Christopher Franke: Thank You Very Much Bob Moog
August 21, 2010: Fifth Anniversary Tribute
Christopher Franke Photo From Bob Moog Foundation Archive Summarizes Sentiment
In combing through the archives for rarely seen photos to share on this very special day, we came across this one, below, of Christopher Franke, pioneering synthesist for Tangerine Dream. Christopher sent this photo, with a small hand-written note, to Bob in the early 1970s and Bob had kept it neatly in his files. The photo speaks for itself, so we don’t need to elaborate on its significance too much. We do know that Bob considered himself a toolmaker, designing highly crafted, innovative, intuitive instruments for musicians. He took great joy in working with musicians, for they were the open spirits creating and communicating through the language of music. Bob must have been touched to receive Christopher’s note of gratitude, which serves as a tribute that Bob had succeeded in his goal to provide musicians with tools with which to expand their creativity.
Bob passed away five years ago, but he left a legacy as deep and broad as the sonic possibilities he created. We echo Christopher’s sentiments of gratitude to a man who dedicated his life to expanding the very horizon of musical sound.
Many thanks to Christopher Frank for allowing us to share this photo and for his enormous contributions of pioneering the medium of electronic music itself.
- Christopher Franke with his Moog Modular, 1970s (BMF Archive with permission from Christopher Franke)
Bob Moog’s Legacy in Photos: Reflect. Share. Listen. (Repeat)
August 21, 2010: Fifth Anniversary Tribute
New Photos From Bob’s Archives Speak to the Moog Legacy Itself
Reflect
There are many iconic photos of Bob out there. Many feature the stoic inventor with intense gaze surrounded by drool-worthy gear. Today, we look past the familiar and delve three rarely seen photos of Bob, taken at a lecture or training session of some kind back in the early 1970s. We think they exemplify some qualities that make the Moog legacy what it is. Here you’ll see Bob in three natural poses beside one of his modular instruments. We have given the photos one word captions: Reflect, Share, Listen. This series of human and intellectual engagements, which Bob repeated countless times during his long 50 year career, helped shape Bob’s innovative work and subsequently the world of music technology as we know it _________________________________________________________________________________________
Share
Bob thought deeply about his work, spending endless hours in his workshop day in and day out. Even when he took time away, his mind was often on the circuits. He had many breakthroughs, some groundbreaking, some much less so. As a testament to his humility and open creative spirit, he tested his ideas and asked for feedback from colleagues and musicians. Then he listened. It is perhaps Bob’s ability to listen and incorporate what he learned from listening that made his instruments so beautifully effective. He was constantly asking for feedback and improving on his ideas and designs.
This is an ethic that we carry forward with the Bob Moog Foundation in our work. Whether it’s science and music education, historical preservation or planning for a future museum, we seriously consider each step, seek feedback from experienced advisers and we listen.
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Listen
Tomorrow, August 21, 2010, will be the fifth anniversary of Bob’s passing and the fourth anniversary of the launch of the Bob Moog Foundation. In that time, we have made great progress considering our small size. That progress is due in part to assistance and feedback from scores of people who have lent their expertise to help move our efforts forward. To all of you — volunteers, advisors, supporters — thank you for being part of the unique process of carrying Bob Moog’s legacy forward.
To Bob, from all of us at the Bob Moog Foundation, and countless others around the world —
Your physical presence is greatly missed, but your spirit remains with us as a source of great inspiration.
Moogus Operandi Rehearsals – The Photo Gallery
Moogus Operandi, a benefit concert featuring Erik Norlander and a host of Asheville musicians, was an amazing evening of musical and visual celebration. You can read more about it and see a gallery of photos of the event here.
Leading up the the event itself, Erik spent weeks arranging his music for the new musicians/instruments that were to be included for the concert. He flew in a week early and set up rehearsal space at Echo Mountain Recording, where he rehearsed with local musicians for three 12-hour days before the event. Below are some of the images captured at those rehearsals; they are courtesy of Jon Leidel Photography.
Many, many thanks to all of the musicians who lent their time and talents, which made the evening a huge success.
