Creator of music synthesizer passes away.

Robert Moog, who created the electronic music synthesizer that bears his name and became ubiquitous among experimental composers, as well as rock musicians in the 1960s and 70s, died August 21, in his home in Asheville, North Carolina. He was 71.

With degrees in physics, electrical engineering and engineering physics, Moog developed the synthesizer with the goal of creating instruments that were compact and accessible to musicians.

Using a Moog synthesizer, a musician could either imitate acoustic instruments or create purely electronic sounds. At the height of its popularity, rock bands widely used the synthesizer in their music. Jazz musicians, such as Herbie Hancock, also used the synthesizer. More recently, hip-hop groups like the Beastie Boys and rock bands with more experimental tendencies, like Wilco, have revived interest in Moog's instruments.

After selling his company, Moog Music, in 1971, Moog continued to design instruments for the company until 1977. He started Big Briar in 1978 to make new music devices and later renamed the company Moog Music after buying back the name in 2002.