Asheville, North Carolina is already a kind of mecca for a certain type of musician. It’s the home of Moog Music, the company which carries on the legacy of manufacturing Dr. Bob Moog’s legendary instruments and continuing his explorations in music synthesis. It’s a three hour drive from Moogfest in Durham. And it’s the home of the (independent, non-profit) Bob Moog Foundation.
Visiting Asheville, North Carolina, in December, I walked past a sandwich board that read, “Synth you’re here, come on in.” It was a pop-up store selling T-shirts, mugs, and other memorabilia commemorating one of the town’s most famous citizens, electronic music pioneer Bob Moog.
If you’ve ever watched an old sci-fi or horror film, you’ve probably heard the hair-tingling, alien sounds of the Theremin. It’s a spooky, strange instrument that’s played without being touched, and has become a staple for classic horror movies. This is the story of the Theremin’s mysterious journey. Featuring Thereminist Rob Schwimmer, Michelle Moog-Koussa, daughter of Bob Moog and Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation, and Albert Glinsky, courtesy of Moog Music.
Dick Hyman was already on his way to becoming a musical legend by 1968 and it had nothing to do with the Moog Modular Synthesizer. Having established himself as a jazz and studio keyboardist, arranger, and composer, he found himself thrust into yet another rolethat of pioneering electronic musician.