Synthesizer Visionary Robert Moog Dies at 71

08/23/2005 10:32AM

Ashville (North Carolina), USA - Synthesizer inventor Robert Moog died August 21 at his home in Asheville, North Carolina. He was 71. Bob was diagnosed with brain cancer (glioblastoma multiforme or GBM) in late April 2005. He had received both radiation treatment and chemotherapy to help combat the disease. He is survived by his wife, Ileana, his five children, Laura Moog Lanier, Matthew Moog, Michelle Moog-Koussa, Renee Moog, and Miranda Richmond; and the mother of his children, Shirleigh Moog.

A public Memorial Celebration is planned at The Orange Peel club for noon, Wednesday, August 24th. Fans and friends can also direct their sympathies or remembrances to Caring Bridge.

Robert Moog's family has established The Bob Moog Memorial Fund dedicated to the Advancement of Electronic Music in his memory. Many of his longtime collaborators including musicians, engineers and educators have agreed to sit on its executive board including David Borden, Wendy Carlos, Joel Chadabe, John Eaton, David Mash, and Rick Wakeman For more information about the foundation, contact Matthew Moog at mattmoog@yahoo.com.

Dr. Robert A. Moog, born May 23, 1934, was a pioneer of electronic music, best known as the inventor of the Moog synthesizer.

A native of New York City , he earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Queens College, New York, another in electrical engineering from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in engineering physics from Cornell University.

He received a Grammy Trustees Award for lifetime achievement in 1970.

The Moog synthesizer became legendary in the 1970s. It was widely used by progressive rock innovators such as Emerson, Lake and Palmer; Yes, PFM and many others. It was also used by jazz fusion virtuosos and later by well known funk bands.

[Part of the obituary is based on information provided by the Robert Moog official Website and Wikipedia].

World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20050823103242185