The Bob Moog Foundation has created a calendar celebrating the rich history of the Moog Legacy through vintage photos, memorabilia, quotes and information taken directly from Bob’s archive.

The photos trace pivotal moments in Bob’s early career and highlight musicians and pioneers who inspired his work.

The calendar is $20 in the Foundation shop.

The calendar is comprised of five photos of Moog himself, taken from 1958-1974.

The remaining photos are of:

• Leon Theremin
• Vladimir Ussachevsky
• Herb Deutsch
• Keith Emerson
• Paul Beaver and Bernie Krause
• Isao Tomita
• Joel Chadabe
• Roger Powell

Throughout the calendar, Bob’s thoughts and philosophies about his work are shared.

The calendar was designed by graphics artist Rose Hecht in collaboration with the Bob Moog Foundaton.  Through her designs, Rose pays hommage to the original Moog modular synthesizer as the instrument that spawned an industry and radically changed the face of popular music. The background of every page touts panels of knobs and patchbays — images taken from photos of an early modular that was used in Moog’s shop in the 60s.

It sounds like it’s basically a raffle, where all the prizes are synth-related.

Prizes include:

• A private look at The Bob Moog Archives in Asheville, North Carolina and lunch with The Bob Moog Foundation Executive Director Michelle Moog-Koussa.
• A VIP tour of Moog Music Inc. and lunch with Mike Adams, President/CEO of Moog Music Inc.
• A VIP tour and luncheon at the Museum of Making Music on January 18, 2010 with Moog exhibition advisor Brian Kehew, Moog Foundation Executive Director Michelle Moog-Koussa, Moog Music Inc. President/CEO Mike Adams, Museum Executive Director Carolyn Grant and Curator Tatiana Sizonenko.
• Moog Little Phatty Synthesizer autographed by George Duke and Moog luminaries (including Brian Kehew, Michelle Moog-Koussa and others). Please note: DRAWING FOR THIS ITEM WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 30, 2010.
• Two (2) tickets to the George Duke & Anita Baker concert at the Nokia Theatre on November 7, 2009. Please note: ENTRANTS NEED TO BE PRESENT TO WIN!

Details on the contest are available at the MofMM site.

Brunette Models’ Call Him Dr. Moog, from Contemporary Electronic Soundscapes / Volume II: Homage to Bob Moog.

via ArtBonVivant:

The track from album “Contemporary Electronic Soundscapes / Volume II: Homage to Bob Moog”.

Very good electronic music, composed by Brunette Models [August 2006].

More info here and here.

The Moog Minimoog is, arguably, the most influential synthesizer of all time. It was one of the first all-in-on synths, it was relatively affordable, and it sounds massive.

Key to the Minimoog’s massive sound are its three oscillators and 24dB/octave Moog filter. The Minimoog has been updated with the Moog Music Minimoog Voyager – but some players still prefer the 1970 design.

Here is a demonstration of a number of sounds generated by a vintage Moog Minimoog, via AutomaticGainsay. The Minimoog was recorded direct without any effects or equalization.

Just about any synth player in the seventies played the Minimoog, including the likes of Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Herbie Hancock, Gary Numan, Devo, Synergy, Jan Hammer, P-Funk and more.

Brian Kehew and Larry Fast discuss their experiences with Moog Synthesizers and their interactions with Bob Moog.

From the Museum of Making Music opening weekend for their new Moog exhibit.

Note: This was captured via a live streaming service, and takes a couple of minutes to really get going.

The Museum Of Making Music’ The Legacy Of Moog exhibit opened this weekend.

Synthtopia reader David (unfrostedpoptart on Flickr) made it to the Moog exhibit and shared this fantastic set of photos. You’ll want to click the full-screen button on the slideshow for these images!

The exhibit captures some key moments in electronic music history.

If you made it to the show or the opening weekend festivities, let us know your impressions!

