p.879_obit 9/13/05 9:59 AM Page 1

In Memoriam

obert Moog, AES fellow, gral part of our musical culture. A electronic music pioneer, and documentary film about him and his Rfounder of Moog Music Inc., work called “Moog” opened in the died on August 21, at his home in fall of 2004. Asheville, N.C. He was 71 years old. A member of the review board of In late April 2005 Moog was diag- the Journal of the Audio Engineering nosed with inoperable brain cancer Society since 1969, Moog received (glioblastoma multiforme or GBM) many awards including the Silver and had received both radiation treat- Medal of the Audio Engineering ment and chemotherapy. Society, the Trustee’s Award in 1970, Moog was born in New York City and a Technical Grammy in 2002 and received a B.S. in physics from from the National Academy of Queens College, a B.S. in electrical Recording Arts and Sciences, the engineering from Columbia Univer- Billboard Magazine Trendsetter’s sity, and a Ph.D. in engineering Award, Seamus Award from the physics from Cornell University in Society of Electroacoustic Music in 1965. He received honorary doctor- Robert Moog the United States, and the Polar ates from Polytechnic University, 1934–2005 Music Prize from The Royal Swedish Lycoming College, and Berklee Col- Academy of Music. He wrote and lec- lege of Music. Music in 1971 to Bill Waytena, who tured extensively on a variety of Michael Adams, president of Moog then sold it to Norlin Music in 1975. topics in music technology and man- Music Inc., shared the following Moog left Moog Music, a division of machine interface and contributed thoughts about Moog: “Bob has been Norlin Music in 1977. In 1978, he major articles to the Encyclopedia such a huge inspiration to all of us. In founded Big Briar Inc., in the moun- Britannica and the Encyclopedia of losing him, we lose a creator, vision- tains of western North Carolina, Applied Physics. ary and friend. He was someone who which then took the Moog Music Bob Moog was a warm, outgoing taught us well and he was proud of name in May 2002. Today, the man, who enjoyed meeting people this company and its people. Bob Asheville-based company designs and from all over the world. He especially shaped music in deep and meaningful builds high-quality analog synthesiz- appreciated what he called “the magi- ways by changing how music could ers, guitar effects modules, theremins, cal connection” between music-mak- be produced and ultimately, how it and a unique controller for acoustic ers and their instruments. would sound. He contributed to a new piano called the PianoBar. Moog He is survived by his wife, Ileana, soundscape—a legacy that we will remained active in the company up to his children, Laura Moog Lanier, continue in his honor. He was a musi- the day he was diagnosed. Matthew Moog, Michelle Moog- cal pioneer for the love of it and Moog’s instruments have influ- Koussa, and Renee Moog; his step- musicians everywhere have had the enced many styles of music from jazz daughter Miranda Richmond; and opportunity to expand their own cre- to rock, R&B to classical. Moog key- former wife, Shirleigh. ative horizons with Bob’s inventions. boards can be heard in the music of A public memorial was held at the He will truly be missed by all of us, artists as diverse as funk masters Par- Orange Peel in Asheville on August but we take comfort in the fact that liament and Funkadelic; rock icons 24. Anyone who wishes to make his musical innovations will live on in Yes, the Beatles, and Emerson, Lake a contribution in his memory the music he inspired and the prod- and Palmer; and jazz greats Herbie may donate to http://www.caring ucts we will continue to make.” Hancock and Chick Corea. bridge.com/visit/bobmoog. Moog started building theremins as Today, top musicians still seek out Moog’s family has established The a teenager and established the R.A. Moog instruments. Moog keyboards Bob Moog Foundation dedicated to the Moog Company in 1954. One of the and the music they helped create have advancement of electronic music in his first electronic musical instruments, enjoyed a strong following among memory. Many of his longtime collab- the theremin provides a unique, players and aficionados. The original orators including musicians, engineers, tremulous sound. theremins designed by Moog enjoy a and educators have agreed to sit on its In 1963, Moog created the first renaissance today. They are used by executive board including David Moog Modular synthesizer, with the popular groups and serious musicians Borden, Wendy Carlos, Joel Chadabe, more portable Minimoog following in for effects and classical music. Musi- John Eaton, David Mash, and Rick 1970. The Minimoog opened the cians and studio technicians across Wakeman. For information about the world of synthesized music to thou- many musical genres have woven the foundation, contact Matthew Moog at sands of musicians. Moog sold Moog timeless sound of Moog into an inte- [email protected].

J. Audio Eng. Soc., Vol. 53, No. 9, 2005 September 879