Moog Synthesizer

The Moog Synthesizer was originated by Dr Robert Moog in the mid-sixties and launched commercially in 1970. Ostensibly a keyboard, the instrument was capable of making a vast range of electronically generated sounds, which opened the door for many aspiring groups to proceed beyond the limited vista of two guitars, bass and drums.

Even suitable for onstage work, its disposal of the spaghetti forest of wires that were previously the lot of electronic musicians, not to mention the remarkably low price of $2,000 put the Mini-Moog within the reach of all but the unambitious.

The American Federation of Musicians were uncertain about its advantages to the organization however, and considered a ban on the instrument they were concerned might affect the ability of some of their members to earn a living as musicians.

Walter Carlos' CBS album Switched On Bach was the first well-known album to be played almost entirely on a Moog, while The Beatles were amongst the first to use a Moog in the rock field. Many groups then began to make use of the Moog (and the other synthesizers that followed it), most notably Pink Floyd, ELP, The Who, Curved Air, Manfred Mann's Earth Band and Roxy Music.