Visitors can enjoy the music of The Volt Per Octaves during a wine & cheese reception. Following the reception, the museum presents a demonstration with Keith Emerson and music by Erik Norlander. Emerson, the personification of the Moog legacy and maverick of the Moog synthesizer, will demonstrate his “Monster Moog” modular system. Norlander is a prolific artist who pushes the Moog tradition into the future with an evocative synthesizer technique. His perpetual live use of vintage instruments—Moog synthesizers in particular—give his performances a depth of sound seldom seen. Don’t miss this memorable evening!

The exhibit runs through April 30th. Details at the Museum of Making Music site.

If you make it to the exhibit, leave a comment with your thoughts, links to photos, videos, etc!

August 21st is the anniversary of Bob Moog’s death. Few people have changed music to the degree of Robert Moog.

Ileana Grams-Moog, Moog’s wife at his death, posted her thoughts on Bob Moog at the Caring Bridge site:

When people have been as much a source of happiness as Bob was for me and so many others, their legacy of good keeps growing, it seems to me.  I know that thousands of you cherish the memory of the time you met Bob and talked to him, or of the first time you played a Minimoog, or the talk you heard him give.  Every time you remember, that event lives again and gives you new pleasure–and makes Bob alive still in you.

This is what it is like for me.  It is a rare thing when someone who contributed as much to a field as Bob did to music is also a genuinely wonderful human being, as he was.  It was a blessing to have shared his life for the years we had, and I am truly grateful.

Bob Moog himself shared his thought on living on through his instruments in Hans Fjellestad’s documentary, Moog. A segment is embedded below, but see the full movie, if you haven’t already.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here are five more ways to remember the legacy of Bob Moog:

• Make a donation to the Bob Moog Foundation.
• Get the “Moog Lives” desktop wallpaper that Moog Music created to commemorate Moog’s life.
• Check out recent news about Moog and Moog Music.
• Listen to Bob Moog tell the story of the synthesizer.
• Visit the upcoming Legacy of Moog exhibit, opening August 29. More about the exhibit at the Museum of Making Music site.

And if you’ve got a personal memory of Bob Moog, or your first experience with a Moog synth, leave a comment below!

This video captures Bob Moog at the Red Bull Music Academy.

Bob Moog at Red Bull Music Academy, Cape Town 2003

Bob Moog changed the face of popular music by producing the first ever commercially available synthesizers – those charming, cheeky machines that we love for their shapely basslines and unearthly emotion.

It’s hard to imagine modern music without the Moog – but just imagine, if you can, back in the early ’70s, east of Buffalo. There’s Bob, riding his bike to work each day, peddling between barns and fields to Moog Music Inc., set up in an old gelatine factory. Inside, the desktop-size Minimoog synth was being constructed en masse, as well as the cutting edge Polymoog, which had a sexy new feature: you could play more than one note at a time on it, even chords. Plastic keyboards were shipped from South Carolina in piano boxes which said: “Another piano for a happy home,” and in the hot Buffalo summers, the maintenance people had to pour water on the roof of the building to cool the factory down (especially to protect the heat-sensitive transformer components from Japan).

But Bob’s musical journey began long before these Williamsville bicycle rides. The journey began in 1954 when he enlisted the help of his father to start making theremins, which he spent ten years making for science fiction movies and avantgarde musicians.

The first Moog Modular was knocked up for fun, as a project for his musician friend Herbert Deutsch. But pretty soon, after the first strains of success by (Walter, who became) Wendy Carlos’ album Switched-On Bach, the Moog stole its way into the heart of rock and jazz fusion – appearing on the Beatles – Abbey Road and the Beach Boys – Pet Sounds albums – and helped instigate all types of electronic music.

When Stevie Wonder heard the sub-bass wobble out from from Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff’s Tonto’s Expanding Head Band, he asked the pair to become his producers and Moogmen. The Moog became a key ingredient for some of Stevie’s deepest albums, such as Innervisions, Talking Book and Music Of My Mind. Herbie Hancock – who was pioneering jazz fusion with his Headhunters band – took up the Moog. Another fan was Parliament keyboardist Bernie Worrell, who got down on it for the group’s boot(y)-stomping, endlessly descending Flashlight.

