Moog synth in prog history!

Fitzcarraldo:

Got it!  Yes, although the history books don't tell it, it is the truth.  Les - who invented not only multi-track recording, the sustaining solid-body electric guitar, the first disc-cutting lathe, and early echo, chorus, delay and other guitar effects (and also had a small hand in "stereo," developed by his pal, Jim Palmer) - happened upon (i.e., created) schematics for a synthesizer when Bob Moog was still in college (well, maybe grad school...)  However, Les ultimately got involved in many other guitar-related projects, and put those schematics aside.

When Bob first met Les in the early to mid-60s, Bob was going on about this idea he had for a keyboard that would produce multiple sounds through electronic gates and other technical effects.  Les told Bob that he had come up with early designs for just such a thing, and asked Bob if he'd like to have them.

A little less than three years later, the prototype Moog synthesizer was revealed.

And while there is no question that Bob refined the schematics - perhaps a great deal - the original idea and initial schematics were developed by Les.

I'll give you another great little-known Les Paul story.

As you know, Les did all the recording of himself and Mary Ford at home, on early multi-track recording devices created and built by him.  He had just finished multi-tracking Mary's parts for a song, when he was visited by a young man who  had made an appointment to meet Les, just because he was a fan.  (Les is one of the most "available" legends in the world.)

As the young man came in, Les wanted to "show off" the new multi-tracked parts.  So he turned on the tape player.  However, he had accidentally set the speed from 33 to 45.  When he realized this, he stopped the tape, reset the speed, and played the tape.  However, the young man said, "Hey, could you play that back again the way it was the first time?"  Les obliged.  The young man said, "Do you mind if I use that idea?"  Les told him to feel free and "have fun."

The man was David Seville, and thus was born Alvin and the Chipmunks.  So Les even had a hand in that!

A true story...

Peace.

Danbo:

Oh!  Missed by one!  ....?

Peace.

Fitzcarraldo:

Actually, the theremin works on a slightly different principle than a synthesizer.  By the way, there was also the famous "tubon," a keyboard-like instrument developed by Kurzweil for Kraftwerk, which made a sound somewhere between a sax and a kazoo.  Only a handful were ever created - and one of them is available on Ebay!

The answer to my question is still wanting...

Peace.

Fitzcarraldo et al:

I'll give you another hint.  A certain electronics wizard - who predates Bob Moog  by at least a decade, possibly two - was toying around with the idea of creating a guitar synthesizer.  However, after designing the initial schematics, he put the idea on the back burner.  Years later, he met Bob Moog, who was hot on the idea of a keyboard synthesizer.  This gentleman then handed Bob Moog the original schematics he had developed, and essentially told him: "Have fun!"  About three years later, the protoype "Moog" synthesizer was revealed.

Well?

Avram Fawcett wrote: I believe that The Rolling Stones used a Moog in December of 1967 on Their Satanic Majesties Request, though it may have a mellotron. Stones is believed to have been the very first album (obscure or otherwise) to ever feature a Moog. Emil Richards, who did it, was also a member of The Zodiac. They did Cosmic Sounds. Then Beaver sold a Moog to Micky Dolenz of The Monkees and it was used on Pisces, Aqaurius, Capricorn, & Jones, Ltd. Of all the groups I would have guessed brought the Moog in to mainstream, The Monkees were a surprise!

Mellotron for sure - I remember Brian Jones doing a BBC radio interview with the rest of the Stones a week before that  album was released in the UK. He was most lucid when enthusing about using  this new instrument the Mellotron - he did sound in a bad state for most of the show.

I believe that The Rolling Stones used a Moog in December of 1967 on Their Satanic Majesties Request, though it may have a mellotron.

Stones is believed to have been the very first album (obscure or otherwise) to ever feature a Moog. Emil Richards, who did it, was also a member of The Zodiac. They did Cosmic Sounds. Then Beaver sold a Moog to Micky Dolenz of The Monkees and it was used on Pisces, Aqaurius, Capricorn, & Jones, Ltd. Of all the groups I would have guessed brought the Moog in to mainstream, The Monkees were a surprise!

The first Moog modular synth created in 1967.

 Interesting thread!

 Good one, Phillippe!