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Bernie Worrell pioneered the use of the synthesizer in funk beginning in the early 1970s, paving the way for so many who came after him. The musical community was the fortunate beneficiary of his tremendous talents, which he shared through his work with Parliament-Funkadelic and Talking Heads, among many others. His work is at once as fundamental as it was revolutionary, in that it is among the most sampled by other musicians.


To learn more about Bernie, listen to this recent segment from NPR,

or this short but fascinating interview with him from NAMM Oral Histories.


 

Bernie passed away on June 24, 2016 at age 72, after battling lung and liver cancer. Along with legions of other fans worldwide, we were deeply saddened by this loss.

Bernie was a musical luminary and a gentle, humble human being. He was also a great friend of the Bob Moog Foundation. He is deeply missed.


2010

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Bernie backstage at Mioogfest 2010, showing his support for the Bob Moog Foundation.

 

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Moogfest 2010. Hanging out with Bob Moog Foundation friends Jason Daniello (Moog Music), Nick Montoya, Bernie, Michelle Moog-Koussa, Steve Fortner (Keyboard Magazine), Gregory Koussa.

 


2011

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Bernie generously donated sounds to Spectrasonics’ Bob Moog Tribute Library, the sales of which directly benefit the Bob Moog Foundation.

 


2013

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At Winter NAMM 2013 at the Bob Moog Foundation booth, exploring a duophonic Minimoog modified by engineer Doug Slocum of Synthetic Sound Labs.

 

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Bernie visits with Michelle Moog-Koussa at the NAMM 2013 booth. He was digging our Minimoog couch.

 

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Bernie was a guest artist during our teaching session with a group of students in the Turks and Caicos. He was present, humble, and loving with the kids, and was a fantastic teacher. They all loved him, and they were thrilled when he taught them how to play the synth lead from “Flash Light.”

 

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Bernie Worrell’s gloved, guiding hands. He taught us all so much. What a legacy.

 


2016

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At Moogfest 2016, Bernie graciously granted us an interview for “Electronic Voyager,” our upcoming documentary about Bob Moog. He’s pictured here with Michelle Moog-Koussa, a month before his passing.

 


Bernie also appears in the “Moog” documentary by Hans Fjellestad (2004).

You can read much more about Bernie and sign his guestbook at his website, bernieworrell.com.


 

Rest in Funk, Bernie Worrell! With love and gratitude for your indelible contributions to music and humanity, you are missed!