BMF Re-Configures Norlander’s “Wall of Doom” Custom Moog Modular
Bob Moog Foundation and Erik Norlander Make Modular Synthesis Accessible for Fans and Students
Erik Norlander, synth guru and ardent supporter of the Bob Moog Foundation, is known for his Moog-laden symphonic rock. At the heart of Erik’s music is his massive custom Moog modular synthesizer, affectionally referred to as the Wall of Doom by his roadies. You can get a glimpse of the WOD, situated behind Erik, below.
Erik Norlander with his custom modular synthesizer in the background
Here’s how Erik sums up the synths unique attributes:” My modular synthesizer is a unique creation that started out life as a Moog IIC in 1967, grew to a IV-C in the late 90s and then was repackaged as the first “Wall of Doom” in 2001. All of the audio modules are original Moog modules from 1967 – 1972 except for three custom 16x2x1 oscillator mixes that use the identical circuit topology as the original 1967 (pre-CP3) Bob Moog design to mix the system’s 22 oscillators. Many other custom control modules have been added including 8 channels of MIDI to Gate/CV along with additional processor modules from Roger Arrick’s Synthesizers.com in Texas. The control elements are extremely modern and offer state of the art flexibility; The sound is pure Moog.”
Recently, Erik and the Bob Moog Foundation joined forces to make this historical synthesizer more accessible to fans and students alike. The idea was to reconfigure the massive instrument in to six large rack mount cases that Erik could take on tour and expose his audiences to modular synthesis, and to bring in to schools in his area to teach the science behind synthesis to kids, thus helping the Foundation fulfill its mission and extend its MoogLab reach.
With the generous help of a few crucial supporters, we are delighted to announce that the re-configuration was completed on the eve of Bob’s 76th birthday. We couldn’t have accommplished this without:
In-Kind Donation of Gear
- OSP Worlwide – OSP Worldwide is a distributor of all kinds of super high quality audio gear. They donated six 16-Space ATA Shock Mount Flight Case Effects Racks to the Bob Moog Foundation for this project. We simply couldn’t have done this without their generosity. The quality of the cases they provided has well exceeded our expectation;they are extremely well-made. The six OSP cases provide an ideal home to this unique modular synthesizer.
Rockstar Engineering Volunteers
- Amos Gaynes and August Worley- To many of you, Amos Gaynes from Moog Music needs no introduction. He is well-known in the synth community for his clear and insightful articulation of all things that involve a Moog tech. Amos understands the contemporary Moog gear inside and out as a tech and as a creator of firmware for some of the newer products. A student of mechatronics at UNC-A, he is well on his way to becoming an engineering force at Moog Music, Inc.
August Worley is an electrical engineer who shares a unique qualification with Bob Moog. August is the only person to have worked at Moog Music Buffalo, Big Briar, Inc. and Moog Music Asheville. He was part of the engineering team who helped Bob develop the Voyager. August was uniquely qualified to work on this modular project, as he formerly toured with ELP as the keyboard tech for Keith Emerson’s Monster Moog Modular. He also developed the pyrotechnics for Keith’s Moog ribbon controller.
Between the two, Amos and August have donated over 60 hours of time to the completely reconfiguration of the Wall of Doom in to its new home. They have planned, inquired and researched in order to re-wire Erik’s system. Working well into the wee hours of the morning on more than one occasion, this highly skilled team has completed the transition of this extraordinary synth just in time for it’s first appearance at Moogus Operandi on May 27th.
Many, many thanks to Amos and August — we couldn’t have done this without you! Your generous donation of talent and spirit is a tribute to the Moog legacy itself.
Musician Open to the Possibilities
- Erik Norlander – Not only does this guy rock musically, but he rocks as an open, creative spirit who is excited by new possibilities. Not every owner of a priceless custom synthesizer would agree to submit their musical centerpiece to be shipped across the country for a complete metamorphosis. Erik agreed to take the project on and he was an invaluable source of information, guidance and encouragement.
We cannot go without thanking Lana Lane, Erik’s lovely wife and musical partner. With Erik away on a consulting trip, it fell upon Lana to pack and ship over 300 pounds of modules with a considerable time constraint thrown into the mix.
This project is a tribute to the historical, musical and technical legacy of Bob Moog. Many thanks to all involved!
Over the coming months, we will be asking Amos, August and Erik to write blog posts from their unique perspectives about the Wall of Doom reconfiguration. Keep your eye out for those insights into this project.
