RIP Bob Moog

Update: I just heard back from the author of the track I wanted to post. This link will take you to it. Four tracks of minimoog. A tribute to Bob Mood from David Brans via AH. Enjoy.

Well, the dust seems to be settling for the day. The boards and mailing lists were buzzing with kind words, thanks, and cherished memories of Dr. Robert A. Moog. I've spent the last couple of days reading, listening, watching and sharing. Someone on the AH list said something perfectly. Different people deal with loss in different ways. That was like a breath of fresh air to me. I (and I like to believe others) sometimes have a tendancy to second guess myself and how I may be perceived in my handling of such things. I sometimes feel guilt as to who am I to even comment on such a thing. I say two things to this, one, show others respect in this time of grief, and two, don't ever sell yourself short. If you feel and you care, do so. The pain and grief may pale in comparison to those closest to him, but if it is there, it is there, don't dismiss that. And don't disrespect others by selling that short. People deal with things differently. The amazing thing is this diversity is in Bob Moog's instruments. He always claimed to be a toolmaker not a musician. He spent time with musicians and took their feedback into the design of his instruments. He understood that, and most importantly he understood and cherished the uniqueness of each individual playing one of his instruments. I really wanted to link to a piece of music posted on AH, but I promised the author I would not post unless I had his permission. I haven't heard back so I will not post it until I do. I respect that. But I do want to share a song that brought tears to my eyes this Saturday. I was driving up to Bellingham with my wife and daughter and she played The Captain by Kasey Chambers. I couldn't help but think of Bob and what he meant to so many.

...
Well I have handed all my efforts in
I searched here for my second wind
Is there someone here to let me in I asked
So I slammed the doors they slammed at me
I found the place I'm meant to be
I figured out my destiny at last
You be the Captain
And I'll be no-one
And you can carry me away if you want to
And you can lay low
Just like your father and if
I tread upon your feet you just say so
'Cos you're The Captain, I am no-one,
I tend to feel as though I owe one to you, to you
Did I forget to thank you for the ride
I hadn't tried I tend to runaway and hide
You be the Captain
And I'll be no-one
And you can carry me away if you want to
And you can lay low
Just like your father and if
I tread upon your feet you just say so
'Cos you're The Captain, I am no-one,
I tend to feel as though I owe one to you, to you
You're the captain and I am no-one
and I owe one to you


We are all going to miss you greatly Bob. Not only did you bring music to our world, but you brought great diversity. You were a bit of everything to everyone. Nothing will ever change that. Thank you.

Moog Movie Site

Some just find the right words. From the Moog Movie site:

Bob Moog (1934-2005)
You live in our music and in our hearts.
Rest in peace...

Analog Days

http://www.hup.harvard.edu/features/pinana/index.html

Putting this up more for my own reference to get later.

"Tracing the development of the Moog synthesizer from its initial conception to its ascension to stardom in Switched-On Bach, from its contribution to the San Francisco psychedelic sound, to its wholesale adoption by the worlds of film and advertising, Analog Days conveys the excitement, uncertainties, and unexpected consequences of a new technology that would provide the soundtrack for a critical chapter of our cultural history."

Update from AH (make sure to read the comments section for more). Personally I still plan to get it. There may be some mistakes but overall it should be a good read:
"It's also said to contain a lot of B.S. with attributions to people
who simply didn't do certain things the author says they did.

For one, Dan Wyman who ran SoundArts in L.A. in the 70s, and who
WROTE the Moog modular manual, was quite ticked-off when he read the
book and saw so many historical inaccuracies."

Wonderful, now what? ; )

Synthtopia on Moog

Click here for the post.

The first Minis

via Till Kopper

Check out this shot of the Minimoog Model A, B, C and finally D that became the standard. There is also a custom double mini in there. I had to do a double take. Funny. Title link takes you to bigger picture on Till Kopper's site.

Minimoog Voyager Prototype - Winter NAMM 2000

In via AH. Click here for Bob introducing the Minimoog Voyager prototype at the Winter 2000 NAMM show. I forgot aobut this one, but remember it when it came out. Note the lack of touch pad control surface, the bank of switches in the lower center, and full laden knobs accross the surface.

Update: It was a non functioning display unit.

Bob Moog, Lydia Kavina and William Olsen

http://www.cyndustries.com/bobmoog.htm

In via AH and Synth Sights. Lydia Kavina is Leon Theremin's neice.

Create Digital Music on Remembering Moog

Make sure to check out Create Digital Music for their coverage on Bob Moog. The have a link up to an audioMIDI interview of Bob Moog and the Voyager and much more. In the video he calls out that the Minimoog Voyager is exactly the same as a Minimoog Model D plus enhancements. You always hear about this, but there is a certain validity added to it when actually hearing it from the man himself.

Reboot Stereophonic

Update: From Steve-O in the comments section:
"i just got a copy of this -- double album -- if you like early kraftwerk, you will like this big time"

Update: Direct link to Reboot Stereophonic for release dates and more. This one is supposed to come out November 2005. Interesting thing is they call it Gershon Kingsley's Jewish Moog instead. Wonder if this is a different album.

Via Boing Boing. Meant to post this earlier today but got caught up in everything else. Reboot Stereophic is "a new non-profit record label reissuing (stay with me here) classic space age bachelor pad Jewish music." Brilliant. : )

NPR - Music Visionary Robert Moog

Another NPR piece on Bob Moog's passing. Title link takes you to NPR's All Things Considered with Music Visionary Robert Moog by Elizabeth Blair. This is different than the earlier NPR post.