Keyboardist and synth programmer Casey Young recently donated a rare Moog Liberation keytar synthesizer to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. Notable musician and performer Gary Wright previously owned the synthesizer, manufactured in 1980 to 1981. This model, serial number 8041, boasts a rare, white paint job from the factory. The Bob Moog Foundation Archives is delighted to curate this vintage instrument, which is the second Moog Liberation in our growing archival collection.

Keytar synthesizers were not very common until the mid-1980s, when the onset of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) meant that keyboard controllers only needed a keybed and basic interface to remotely control a synthesizer. As it was in 1980, the Liberation needed to be an all-in-one sound-generating synthesizer, internally quite similar to a Moog Prodigy. Naturally, this added quite a bit of weight to what was designed as a portable instrument. This, along with Moog Music experiencing market struggles, led to the Liberation’s short production run. As a result, over four decades later, the Liberation has become increasingly rare and collectible.

Casey Young’s extensive musical accomplishments include collaborations with a wide variety of artists besides Gary Wright, including Yes, Madonna, TOTO, Michael Jackson, and Tina Turner. You can learn more about Casey on this NAMM.org Library page, which includes a brief oral history video.

“Getting to work with Gary Wright was one of the best gigs I ever had,” noted Casey Young in a personal note accompanying his donation. “He did so much to jump-start my musical journey.” Young went on to explain that Moog Music, while sponsoring the band, donated the use of three black Liberations and one white one for the “Heartbeat” video. Young was afterward gifted the white Liberation by Wright while the remaining three were returned.

Gary Wright, writer and composer of the 1976 hit song “Dream Weaver,” famously played keytar synthesizers during live performances. The white Moog Liberation appears in his 1981 music video for “Heartbeat.” Ownership of this synthesizer was transferred to musical collaborator Casey Young, who maintained possession until donating it to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. This WIkipedia page contains much more information about Gary.

 

 

“We are honored by this very special donation to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives,” noted Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation. “Gary Wright’s Liberation is a part of synthesizer history. We are deeply grateful to Casey Young for this important donation, and we look forward to sharing this historical gem once it has been restored.”

Here are a few photographs of the white Moog Liberation donated by Casey Young:

 

 

The Foundation’s goal is to restore the Liberation’s full functionality and cosmetic appearance for eventual display and hands-on use at the Moogseum! As you can see from the images, there is much work to be done. Donations from supporters like you are the only way the Bob Moog Foundation Archives can achieve the daunting goal of maintaining rare and vintage electronics like the Liberation. Please consider making a contribution today!

 

Donate to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives!

 

In the meantime, to learn more about the Moog Liberation, you can gain insider insight by reading our interview with Rock Wehrmann, who worked for Moog Music from 1977 until 1983 as a clinician and department manager. Rock spent much of his time at Moog Music working with design teams, including that of the Liberation.