John Robie, legendary producer and musician behind iconic tracks like 'Planet Rock,' shares his journey through music history and the evolution of electronic beats. Starting at age five during The Beatles era, Robie's musical path began with an electronic chord organ and later expanded to guitar and keyboards.

His first significant venture was forming the band 'Backdoor Man,' where his father's investment in a Farfisa organ marked his entry into electronic music. After college, a pivotal moment came when he met Ray Jones, who introduced him to the Moog synthesizer, fundamentally shaping his understanding of electronic sound.

Robie's career transformed when he met Eddie O'Loughlin of Next Plateau Entertainment. Through this connection, he immersed himself in various music genres, from disco to hip-hop, leading him to identify as a 'sound architect' rather than just a keyboardist.

The creation of 'Planet Rock' emerged from a sequence of fortunate meetings, including connections with R. Rodriguez and Tom Silverman of Tommy Boy Entertainment, alongside producer Arthur Baker.

On modern music production, Robie expresses concern about over-sophistication in synthesizers and the industry's tendency toward mediocrity. He emphasizes how cultural diversity naturally existed in the 1980s music scene, with artists of different backgrounds collaborating organically.

Key insights from Robie's experience:

• Early exposure to electronic instruments shaped his musical direction
• Cultural immersion is crucial for musical understanding
• Artist innovation remains vital for industry growth
• The danger of accepting mediocrity in music affects both artists and society
• Passion for music shouldn't be confused with arrogance

His story exemplifies how embracing different musical cultures and maintaining artistic integrity can lead to groundbreaking contributions in the music industry.

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