Top ten of the 60s
The people and tech that launched a thousand cultural movements
01 MOOG SYNTHESIZER MODEL I, II & III
We have to give top billing to Dr Bob and the first electronic keyboard to adopt the branding and description of ‘synthesizer’. Initially released in 1967, the Synthesizer Model I,II and III provided a single unit solution, albeit using modules, for musicians to explore. It also secured the term ‘synthesiser’ in the musician’s psyche, and for that, we thank you Dr Bob!02 BUCHLA SYSTEM 100
Don Buchla looked at electronic instruments in a slightly different way, which we have come to describe in the synthesis world as ‘West Coast’. Emanating from San Francisco, which was also the home of the minimalist movement, with composers such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich, the Buchla System was more experimental than the Moog equivalent, a notion that has heavily infiltrated Eurorack and the modular synthesiser movement that we have today.
03 BBC RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP
Founded in 1958 and housed in the hallowed halls of the BBC Maida Vale studios, the Radiophonic Workshop were initially a band of mathematicians, composers and enthusiasts. By day, they’d operate machines associated with BBC broadcasts, while by night they’d experiment. Desmond Briscoe, Delia Derbyshire and Daphne Oram provided many tape-based compositions for BBC programmes, instead of the more traditional orchestrated scores, although synthesisers were not included in the early days, in favour of tape and editing.
04 THE DOORS STRANGE DAYS
In 1967 the band The Doors produced an album called Strange Days. The Moog Modular was part of the creative process for this album, in a slightly unorthodox manner. Paul Beaver assisted in processing the vocals for various elements of this album, exploring the versatility of the vast modular system
05 THE MELLOTRON
While not a synth, in the conventional sense, the Mellotron was no less groundbreaking. Having first appeared in 1963, in the guise of the Mark 1 model, the Mark 2 followed in 1964. It was an extraordinary concept, involving vast amounts of prerecorded tape, delivering a selection of acoustic instruments. Some users did however notice that the pitch could vary in performance, according to how reliable the power source was at a particular venue.
06 MOOG MODULAR
A mystical machine that has become legendary, the Moog Modular was the culmination of innovation and development between Bob Moog and Herb Deutsch. It used voltage control, which set a precedent for the vast majority of synthesisers that followed, although the modular was never originally referred to as a synthesiser. It was big and heavy, and had a price-tag to match, but that didn’t stop many early adopters using it to create the sound of the future.
07 TELSTAR - THE TORNADOS
One of the most iconic pop tracks from the 1960s, Telstar was written and produced by legendary producer Joe Meek. It continues to be one of his most recognised works, identifiable by the recorded feedback loops at the beginning and the end, with the unmistakable sound of the Ondioline, for the lead line. The production still sounds as modern as it ever did, despite it having been recorded at Meek’s own home studio, above a shop on the Holloway Road.
08 EMS VCS3 The VCS3 was developed by Peter Zinovieff, David Cockerell and Tristram Cary, under their company name of EMS. Released in 1969, it offered a relatively unique potential for sound creation, with many artists exploring its architecture with a motive toward sound design. It’s still very popular today with artists such as Ian Boddy and Jean-Michel Jarre, and is one of the most highly prized electronic instruments available on the second hand vintage market.
09 THE MONKEYS - PISCES, AQUARIUS, CAPRICORN & JONES LTD
While being recognised as one of the first examples of a created boy band, The Monkees harvested a vast collection of hits, written by artists like Neil Diamond. In September of 1967, Mickey Dolenz purchased a Moog IIIp Synthesiser, using it on the album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd, which was released in November of that year.
10 SWITCHED ON BACH
Musician and collaborator Wendy Carlos created a unique sound world, thanks to her custom Moog Modular installation, developed in conjunction with Dr Bob himself. Carlos’ innate understanding of Bach’s music and use of electronics in music making, resulted in an initial album which was an enormous hit and critical success, culminating in an outstanding rendition of Bach’s 3rd
Brandenburg Concerto, realised and played on multi-track tape, by Wendy. It remains a cultural and historical classic.