Legendary synthesizer inventor Bob Moog died on August 21, 2005 at his home in Asheville, N.C. from an inoperable brain tumor. The tumor was detected in April and unfortunately radiation treatment and chemotherapy were unsuccessful. Moog was 71.
Bob invented the first voltage-controlled synthesizer while he was an engineering student at Cornell University in 1964 with composer Herbert Deutsch. He established his own company, R.A. Moog Company shortly afterwards, and started selling the first modular system by the end of the year.
Moog demonstrating a Theremin in the early 1960's
"Bob Moog was a legend, but he never acted like one," states Futuremusic's Dan Brotman. "He always regarded himself as a tinkerer, and always welcomed a conversation about synthesis, engineering and music with whoever approached him. Truly a class act."
Bob Moog developed several acclaimed synths including the Micromoog, Multimoog, Memorymoog and the renowned Minimoog. First introduced in 1970, the Mini was a sonic revolution. Based on the technology of Moog modular products, the Minimoog was a portable version that enabled keyboardists to take the Moog sound on the road. It was an instant hit, and music and live performance would never be the same again.
Moog with several of his creations
R. A. Moog Inc. officially changed its name to Moog Music Inc. in 1971 and became a division of the now defunct Norlin Music in 1973. At the end of 1977, Bob left Moog Music and founded Big Briar for the purpose of developing and building experimental electronic music instruments. With the advent of FM synthesis in the Eighties, the popularity of the analog sound waned and Norlin ceased operations in 1986. Bob dabbled in other ventures, becoming Kurzweil's Vice President of New Product Research and teaching a course in music technology at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. However, he never stopped tinkering...
In 1998, Bob released the Moogerfooger line of analog effect stomp boxes sourced from the same technology of his original analog modular synths. After regaining the rights to his name, he released the Minimoog Voyager, an updated version of the original, taking the legendary synth firmly into the new millennium.
From the Micromoog to the MoogerFooger
Bob Moog is survived by his wife, Ileana, his five children, Laura Moog Lanier, Matthew Moog, Michelle Moog-Koussa, Renee Moog, and Miranda Richmond; and the mother of his children, Shirleigh Moog. Bob's family has established The Bob Moog Memorial Fund dedicated to the Advancement of Electronic Music in his memory. Many of his longtime collaborators including musicians, engineers and educators have agreed to sit on its executive board including David Borden, Wendy Carlos, Joel Chadabe, John Eaton, David Mash, and Rick Wakeman. For more information about the foundation, contact Matthew Moog at mattmoog@yahoo.com.
A recent picture of Bob Moog