At the end of 1977, Bob left Moog Music and founded Big Briar, teaching music technology courses at the University Of North Carolina at Asheville from 1989 to 1992. He made a remix of his original babies in the form of the Etherwave theremin, and the Ethervox MIDI theremin in 1998, as well as debuting his Moogerfooger analog effects modules, the Minimoog Voyager and also put a little time aside to star in a documentary about his own life.

Though he may have left us for a higher plane, he has left an enormous legacy behind, having irreversibly changed the sonic landscape of the world. Perhaps his greatest legacy was his ability to imbue machines with soul, so that musicians around the world discovered a special place in their hearts for the sound of synthesisers.

“People understood that you could use these things to produce and play music. Music that wasn’t important because it was novel, because it was the first time, but because people really wanted to listen to it. It satisfied some need, the music itself was valuable to people.”

During his talk at the Academy in Cape Town, the extraordinary (and deeply missed) synth pioneer, Bob Moog, got down to the nitty gritty of supersizing your oscillations. Just what does make a bassline skinny or fat? Dr. Moog also talked about how shapely controllers and a cute box of bits can help give your music sauce. As Steinski (who was in the audience that day) also commented: “It’s all about the interface,” innit? Here is an example of the kind of fine sentiments that typified Bob Moog and showed him to possess such a unique and sensitive approach:

“When you connect with an instrument, no matter of what sort, there is an interaction that’s outside of what’s actually going through your fingers. I hesitate to use the word spiritual, but I’m absolutely sure that there is a consciousness that we connect with (…) You develop that sort of connection with an instrument. Some of you will do all that with your computers, some will do it with something like the Voyager, the Korg Triton, or any other of the good stuff that’s out there.”

via Crate Kings

Bob Moog demos the Fairlight CMI in 1983.

More below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

via Tara Busch

The exhibition, which highlights the inventor’s career and the impact that it had on the world of music, will feature rare vintage synthesizers and other related Moog instruments and memorabilia from the Bob Moog Archives and from various private collections.

A custom video presentation created by Moog historian and exhibit consultant Brian Kehew will form a central part of the exhibit. The exhibit will explore the numerous musicians, engineers and colleagues who played a vital role in the evolution of the Moog sound and the relationship between and the inventor/toolmaker and the musician, as well as the genesis of a variety of musical interfaces.

The instruments featured in the exhibit will trace the history of Moog’s work. The exhibit begins with vintage theremins and a prototype of the first modular synthesizer, which originally belonged to Herb Deutsch, an experimental music composer from Long Island whose 1963 meeting with Dr. Bob Moog would help define the synthesizer as a musical instrument, and set a course for the future of electronic music. Other excellent examples of modular instruments from the late 1960s and early 1970s will be on exhibit, most notably Keith Emerson’s famous “Monster Moog” will be featured for the first time as a part of the museum display.

The exhibition will highlight and explore crucial steps that were taken in the advancement of the Moog synthesizer during the years following the development of the modular system. The display will showcase a sequence of models that led to the emergence of more compact instruments, such as the Minimoog. The main impetus behind this tremendous work was Moog’s vision to create a portable electronic music studio on which musicians could compose and perform.

The opening weekend (August 28 -30) will kick off with a launch of the Moog exhibition featuring intimate musical performances by Keith Emerson and Erik Norlander and talks by Larry Fast and Brian Kehew.

Tickets for the opening weekend events can be purchased on the Museum’s website beginning August 3, 2009. The Museum is planning an array of exciting programming throughout the seven-month exhibition with panel discussions featuring people who collaborated with Moog throughout his lifetime, and concerts featuring top synthesists. The ultimate goal of this exhibition and its programs is to highlight Moog’s career while celebrating synthesis as a whole.

About Bob Moog

Bob Moog (1934-2005) was a pioneer in the field of electronic music, inventing the Moog synthesizer in 1964. His invention made synthesis accessible to musicians for the first time and in doing so provided them with new realms of sonic expression. The instrument revolutionized the face of music and was used by such early synthesists as Wendy Carlos, Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Jan Hammer, and more.

