Geoff Downes

Geoff Downes
Geoff Downes
	Downes performing in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Geoffrey Downes
Born	25 August 1952 (age 71); Stockport, Cheshire, England
Genres	Progressive rock; hard rock; space rock; new wave; electronic rock;
Occupation(s)	Musician; songwriter; producer;
Instrument(s)	Keyboards
Years active	1974–present
Labels	EMI America; Frontiers; Geffen; Universal;
Member of	Yes; Asia; DBA (Downes Braide Association);
Formerly of	The Buggles; Trapeze; White; New Dance Orchestra; Icon;
Website	geoffdownes.com

Geoffrey Downes (born 25 August 1952)^[1] is an English keyboardist who gained fame as a member of the new wave group the Buggles with Trevor Horn, the progressive rock band Yes, and the supergroup Asia.

Born in Stockport, Downes moved to London to pursue a music career. In 1977, he formed the Buggles with Horn and enjoyed success with their first album The Age of Plastic (1980) which included the worldwide hit single "Video Killed the Radio Star".^[2] In May 1980, Downes joined Yes with Horn and recorded Drama (1980). After Yes disbanded in 1981, Downes helped Trevor Horn to produce a second Buggles album, Adventures in Modern Recording (1981) although he was only primarily involved for half of it, and co-founded Asia with ex-Yes fellow musician Steve Howe. He left Asia in 1986, rejoined in 1990, and has been a part of the lineup since then; he released several solo albums and produced for several artists, including Mike Oldfield and the Thompson Twins.

In 2006, Downes reunited the original Asia lineup and rejoined Yes in 2011; he is currently a member of both groups. Since 1998, he has reunited with Horn on special occasions to perform songs from the Buggles. Downes entered the Guinness Book of Records for performing with a record 28 keyboards on stage in a single performance.^[3]

^ Gregory, Andy. International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002. p. 143. Routledge, 2002. ISBN 978-1-85743-161-2
^ Peel, Ian (1 January 2010). "From the Art of Plastic to the Age of Noise". Trevorhorn.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
^ Johnson, Brent (8 September 2011). "Interview: Geoff Downes of Yes". Pop-break.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2014.

[1] Gregory, Andy. International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002. p. 143. Routledge, 2002. ISBN 978-1-85743-161-2

[Ianpeel-2] Peel, Ian (1 January 2010). "From the Art of Plastic to the Age of Noise". Trevorhorn.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.

[3] Johnson, Brent (8 September 2011). "Interview: Geoff Downes of Yes". Pop-break.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2014.

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