“Voices” Series Launch: Beastie Boys Cut the Ribbon on the MiniMoogseum!
Hip Hop Legends Perform Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on MiniMoogseum Installation, Paying Tribute to the Moog Legacy
The Beastie Boys have been rocking crowds the world over for more than 25 years; they are the undeniable innovators of both hip hop and rock and roll. Known for looking forward and backward, the Beastie Boys were among the first to embrace the phat analog Moog sound in the late 80s and early 90s at a point when the world of synthesis had gone largely digital.
How fitting it was to have the Beastie Boys swing through town and perform a ribbon cutting ceremony on the Foundation’s MiniMoogseum installation in the Orange Peel, once again championing the Bob Moog and his legacy of pioneering synthesis. Check out the Beastie Boys performing the ribbon cutting ceremony here:
Here’s the embed code to share this video via Youtube:
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Dubbed the “MiniMoogseum,” the eight foot high showcase serves as the first permanent installation of Bob Moog’s archives, including one of his Grammy awards and relics from the early development of Moog synthesizers. Michelle Moog-Koussa, who serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation named after her father, explained that “Over the decades to come, hundreds of thousands of people will see the installation as they visit the Orange Peel…” which was recently voted in the top five in the country by Rolling Stone magazine. The “MiniMoogseum” can be thought of as a small scale version of the future “Moogseum“, coming soon to the Asheville area.
Beastie Boys join a growing group of celebrity musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Keith Emerson, and Billy Corgan who have all voiced their support of the Foundation’s mission to teach science to children using musical instruments. In the video the band expresses that they are “…proud and happy to be here at the beginning of this beautiful thing…..the Moogseum.” They continue by saying “There should be a Moog synthesizer in every classroom.”
This video marks the first in a new series of videos and blogs that the Foundation is calling “Voices” — reflections and ideas from the wider Moog community, focused on how Bob Moog inspired their creativity.
Making the MiniMoogseum a Reality: Volunteers and Sponsors
The MiniMoogseum was designed and built by a team of volunteers and sponsors—the foundation playfully refers to them as “Rockstars”–including Gene Felice, Chris Perryman, Steve Dunnington and Mike Pieo.
Materials for the project were donated by Cormark International, Speed Graphics, Moog Music, Asheville Hardware and Henco Reprographics. This project is the first step in an iterative process for the Foundation. The full-sized Moogseum, scheduled to open in four years, will feature interactive and experiential exhibits that inspire the next generation of “Bob Moog” like innovators, as well as an intimate performance area, where musicians from around the world can participate in the Foundation’s programming.
Special thanks to Meg Lauzon, Rhino & Jon Leidel for capturing this even on both video and photo! And a special thanks to the Orange Peel for hosting this amazing event.
Moog-Inspired Art Auctioned on eBay
The Bob Moog Foundation Launches Auction of Moog-Inspired Art
Asheville Area Artists Donate Moog-inspired Art to Pay Tribute and Raise Funding
The Bob Moog Foundation announces the launch of six eBay auctions featuring visual art inspired by the legacy of Bob Moog. The link to the auctions can be found here.
The eBay auctions will run for 7 days, and will end during the Foundation’s spring fundraiser, Moogus Operandi, to be held on May 27th from 7-11pm at the Orange Peel in Asheville. The event will feature local musicians performing with a virtuoso synthesist from California, Erik Norlander, and a legendary Moog modular synthesizer from 1967, the release of Moog Filtered Ale from Asheville Brewing Company, and a MoogLab interactive exhibit. Those who attend the event will have the opportunity to see the Moog-inspired art in person, as well as to bid on the items via computer workstations provided by City Mac. The unique format of the auction gives the participating artists an opportunity to showcase their work to an international audience of Moog enthusiasts. Featured items range from large scale paintings to smaller pen and ink designs and mini-synth sculptures.
All proceeds from the auctions and the event will go to benefit the projects of the Bob Moog Foundation, which is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Through this opportunity artists are given a chance to become part of the Bob Moog Foundation’s effort to bring innovative science and music programs into the schools and to create a Moogseum in Asheville, NC.