“Bob Moog was one of the great visionaries of our time. His ideas far transcend just music, and to this day continue to have impact on everything from rock to rap to quantum physics” – Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)

Moog’s career spanned over 50 years and his work left an indelible impact on music, musicians and music-lovers alike. Bob Moog’s unique legacy is one of expanding musical expression through innovation and inspiring musicians to explore the boundaries of sonic reality. Tens of thousands of musicians worldwide were, and continue to be, inspired by Moog’s work, and the sonic palette it provides.

Bob Moog was awarded two GRAMMYs for his work: the NARAS Trustee’s Award in 1970 and Award for Technical Achievement in 2002. He also won the Polar Music prize in 2001 from the King of Sweden and numerous other prizes that recognized his contributions.

Summer NAMM Show: Moog Music introduced the MF-105M MIDI MuRF – an advance, MIDI-controlled successor to its previous MuRF Moogerfoogers.

The MF-105 MuRF is a unique effect designed by Bob Moog. MuRF is short for Multiple Resonance Filter Array. The MuRF creates sequenced filter effects.

The Moog MF-105M MIDI MuRF retails for $449.

via MoogMusicInc:

The evolution of the MuRF continues with the MF-105M MIDI MuRF. The MF-105M combines Bob Moogs classic MuRF and Bass MuRF to make one powerful Moogerfooger. Its warm, resonant, 100% analog Mid and Bass filter bands bring you everything from shimmering timbral morphing and rhythmic stuttering to deep bass grooves, and like all Moogerfoogers, its built like a tank to stand up to the toughest touring and studio use.

We didnt stop there. In addition to the full range of Control Voltage inputs, it also sports an extensive MIDI implementation. Create tempo-synced filter sequences with MIDI Clock Sync. Change patterns with MIDI Program Change messages. Control front panel knob settings with MIDI CC messages and play the filters in real-time with MIDI Note On commands.

Its equally at home on the floor, table-top or rack mount, and with all this sound and control in one package, the MF-105M MIDI MuRF connects you to a world of sonic expression, with tight integration into todays performance, production, DJ and remix environments.

According to The Foundation, “attendees will be immersed in an interactive experience guiding them through the work and life of synthesizer pioneer and innovator Bob Moog.”

All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Foundation’s hallmark project, the Moogseum, to be located in Asheville, NC.

Interactive instrument-based exhibits will be set up to connect attendees to the unique sounds and interfaces that helped make the Moog name a legacy in the worlds of science, music and innovation.

Highlights include a “Theremin Tour”, where visitors will be guided by Bob Moog Foundation volunteers to play the early electronic musical instrument in various audio configurations as well as see it used as a video mixing tool, the “Synthesizer Lounge”, comprised of a bay of synthesizers available for attendees to explore and the Moogerfooger Remix Station which will highlight the power of the the Moog signal processing tools. Attendees are encouraged to bring their iPods or other playback devices to remix original music through Moog equipment.

The Interactive Timeline will guide the viewer through specific eras of Moog’s career and document the evolution of the Bob Moog Foundation. The Bob Moog Foundation will unveil a Mini-Moogseum installation to be featured permanently at the Orange Peel. The Mini-Moogseum, a beautiful showcase crafted by Chris Perryman of Domus Aurea Woodworking, will house a small exhibit of the pioneer’s archives, tell the story of his impact on the world of music, highlight his connection to the Asheville community and feature a custom built theremin, designed by Bob’s former student and protege, Steve Dunnington.

Throughout the evening, four Bob Moog Foundation House Bands (comprised of four all-star bands of local artists) will be recording a four song album live on stage. These songs will be recorded as if in a studio with each musician layering their part individually over one another. At the end of the recording process, we will have an EP album ready to be mixed. The songs will then be performed live by each band that recorded them.The original songs composed for the occasion pull from four different genres: acoustic, funk, indie rock and pop.

