synth-pop / new wave
The term is linked to the launch of the Minimoog in 1970, created by Robert Moog in collaboration with the composers Walter Carlos (A Clockwork Orange) and Herbert A. Deutsch.
ARP Instruments developed the Odyssey as a direct competitor to the Moog Minimoog.
They produced several versions of the Odyssey from 1972 to 1980.
These were followed in 1976 by the Oberheim OB-1, in 1978 by the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 and the Korg MS-10 and MS-20, and in 1979 by the Fairlight CMI.
Following in the footsteps of Sparks, Devo and Kraftwerk, artists began to embrace synth-driven melodies in the late 1970s: the Alan Parsons Project, the Buggles, The Cars, Blondie, The Motors, Ultravox, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and the Human League.
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
London-based band formed in 1974 were pioneers of the new wave movement with Ultravox! They played a concert at the Rainbow Theatre in 1977.
Following Singles : Vienna and Sleepwalk were played on a Yamaha CS-80.
Ultravox
1977
The New York band Blondie, formed in 1974 by Deborah Harry and Chris Stein, shifted from a post-punk sound to an electro-pop/new wave sound on two albums: Parallel Lines (1978) and Eat To The Beat (1979)
The accompanying synthesisers were the Roland SH-1000, Yamaha CS-80 and ARP Odyssey (1971).
Hanging on the Telephone is a cover version of the 1976 song written by Jack Lee and performed by the Nerves,
1978
In July 1979, the Moog sound of the electro hit ‘Are “Friends” Electric?’ (a tribute to Philip K. Dick) sung by Gary Numan of the band Tubeway Army, heralded the long era of synth-pop that was to follow, which would define the 1980s and beyond.
Ultravox were the blueprint for what I wanted to do, but I stumbled across them by accident.
1979
Links
synth-db.com : source for information, specs, manuals and patches for hardware synthesizers or related.
The synths behind OMD’s Enola Gay.
theartsdesk Q&A: Musician Gary Numan.
De gauche à droite :
Deborah Harry, Devo.
Simple Minds © Laurie Evans, Ultravox, Psychedelic Furs, .
XTC, Magazine, The Lords Of The New Church.
The Cure : Lol, Michael, Bob (1976) – Lol, Matthieu, Bob & Simon (1979) – Bob, Simon, Lol (1981)
