Mort Garson

Biography

Mort Garson was born on July 20, 1924, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, to Russian Jewish refugee parents. His family relocated to New York City during his youth, where Garson began playing piano at age 11 and pursued formal music studies at the Juilliard School. After serving in the Army during World War II, he established himself as a pianist, arranger, and composer, working with popular artists and penning several hit songs, most notably 'Our Day Will Come' for Ruby & the Romantics, which topped the Billboard charts in 1963.

In the late 1960s, Garson became a pioneering figure in electronic music, embracing the Moog synthesizer and collaborating with its inventor, Robert Moog. His most celebrated work, 'Mother Earth's Plantasia' (1976), was an experimental album created specifically for plants, blending lush, melodic synthesizer textures. Garson also produced a series of concept albums exploring themes from astrology to the occult, and composed for film and television, further showcasing his versatility. Despite limited recognition during his lifetime, Garson's innovative use of electronics and genre-blending compositions have gained renewed acclaim in the 21st century, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in ambient and new-age music.

Fun Facts

• Garson's album 'Mother Earth's Plantasia' was originally marketed as 'warm earth music for plants... and the people who love them,' and was given away with houseplants at a Los Angeles store in the 1970s.
• He released several albums under pseudonyms, including occult-themed records like 'Lucifer – Black Mass' and 'Ataraxia – The Unexplained.'
• Garson composed the music for the 1975 Grammy-winning recording of 'The Little Prince' featuring Richard Burton.
• He created music for CBS's coverage of the Apollo 11 moon landing, using electronic sounds to evoke the experience of space travel.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Juilliard School of Music Faculty - Formal music education and training (General studies, no specific works cited) [1940s]

Key Collaborators

• Robert Moog - Collaborated on early Moog synthesizer projects, helping popularize the instrument (Zodiac: Cosmic Sounds, other Moog-based albums) [Late 1960s–1970s]
• Bob Hilliard - Songwriting partner (Popular songs including 'Our Day Will Come') [1950s–1960s]
• Earl Shuman - Songwriting partner (Various pop songs) [1950s–1960s]
• Doris Day, Patti Page, Arthur Prysock - Arranger, conductor, and accompanist (Live performances and recordings) [1950s–1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Brian Eno - Ambient and electronic music pioneer influenced by Garson's early synth work (Ambient series) [1970s–present]
• Aphex Twin - Experimental electronic artist drawing on Garson's synth explorations (Selected Ambient Works) [1990s–present]
• Hiroshi Yoshimura - Japanese ambient composer influenced by Garson's melodic synth style (Green) [1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Plantasia (Mother Earth's Plantasia)
2. Swingin' Spathiphyllums (Mother Earth's Plantasia)
3. Rhapsody in Green (Mother Earth's Plantasia)
4. Symphony for a Spider Plant (Mother Earth's Plantasia)
5. Ode to an African Violet (Mother Earth's Plantasia)
6. Baby's Tears Blues (Mother Earth's Plantasia)
7. Music to Soothe the Savage Snake Plant (Mother Earth's Plantasia)
8. Concerto for Philodendron & Pothos (Mother Earth's Plantasia)
9. You Don't Have to Walk a Begonia (Mother Earth's Plantasia)
10. A Mellow Mood for Maidenhair (Mother Earth's Plantasia)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #electronic, #moogsploitation, #progressive-electronic