Bob Moog may not have been the very first creator of the 'synthesizer', but he was responsible for creating the 'modern-day' synthesizer... the one which changed musical history. Keith Emerson... wOw! No matter what I say... it doesn't seem like enough. In my opinion, Keith is the person who not only showed the world that keyboards could replace guitars as the lead instrument(s), but he also showed the world that a modular synthesizer could be used in a live, rock-show environment... and used quite well. He didn't just play the Moog's keyboard... he actually played the instrument and it's modules, producing sounds that most people had never heard before, much less, in a Progressive and Symphonic-Rock style. So... for me, this was like a dream come true.

The first event, "a FREE Moog clinic featuring Keith Emerson and Bob Moog", was held at Manny's Music store... a musical landmark, in New York City. I had no idea what to expect. I arrived early... browsed around at Manny's, and a couple of other music stores on the same block, seeing various synthesizers on display in the shop windows. While looking at a Moog Sonic-Six, I looked up to see Bob Moog himself, approaching on the sidewalk... also window-browsing. He stopped right next to me, looking at the Sonic-Six, and made some comment about the price and condition. I introduced myself... gave him the short-version of how his modular-synths had changed my life, and he shook my hand, warmly, and said that he was glad that so many people appreciated his efforts, and creations. I quickly whipped-out photos of my Synthesizers.com system... and, surprisingly enough, his mouth dropped open, and let out an extended "Oh... wOw!". As he continued to look, he started asking me questions... noticing that the design was different than his Moog-designs. He asked what it was (brand... or home-made)... and a series of other questions... finally saying "That's impressive!". When I told him that I lived very near his home, in Asheville, N.C., he gave me his 'personal' email address, and invited me to contact him... that perhaps we could get together some Sunday, when his schedule was less hectic.

I hardly had time to catch my breath before... here came non-other than Keith Emerson, himself, walking with Will Alexander (Keith's "Moog-Dude", who did the maintenance, set-up, and behind the scenes Moog-Tech during shows), and a couple of the guys in Keith's new band. I had seen ELP every time they played in concert, in my hometown of Memphis. In 1972, during "Tarkus", Keith grabbed his Ribbon Controller, ran out to center stage... played some 'way-kewel' improvisations... then, to everyone's surprise, he jumped-off the stage and ran up the aisle into the audience, still playing the Ribbon Controller. Of course, the audience went wild, and immediately surrounded him. Keith had his modular set up in the 3-P (portable 3-cabinet) custom system, at that time.

When ELP returned to Memphis in May of 1974, it was exactly one week (to the day) before they headlined the famous "California Jam", which was televised, and featured Keith, and the 'flying piano'. That was probably the highlight, most memorable of all of ELP's tours... the "Welcome Back My Friends, to the Show that Never Ends" tour... and Keith's Moog had grown into the 'monster' which became so world-famous. The instant tickets were available, I had mine... and managed to get 4th row, center! This time, Keith did something even more memorable with his Ribbon Controller. During "Tarkus", he ran out to center stage again... but this time, he shot fireballs over the heads of the audience. I remember feeling the heat from one which came pretty-damn close. Someone in our little group (and I couldn't say who) snuck a cassette recorder into the concert  ; )   .... and during the fireball segment, you can hear the people nearby all shout and "whoa!" as it happened. The 70's, in my opinion, were definitely the 'era of the modular synthesizers'... (at least, the first era... cuz they're really making a strong comeback, now... and are very much alive and well, these days).

Another group which played a major roll in the Progressive-Rock genre, and the use of synthesizers in concert, was "YES"... and Rick Wakeman. On the second night of MoogFest 2004, Rick was one of the many musicians appearing, and playing. It happened to be his birthday... and Keith Emerson, Bob Moog, and everyone there sung 'Happy Birthday' to Rick, with Keith playing the lead on his modular. While Keith used several MiniMoogs as a part of his arsenal, Rick usually toured with at least 6 MiniMoogs, besides all of his other 'keys'... and Mellowtron's (a keyboard which uses prerecorded 3-track tapes for each key on the keyboard) (not really a synthesizer... more of an analog-tape forefather of a sampler... but with playback capabilities only). Anyway... back in the early to mid 70's... in many keyboard and Progressive-Rock circles, there seemed to be a competition between Keith and Rick... as in, which was 'the King'. Keith had already become known as "The Keyboard Wizard", from his time prior to ELP, when he was with "The Nice".

I was able to get in to B. B. King's early... during rehearsal and sound-check, and got some great shots of Keith's Moog... and, Will Alexander doing some tweaking. I also got to meet the authors of a great book about the evolution of synthesizers, the people, ands the scene, "Analog Days", Pinch and Trocco... and purchased Trevor Pinch's "personal copy"... complete with autographs. As soon as I turned around, a guy offered me $200 for the book.   : o

At any rate... going to the first 'MoogFest', for me, WAS truly, a lifelong dream come true... even though the round-trip dive was more than 26 hours... a couple of thousand bucks spent for the entire trip... the exhaustion... the bad back... and everything- it was still, very much, a trip worth taking. I even had a chance to swing by NBC Plaza to check out "The Today Show", and be a part of the crowd you always see. Ah well... twas fun.

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