Jay Sanders will lead the acoustic selection of the evening, with each acoustic instrument being treated to some special Moog electronic processing. Jeff Knorr will use Moog equipment in the creation of a funk song; the drumming, Moog synthesizer as the bass and electric piano will all be processed through Moogerfoogers. Josh Phillips – will feature Josh’s vocals layered on top of Mooged-Out drums, bass and guitar. Joey Szabo will lead a song featuring the Theremin as the lead instrument accompanied by drums, bass, guitar, and vocals.

A silent auction will include such items as a Moog Little Phatty Synthesizer and a full day of recording at Echo Mountain Studios.

Finally, in celebration of the pioneer’s 75th birthday, there will be a display of 10-12 birthday cakes designed and donated by area artisan bakeries. The cakes will be judged by a panel of judges for their originality of design and concept. At the end of the evening, we will be sharing these cakes with all attendees.

For more information on the Moogseum, visit www.moogseum.com

This limited run t-shirt is only available for purchase in the month of May, 2009. All profits go directly to The Bob Moog Foundation to support construction of the Moogseum.

What’s not to like?

• It’s psychedelic.
• It’s a synth shirt.
• It’s Bob Moog.
• It’s black light.
• It’s for a non-profit cause!

$25 at the Moog Music site.

Michelle Moog-Koussa of The Bob Moog Foundation discusses the Bob Moog museum, aka the Moogseum.

Bernie Krause “Moog Bench Test”

Description:

Bernie Krause shares memories of how Bob Moog did “bench tests” of his synthesizers.

Krause is an American bioacoustician. He coined the term, “biophony” (natural-sound soundscapes), to contrast with “anthrophony” (man-made soundscapes).

As a musician, he was a member of The Weavers and was one of the first players of the Moog Synthesizer in the 1960s. He formed Beaver & Krause with fellow synthesist Paul Beaver (who had played the instrument on a Monkees recording, “Star Collector”), to make electronic music featuring the Moog and other instruments.

via moogfoundation

Electronic music pioneer Herb Deutsch discusses the early days of synthesis and his role in the origin of the Moog Synthesizer.

Gershon Kingsley On The Moog Synthesizer

Description:

Joel Chadabe, president & founder of the Electronic Music Foundation, introduced Gershon Kingsley, who speaks about the Moog synthesizer & Bob Moog.

First Bob Moog gets turned into a doll – now Raymond Scott. 

Japanese artist toy company Presspop Gallery has released their Raymond Scott 100th Anniversary vinyl figurine & CD set in time for the 2008 holidays.

The deluxe limited edition package features a miniature replica of Scott’s Clavivox, his patented 1950s keyboard synthesizer, and a CD featuring rare, unreleased tracks from the Scott Archives. Presspop have produced only a small batch of these unique high-quality sets.

The figurine was designed by Archer Hewitt, who designed the Moog doll. It retails for $49.

RaymondScott.com is the exclusive US retailer.

The Bob Moog Foundation

We Need Your Input!

As you know from following our progress, protecting and preserving Bob’s archives has been our focus for over a year. Our goal is to share these archives with the you. As a result, the Bob Moog Foundation recently embarked on a thoughtful and ambitious planning process to chart the future direction of the organization, strategically defining who we are and how we can make a serious impact. We have committed to taking the initial steps to begin planning for a Bob Moog Museum in Asheville, NC.

What would a Bob Moog Museum look like? Here’s what we envision: a highly interactive, innovative place to connect with Bob’s life and work; the official residence of Bob’s extensive technological archives; a hub for an interdisciplinary community musicians, engineers, scientists and historians; an eye-opener and inspiration for students and adults alike.

We need to hear from you, the Moog community. We have created a survey that will help give us some important preliminary information regarding visitation to the Bob Moog Museum. Please take just a couple of minutes to fill out this short but important survey! Click here for the survey.

Thanks very much for your participation and support!

The Bob Moog Foundation

Take a moment to fill out the survey – it’s only 8 questions long, and it takes about 30 seconds to fill out.