Maxfield Doyle Crook, born on November 2, 1936, in Lincoln, Nebraska, was an influential American musician and a pioneer in electronic music within the pop genre. Raised in a musically inclined family, Crook moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, during his childhood. His mother, Helen Crook, was a classically trained pianist, which likely influenced his early musical development. Initially learning the accordion, Crook transitioned to the piano and built his own studio by age fourteen.

Crook attended the University of New Mexico before transferring to Western Michigan University, where he formed a rock and roll group called The White Bucks. In 1959, the group released a single, "Get That Fly," on Dot Records. That same year, Crook invented the Musitron, a monophonic synthesizer created from a clavioline and various electronic components. Although he couldn't patent the Musitron, its unique sound left a significant mark on the music industry.

In 1959, Crook met Charles Westover, later known as Del Shannon, and joined his band. Together, they co-wrote "Runaway," a song that became an international hit in 1961, featuring Crook's Musitron. "Runaway" is recognized as one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Crook also recorded several instrumental tracks under the name Maximilian, achieving hits in Canada and Argentina.

Max Crook passed away on July 1, 2020, at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer in electronic music.