If you knew Bob Moog, chances are you still associate him with the synthesizers that bear his name (which, by the way, rhymes with
“vogue”). He started experimenting with his landmark electronic-music instrument while at a Columbia-Princeton joint program. By 1963, he had developed a machine that could be played in real time, and by the late 60s, he’d developed enough of a following among musicians that his synthesizer was being featured on hit albums by everyone from the Monkees to Wendy Carlos.
Those early analog synthesizers were modular, controlled by an almost infinite variation of patch-cord combinations, but the devices went mainstream in 1971 with the introduction of the
Moog figurine designed by Archer Prewitt for Press Pop Gallery
Minimoog. The device’s leap in ease and functionality RIP Bob Moog, 1934-2005. The electronic music pioneer made new sounds and possibilities available to non- died in August of a brain tumor at age 71. gearheads. That’s when art rockers became Moog’s most reliable and popularizing clients, folks like Rick the theremin, the only instrument that makes music Wakeman of Yes and Keith Emerson of Emerson, out of thin air. I’ve been a semi-competent theremin Lake & Palmer. It’s a period well documented in player for several years now, so it’s been a treat to the delightful short film, Moog. see the most famous maker of theremins this side
Moog’s synthesizers led to an explosion of the of Leon Theremin return to his inventing roots. The imagination and were stuffed with DIY add-on theremin’s most famous contribution to pop music opportunities. Unfortunately, much of the most is in the Beach Boys’“Good Vibrations.” popular music produced with synthesizers was Moog built theremins for fun, going back to the more interesting technically than musically. As Truman administration. After describing how to someone who has written books about Jerry Lee build one in Electronic World, he returned to manu-Lewis, the Sex Pistols, and Bruce Springsteen, I’m facturing and selling kits and fully made theremins not the sort of guy who adores the flatulent art in the 90s; even the fully constructed models come rock that made the Moog synthesizer famous. But with notes on how to “hotrod” your theremin, sol-blaming Bob Moog for the not-so-great music made dering iron in hand, showing that Moog’s DI Y ethic on his great invention is like blaming Jimi Hendrix was still with him. As he met his final challenge, for Yngwie Malmsteen. You can’t control who will be I suspect it served him well. influenced by your genius work. And, to be fair, Beck and others have made stellar records with Moog
Jimmy Guterman ( guterman.com) is the editor-in-chief synthesizers at the center. of Forrester magazine. His most recent book is Runaway In recent years, Moog circled back to his first love, American Dream.
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