Here are some interesting facts about Geoff Downes - English keyboardist known as a member of "The Buggles" "Yes", "Asia" and much more:
= He was born on August 25, 1952 in Stockport, Cheshire, England, to musical parents; his father was a church organist, and his mother was a pianist.
= Downes attended Stockport Grammar School and later graduated from Leeds College of Music.
= His musical influences include Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, and Dave Sinclair.
= During the 60s Downes displayed his early talent, playing keyboards with several local bands.
= After moving to London, he worked as a session musician and composed advertising jingles.
= In the years 1975-1977 Downes played in various bands, including "She's French" and "Gary Boyle's band". He also worked on a theatre production of "The Wombles".
= In 1977 Downes met Trevor Horn while auditioning for Tina Charles' backing band, leading to the formation of "The Buggles".
= In 1978 Downes and Horn briefly formed the group "Chromium", recording the album "Star to Star" with Anne Dudley and Hans Zimmer.
= In 1979 "The Buggles" achieved worldwide fame with the release of their hit single "Video Killed the Radio Star", which became the first video clip ever played on MTV.
= In 1980 "The Buggles" released their debut album, "The Age of Plastic".
= The same year Downes and Horn joined "Yes", contributing to the album "Drama". Downes became the first member of "Yes" with a music degree.
= In 1981 "Yes" disbanded and Downes worked with Horn on "The Buggles'" second album, "Adventures in Modern Recording".
= The same year Downes co-founded the supergroup "Asia" with Steve Howe, John Wetton, and Carl Palmer.
= In 1982 he played in one song from Kate Bush's album "The dreaming".
= In 1982 "Asia" released their debut album, "Asia", featuring the hit single "Heat of the Moment." The album spent nine consecutive weeks at number 1 on the Billboard charts.
= In the years 1983 and 1985 "Asia" released their second and third album, "Alpha" and "Astra".
= In 1985 Downes played in Agnetha Faltskog's album "Eyes of a Woman".
= In 1986 he co-produced the "Nothing in Common" single for "Thompson Twins".
= In the years 1986-1990 Downes left "Asia" briefly but rejoined in 1990, remaining a consistent member since then.
= In 1986 Downes produced the Album "GTR" of Steve Howe and Steve Hackett's supergroup "GTR".
= In 1987 he co-produced Mike Oldfield's album "Islands".
= In 1989 Downes participated in a remake of "Deep Purple's" "Smoke on the Water" to raise funds for Spitak earthquake victims.
= In 2001 he released his first studio album with John Wetton.
= In the years 2005-2009 Downes continued his collaborated with John Wetton on the "Icon" project, releasing three studio albums an EP and a live DVD.
= In the year 2006 Downes joined Alan White's band, "White", for their debut album.
= In 2006 Downes reunited with the original "Asia" lineup and continued touring with them until 2008.
= In 2008 "Asia" released "Phoenix", the first new album by the original lineup since 1983.
= In 2010 Downes released the solo album "Electronica".
= In 2011 he rejoined "Yes", recording "Fly from Here" and returning as their full-time keyboardist.
= In 2012 Downes co-founded the "Downes Braide Association" (DBA) with Chris Braide, releasing the album "Pictures of You".
= Until 2023 Downes will continue to release 4 more albums under the "DBA" title.
= In 2012 he co-wrote most of the songs on "Asia’s" 12th studio album "XXX".
= In 2013 Downes joined the quirky, humor-oriented project Deckchair Poets, contributing to albums like "Searchin' for a Lemon Squeezer" and "Who Needs Pyjamas?"
= In 2014 "Yes" released the album "Heaven & Earth" with Downes as a key contributor.
= In 2015 he was featured in Greg Lake's album "Ride the Tiger".
= In 2017, After John Wetton’s death, Downes continued "Asia’s" "Legacy" album with Billy Sherwood as bassist and vocalist.
= In 2021 Downes contributed to "Yes’s" album "The Quest".
= In 2023 Downes was part of "Yes’s" release of "Mirror to the Sky".
= Downes has been married three times, with two daughters from his first marriage. He lives in South Wales with his third wife, Martine, and step-son, Louis.
= Downes entered the Guinness Book of Records for playing 28 keyboards in a single performance.
= Over the years Downes collaborated and was featured in many artists' albums, such as: Steve Howe, John Wetton, Nektar, Billy Idol, Billy Sherwood.
= Downes cites "Yes’s" "Drama" as the album he is most proud of.
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