Many thanks to all of the participating artists who are donated their works of art to help us further our mission. It’s wonderful to see visual artists who are inspired by the intersection of music, technology, innovation and creativity that Bob Moog represents. We love seeing this creativity help us raise funding to teach science and music in the schools!
The artists participating in the auction include:
Gabriel Shaffer - www.gabrielshaffer.com
Gabriel Shaffer is a visionary artist who is internationally recognized for is attention to detail, vibrant color palette and intriguing concept.
Auction Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140409639580&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123#ht_611wt_1139
Phil Cheney - www.dynamicartgallerie.com
Phil Cheney is a musician and an artist who is known for his whimsical, eclectic designs. He designed the label for the Foundation’s Moog Filtered Ale, which was based on the image that is being auctioned.
Auction Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140409621113&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_560wt_1139
Dustin Spagnola – www.dustinspagnola.com
Dustin’s striking image of Bob Moog is inspired by the contemporary urban landscape. His images reference the texture, depth, and color of structures in decay and the visual language of graffiti.
Auction Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140409631595&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_729wt_1139
ArtYes / Marie Knight – www.artyes.net
Marie Knight combines flattened, distorted, embellished, and scaled-up representations of all manner of life forms with scaled-down signmaking to make arresting and occasionally nerdy graphic art.
Auction Link:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140409636486&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_639wt_1139
Seja Vogel -www.etsy.com/shop/pulsewidth
Recently referred to as the “synth whisperer” by Mess and Noise magazine, Australian Seja Vogel is probably better known as a musician more than anything else. However her recent solo album features a cover of handmade felt synthesizers created by Vogel. She is the only artist represented in the auction who does not call Asheville home. Her donation of two felt synths to the foundation was the inspiration for the art auction.
Auction Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140409637689&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_643wt_1139
Asheville Talent to Rock Moogus Operandi
Stellar Lineup of Asheville’s Local Talent Join Synthesizer Wizard Erik Norlander at Moogus Operandi Fundraising Concert
In the spirit of creative community that unites Asheville and Bob Moog, we are thrilled to confirm a remarkable lineup of Asheville’s talented musicians who will come together May 27 to perform with symphonic rock keyboard virtuoso Erik Norlander at the upcoming fundraising concert, Moogus Operandi. Norlander, a long-time Moog aficionado, will perform songs from his new album, The Galactic Collective. His massive custom modular synthesizer, affectionately known as The Wall of Doom, will provide the musical centerpiece for the evening.
Embracing the depth and breadth of Asheville’s homegrown musical talent, Norlander has invited the following local musicians to perform with him on the Orange Peel stage:
Strings
Woody Wood – Acoustic Guitar
Ellie LaBar – Electric Violin
Brooks Butler – Electric Guitar
Percussion
Adama Dembele (Afromotive) – African percussion
Shen Hunt – African percussion
River Guerguerian – percussion
Vocals
Lana Lane – Female Vocal
Oso Rey (Soulgrass Rebellion) – Male Vocals
Woody Wood – Male Vocals
Synthesist
Amos Gaynes – Voyager, MidiMurf
Theremin
Chris Tanfield
By combining the influences of blues, soul, funk, electronica, african and bluegrass from local musicians into his original symphonic rock compositions, Norlander has at once created a one-of-a-kind musical exploration that is unique to Asheville and serves as a fitting tribute to Bob Moog’s pioneering legacy of unlimited sonic expression.
Moogus Operandi will rock the Orange Peel on May 27th, 2010, from 7-11pm. Blind Boy Chocolate and the Milk Sheiks open the show, followed by a set by Woody Wood. The evening includes a Moog-inspired art auction, a multi-media presentation based on Bob Moog’s archives and a raffle for an iPod Touch, Moog Mulit-Pedal, a day of recording at Echo Mountain Studios, 2 tickets to Bonaroo, 2 tickets to the Orange Peel and a case of Moog Filtered Ale. Tickets are on sale at the Orange Peel (www.theorangepeel.net).
In Memorandum: Walter Sear Joins Bob Moog in Analog Heaven
Walter Sear (1930-2010)
Bob Moog and Walter Sear at Sear Sound During Taping of "Moog" Documentary
With sadness, we reflect on the legacy of Walter Sear, who passed away April 30, 2010 from complications from a fall back in March.
