BUGGLES-YES-ASIA - GEOFF DOWNES WURDE 70
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Geoff Downes ist ein vielseitiger Künstler. Im Pop-Bereich war er ebenso erfolgreich wie in Hard-Rock-Bands oder progressiv agierende Formationen. Bevor der Keyboarder bei einem Vorspieltermin für eine Produktion der Disco-Sängerin Tina Charles den Bassisten Trevor Horn traf, hatte er schon einige Stationen durchlaufen, in Bands gespielt, für ein Theater gearbeitet. Mit Horn gründete er das Duo The Buggles, mit dem die beiden 1979 mit "Video Killed The Radio Star" einen Welthit landeten (UK #1, D #2, USA #40). Die dadurch entstandene Popularität führte Downes und Horn 1980 zu Yes, mit denen sie die LP DRAMA einspielten und auf Tour gingen. 1981 gründete Downes die Supergroup Asia, der neben ihm Steve Howe (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP) und John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep, UK) angehörten. 1982 erschien das Debüt ASIA mit der US-Nummer-vier "Heat Of The Moment" (Wetton/Downes). Die LP erreichte in den Charts Platz eins und bekam bis heute viermal Platin. ALPHA (1983) lief ähnlich gut (UK #5, D #11, USA #6). Der bombastische Hardrock der Band galt aber schon bald als Relikt der Siebziger, weshalb Asia ihren Erfolg danach nicht mehr wiederholen konnten. 1986 löste sich die Band auf. Seit 1989 betreibt Downes Asia in wechselnden Besetzung, zwischenzeitlich auch mal im Original-Line-up. Er ist bis heute das einzige konstante Mitglied. Seit 2011 gehört er auch wieder Yes an. Zwischenzeitlich arbeitete er mit John Wetton, Glenn Hughes oder Greg Lake zusammen, war Mitglied verschiedener Bands, unter anderem Trapeze. Geoff Downes wird am 25. August 70 Jahre alt.
Geoff Downes is a all-round artist. He was as successful in Pop music as in Hard Rock bands or progressive acting formations. Before the keyboardist met bassist Trevor Horn at an audition for a production of Disco singer Tina Charles, he had already passed through several stations, played in bands, worked for a theater. With Horn he formed the duo The Buggles, with which the two landed a world hit in 1979 with "Video Killed The Radio Star" (UK #1, D #2, USA #40). The resulting popularity led Downes and Horn to Yes in 1980, with whom they recorded the LP DRAMA and toured. In 1981 Downes formed the supergroup Asia, which included Steve Howe (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP) and John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep, UK). In 1982, the debut ASIA was released with the US number-four "Heat Of The Moment" (Wetton/Downes). The LP reached number one in the charts and went platinum four times to date. ALPHA (1983) did similarly well (UK #5, D #11, USA #6). However, the band's bombastic Hard Rock was soon considered a relic of the seventies, which is why Asia could not repeat their success thereafter. In 1986 the band disbanded. Since 1989 Downes has been running Asia in a changing line-up, in the meantime also sometimes with the original members. He is the only constant member until today. Since 2011 he also belongs to Yes again. In the meantime he worked with John Wetton, Glenn Hughes or Greg Lake, was a member of various bands, including Trapeze. Geoff Downes will be 70 years old on August 25.
Geoff Downes is a all-round artist. He was as successful in Pop music as in Hard Rock bands or progressive acting formations. Before the keyboardist met bassist Trevor Horn at an audition for a production of Disco singer Tina Charles, he had already passed through several stations, played in bands, worked for a theater. With Horn he formed the duo The Buggles, with which the two landed a world hit in 1979 with "Video Killed The Radio Star" (UK #1, D #2, USA #40). The resulting popularity led Downes and Horn to Yes in 1980, with whom they recorded the LP DRAMA and toured. In 1981 Downes formed the supergroup Asia, which included Steve Howe (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP) and John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep, UK). In 1982, the debut ASIA was released with the US number-four "Heat Of The Moment" (Wetton/Downes). The LP reached number one in the charts and went platinum four times to date. ALPHA (1983) did similarly well (UK #5, D #11, USA #6). However, the band's bombastic Hard Rock was soon considered a relic of the seventies, which is why Asia could not repeat their success thereafter. In 1986 the band disbanded. Since 1989 Downes has been running Asia in a changing line-up, in the meantime also sometimes with the original members. He is the only constant member until today. Since 2011 he also belongs to Yes again. In the meantime he worked with John Wetton, Glenn Hughes or Greg Lake, was a member of various bands, including Trapeze. Geoff Downes will be 70 years old on August 25.