakehashi and many others have made - donate to keep Moog Foundation moving.
Wishing you all peace,
Michelle Moog-Koussa
Director, The Bob Moog Memorial Foundation for Electronic Music"
Previous Newsletters:
Bob Moog Foundation Newsletter #1
Bob Moog Foundation Newsletter #2
Bob Moog Foundation Newsletter #3
Bob Moog Foundation Newsletter #4
