Synth Legends, don’t miss this symposium with Bob Moog’s final public appearance

August 21, 2025 Synth Anatomy Synth Radar 0

Synth Legends is an upcoming livestream of a symposium from 2005 with five synth legends, including Bob Moog’s final public appearance.

Exactly 20 years ago, legendary Synthesizer developer Bob Moog passed away. He has shaped the Synthesizer world like no other developer. Sadly, more legendary developers have passed away in recent years.

Probably the most famous of the last few years was Dave Smith from Sequential (ex Dave Smith Instruments), who invented the MIDI standard. In remembrance and honor of these synth legends, Michelle Moog-Koussa of the Bob Moog Foundation has organized a special symposium livestream.

This livestream will take place on the Foundation’s YouTube channel at 8 pm (EDT) on August 21st, the 20th anniversary of Moog’s passing. It is based on a recording of a symposium, which initially took place in Los Angeles in 2005.

It features synth pioneers Bob Moog, Tom Oberheim, Dave Smith, and special guest Marcus Ryle. Drum machine innovator Roger Linn moderated the panel. More importantly, it was Bob Moog’s last public appearance before he died of a brain tumor four months later.

But it’s more than just a look back at this historic meetup of developers. Michelle Moog-Koussa, Marcus Ryle, Tom Oberheim, and Denise Smith will be present in the live chat during the screening to answer questions and share additional historical insights.

During the one-hour and thirty-eight-minute symposium, all four innovators reflect separately about their unique histories and innovations before the group answers a series of questions collectively.

The event, originally filmed in front of a live audience, was later released on DVD in limited quantities. This is the first time it will be aired in its entirety, with masterful audio enhancement of the camera mics provided by Harold LaRue Mastering.

“The Bob Moog Foundation is honored to share this historical symposium with our audience worldwide,” noted Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation.

“This is not only an opportunity to remember Bob Moog on the 20th anniversary of his passing, but it is a chance to celebrate all four synthesizer innovators and hear them lend insight into their illustrious careers and accomplishments. We are deeply grateful for our sponsors, who made this event possible.”