To celebrate the birthday of Bob Moog, creator of the Moog synthesizer, Google has made it their doodle of the day.

A Theremin salesman at 20 years old in 1954, Bob Moog eventually created the first modular synthesizer in 1963. One year later he began taking orders for his creation.

Loads of bands have used Moog synthesizers in their records, including the Beatles, although their popularity hit a fever pitch in the ’70s and ’80s. You can hear the instrument on records by Blondie, Duran Duran, New Order, Prince and more.

In an interview during Moog Fest, appropriately located at the Moog factory in Asheville, North Carolina last November, Anthony Gonzales from M83 explained his fascination with the instrument. “I have a love for vintage synthesizers, and this is how it all started. My love of synthesizers is coming from my childhood. And since this moment, I’m obsessed with synthesizers because it looks beautiful and it has a sound of my childhood memories. I don’t think I can ever get rid of this. The history of the bands that played with Moog… they’re timeless.”

-Zack Nechvatal, WXRT/Chicago and Jay Tilles, CBS Local

Bob Moog Birthday / Synthesizer [Playlist]

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Win Exclusive VIP Experiences

Download FREE MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Connect with XRT on Faceboo