Unfortunately, it's the second post I have to create in this section today.

Don Lewis, a synthesis pioneer, LEO creator and consultant for Roland and Yamaha, has passed away aged 81 on 2022 Nov. 06.

Don Lewis was equally talented technically and musically. He started his career as a nuclear weapons specialist in the US Air Force. After his time in the Air Force, he worked as an electronics engineer. But he also was active as a choral director, nightclub musician and composer.

From Musictech:

The musical mastermind rose to popularity in the 70s when he created LEO, his Live Electronic Orchestra, and began integrating it into a variety of synths. Lewis also worked with Roland’s Ikutaro Kakehashi on a range of machines, with the most memorable being the CR-78 and TR-808 drum machine.

He worked for Roland as a consultant before eventually heading over to Yamaha, where he worked on patches for the iconic DX7 FM synthesizer. During his success in the music industry, Lewis also worked with artists such as Sergio Mendez, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, the Brothers Johnson and more as a producer and live performer. He even once opened for The Beach Boys in 1974.

He created LEO in the same year, which he finalised in 1977. It went on to be known as one of the most complex keyboard rigs prior to the existence of MIDI which came a decade later. Lewis once said (via Synthtopia): “During the early 70’s, my earliest performances with multi-keyboard setups consisted of playing organ and four monophonic keyboards. It was an exciting time for me as I explored sound synthesis.”

He continued, “It was also challenging as I was surrounded with many keyboards, some of which could only play one note at a time. Depending on the music and the sound desired, my arms were often stretched out to the limit to just reach the keyboards around me. I decided to design a keyboard console that would allow better access to the synthesiser and keyboards for performance.”

Lewis was the centre of a 2020 documentary called The Ballad Of Don Lewis, you can watch the trailer below:

 

Last edited: Nov 14, 2022

coming to PBS early next year

 

... dude Roland TR-808 and the amazing Roland RE-201...
I recommend watching the documentary The Ballad of Don Lewis: The Untold Story of a Synthesizer Pioneer.

 

Don Lewis with the Roland VP-550 (1/4)

 

Such incredible raw talent.

Rest in peace, Don Lewis.

 

A great artist and human being. God bless his soul. Rest in Power Don!

 

Don Lewis at his one-of-kind creation, LEO (Live Electronic Orchestra)