No slam to you, Stevie or the interviewer, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard of someone supposedly having the 1st or 2nd Moog modular or whatever.
The truth can change a bit when it’s recalled from 40 years before.
Here’s some documented info and it may jive or not with this interview, but here it is:
A Day in the Life began recording on Jan 19, 1967.
The strings were recorded on Feb 10, 1967.
The album was released on June 1st 1967.
Also, there’s a small typo on this list, but it’s a name so I think it’s important.
Serial #1007 was owned by Ralph Swickard, not Switchard.
I spoke to Ralph shortly before his death and helped in arranging a trade of gear for this Moog. (a IIC, if I recall)
Ralph told me that his Moog needed service very badly, but he expected to die within months.
I explained that I couldn’t turn around his synth that quickly, but could trade him some analog gear that worked well.
Ralph replied that this was fine and that he “just wanted to play something on his way out.”
His modular was then traded to a friend for several keyboard synths, SEMs, a 2600, etc.
This friend then brought me the synth for service and later sold it to Erik Norlander.
Ralph passed away shortly afterwards from throat cancer.
In a weird way i find that a very uplifting story. The acceptance of death with the ‘i’m going to carry on playing’ attitude. Good on you Ralph. i hope i’m like that if i reach a similar stage in my life. Thanks for sharing that story.
Thanks.
Ralph had a great attitude.
One had to listen very closely to him speak as his cancer had affected his throat badly.
But he definitely spoke in an uplifting way and didn’t appear depressed at all.
Here’s a 1997 obituary from Stanford University.
(Ralph said he had throat cancer and this says stomach cancer, but I don’t think it’s important in the grand scheme of things…)
Ralph Swickard, '42, Gr '52, of Los Angeles, February 14, at 86, of stomach cancer. While at Stanford, he played violin and viola in chamber music ensembles and the Stanford student orchestra, played French horn in the Stanford band, and was a member of the track and field team. After three years of service in World War II, he worked briefly in engineering in the Bay Area. He then moved to Southern California and helped produce a film about the Hollywood String Quartet, as well as The Trumpet, starring Rafael Mendez. He independently produced the documentary A Visit With Darius Milhaud, the composer with whom he later studied. He also composed music for dance and theater performances. During the 1970s, he taught electronic music at Santa Barbara City College and was an instructor of music theory at San Jose State U. From 1980 to 1994, he participated in the annual summer Adirondack Festival of American Music. In 1995, he produced the CD Milhaud in Midi and, in 1996, The Gregg Smith Singers Perform Choral and Vocal Music of Ralph Swickard. Survivors: two daughters, Daryl Swickard Russo and Claudine; and two grandchildren.
I know, but unfortunately, when it’s your time, it’s your time, and you can’t take them with you. I myself will donate my LP to the Moog Foundation. When I write my will, of course.
Arkansas has the only Band Museum in the country. I thought of donating my stuff there but the last time I went in there the guy sold a lot of stuff.
He had stuff like a 2000 year old trumpet, contra and subcontrabass clarinets, a folded soprano sax, old stuff, lots of cool stuff.
THe last time I was in there he gave me a “Parliaments” 45. It was great!
I was kind of pissed at him cause he emptied the place though.
Ralph Swickard is my grandpa and I actually remember him tradeing in his moog for other equipment so he could play his last few months. I was visiting with my mother Daryl and my sister linda. Ralph my grandpa in his last few months got me into music even though I was only 6 when he past I learned a great deal from him I still play his violin and viola on a regular basis and I can’t wait tell the next time I visit mycaunt to play his stienway parlor grand. He had an exceptional taste in instruments and music which I am greatly appreciate inheriting from him. I wish I could have at least half his strenght going out the way he did to stomach cancer. Love you grandpa we miss you and you will never be forgotten.
Peter Russo
Thank you for sharing! It’s great that your grandfather’s instruments have found new life, and aren’t rotting away in a basement or attic. Too often, that happens when a musician dies. Cheers!
Rush - Tom Sawyer
Steve Miller - Fly Like an Eagle
The Cars - You’re Just What I Needed
Parliment - Flashlight
Talking Heads - Life During Wartime https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obAtn6I5rbY
below - too funny, I had no idea. just reading the forum, sipping coffee.
vvvvv
