Few people have heard of it, yet many consider John Blankenbaker's KENBAK-1 to be the first commercial personal computer.
Moog: A film by Hans Fjellestad
By James Grahame
Each generation, there are only a few lucky/brilliant/sufficiently eccentric people who manage to dramatically inspire the world. Dr. Bob Moog was one such character. He wasn't the first to build electronic instruments, nor was he the most successful. However, no one can deny that a classic early 1970s Minimoog Model D has a personality and unique sound unlike anything else.
Although Bob passed away in 2005, his namesake company continues to release successful new instruments from their factory in Ashville, North Carolina. In many ways, Moog Music is the Harley-Davidson of the electronic music industry. Their devices are distinctly analog, encased in metal and wood, with knobs and switches taking precedence over digital displays and blinking LEDs.
Hans Fjellestad released this 70 minute documentary in 2004. It highlights Moog's obsession with sound and artistic creation, drawing from his wisdom with commentary from the likes of Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson and Herb Deutsch. If you're a synthesizer aficionado, it is definitely worth watching.
Moog: A film by Hans Fjellestad [official site]