Sear may be best known for his commitment to quality recording equipment, techniques and for his pioneering work with synthesizer promotion and composition. He began is career as a tuba player, performing in the pit at Radio City Music Hall during the 1950s and sold tubas of his own design. In the late 1950s, Sear purchased some theremin parts from R.A. Moog, Co, the first iteration of Bob Moog’s company, and subsequently became the first sales agent for the R.A. Moog, Co., selling theremins and theremin parts. He took on the role of Bob’s business partner, as you can read about in our Archive Advisor Brian Kehew‘s reflections below, and played a key role in Bob’s ever-important meeting with Herb Deutsch.
Sear pioneered the use and promotion of the instrument the Moog synthesizer. He devoted time and energy to educating New York City studio owners on the applications of the revolutionary instrument. He composed and performed on a custom Moog modular which he helped design and used it in numerous soundtracks from Oscar-winning best picture Midnight Cowboy to Jim Henson’s The Cube to National Lampoon’s Disco Beaver from Outer Space.
In 1970 Sear created New York’s Sear Sound recording studio, a facility renowned for its collection of vintage analog recording gear, including over 275 microphones as well as a Studer 1-inch, 2-track mastering deck that Sear converted from a 1-inch 4-track recorder used to create The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band at Abbey Studio. Sear Sound became the recording home for numerous stellar musicians including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Wynton Marsalis, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Suzanne Vega, Sonic Youth, Steely Dan and Nora Jones, Phish, Moe and more.
Sear was committed to the integrity of sound, always with an ear to the highest quality. For him, this meant using the best vintage analog gear that could be found. He talks about his commitment to sonic integrity in the video below.
Brian Kehew, BMF Archive Advisor, Reflects on Walter Sear’s Work with Bob Moog:
In the early 1960′s, Bob Moog was making only theremins. He’d left behind the big tube/valve versions of the 1950s and was having more success selling small transistorized theremins. His only commercial salesman was Walter Sear, already an established studio owner and engineer/producer. It was at their booth at the New York School State Music Educator’s Association conference (selling brass instruments and theremins to schools) that Herb Deutsch first came across Bob Moog. At the booth, Herb connected with Bob and invited him to see some “new” music – experimental styles that introduced Bob to the world of electronic music. Later, Herb requested a custom instrument built, which Bob designed for him – the first Moog synthesizer.
All the while, Walter and Bob are trying to survive in the music business. Making mostly cheap guitar and bass amps for kids who had just discovered the Beatles. I have hundreds of pages of correspondence here between the two, as they wrote daily (no email or faxes yet!) to juggle the needs of their fledgling outfit. Thankfully, Walter kept the paperwork, as it is the only clear record of those early days – when the synthesizer was merely an odd sideline to their daily work.
Notable is Walter’s arrangement to get the custom-made “Melsinar” to the Beach Boys – Moog’s first foray into linear (ribbon) controllers – in 1966.
11/25/65 Letter from Bob to Walter Sear
6/10/65 Letter from Walter Sear to Bob Moog
6/12/66 Letter from Bob to Walter Sear
Through 1967 the little amplifiers sold in the hundreds but were so minimally profitable that the R.A.Moog Company was in clear danger of extinction. Luckily, within a year, that odd instrument, Bob’s synthesizer, would take off, selling to schools and commercial composers, and a few talented pop stars and artists. Walter remained Bob’s salesman and demonstrator for the East Coast, as he was situated in Manhattan and could show the synthesizer in his modern recording studio. In the early 1970s, Walter was officially terminated as an official representative when the company changed ownership. Walter and Bob remained lifelong friends.
There is a wonderful scene in Moog, the documentary film by Hans Fjestallad, where Bob visits Walter to reminisce in his NY studio, Sear Sound – still equipped with his giant Moog modular. This particular modular synthesizer is recognizable on many 1960s/70s “Moog records” as it has a notable Maestro Rhythm King rhythm box on top at the time. The synth is featured on Walter’s own Copper-Plated Integrated Circuit LP, Dick Hyman’s incredible Moog records, Marty Gold’s Moog Plays the Beatles, Richard Hayman’s Genuine Electric Latin Love Machine, Sean Lennon’s first album, and many more!
