Died On This Date (January 29, 2011) Milton Babbitt / Electronic Music Pioneer
themusicsover Milton Babbitt
May 10, 1916 – January 29, 2011
Milton Babbitt was an American composer who helped develop the world’s first synthesizer during the 1950s. Babbitt was just 4 years old when he took up the violin, and within a few years he branched out to the saxophone and clarinet. He was arranging songs by the time he was 7, and winning songwriting contests by 13. In college, Babbitt received honors for his studies in both music and mathematics. After the development of RCA’s Mark II synthesizer, Babbitt devoted his time and energy to making electronic music, often combining synthesizer and conventional instruments. Milton Babbitt passed away on January 29, 2011. He was 94.
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Geoffrey Burgon was a British composer who is best remembered for his television and film scores. Burgon learned to play the trumpet in grade school and until the age of 30, he played professionally as part of various jazz bands. Growing tired of it, he turned to his other love, composing. His first piece of note was 1976’s Requiem. He found his most success on British television, composing award winning music for the likes of Brideshead Revisted and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He also created music for Monty Python’s Life Of Brian, Doctor Who, and The Chronicles Of Narnia. His music could be heard on the BBC and ITV over the past four decades. Geoffrey Burgon was 69 when he passed away on September 21, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately release.
Chuck Greenberg was a musician, producer and composer who is best remembered as the leader of Shadowfax, a Grammy-winning band that is generally thought of as “New Age.” Greenberg launched his music career during the ’70s and was soon was tapped to perform in the Bee Gees’ back-up band on one of their U.S. tours. He soon moved to Los Angeles where he formed Shadowfax. The band built a loyal fanbase thanks to it’s ability to marry elements of rock, world, jazz and folk music. They would become one of the few New Age bands to cross over to a pop audience. The band traveled the world playing to adoring fans until Septembe 4, 1995 when Chuck Greenberg died unexpectedly of a heart attack. He was 44. 
Guy Babylon was a composer and keyboardist who, in 1989 was hired by Elton John to tour and record with him. He won a Grammy in 2001 for his work on Aida, a rock musical by John and Tim Rice. While swimming in a pool on September 2, 2009, Guy Babylon suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 52.