Related - Geoffrey Downes

Geoffrey Downes

"You can concern yourself with bigger things
You catch the pearl and ride the dragon wings"
(Downes / Wetton 'Heat Of The Moment')

Our story begins at the day when Barry Palmer introduced to Mike Oldfield his friend John Payne. John did vocals for "Magic Touch", but Mike decided not to use his version. The song producer was Geoffrey Downes, who suggested inviting Max Bacon for singing the song. Finally on the European edition of "Islands" You can hear Jim Price singing and on the American - Max Bacon.
Owing to Downes production of "Magic Touch" this track is sounding heavy and its vocals are very strong. This is also very typical feature of the songs, that he wrote with the super-group Asia.
In 1991 when Oldfield presented the single "Heaven's Open" in the German TV-show "Wetten Dass?" Downes was "playing" keyboards. But in fact he was only miming, as the music was full playback. It's a pity. Geoff is a really good keyboard player.

Solo albums:

The Light Programme (1987);
Vox Humana (1992) - with Max Bacon on vocals in "Tears";
Evolution (1996);
The World Service (2000).

Together with Trevor Horn (bass and vocals) as The Buggles:

The Age Of Plastic (1979) - with the hit "Video Killed The Radio Star";
Adventures In Modern Recording (1982) - as a producer.

With Yes:

Drama (1980).

With Asia:

Asia (1982) - with the hit "Heat Of The Moment";
Alpha (1983);
Astra (1985);
Then And Now (1990);
Aqua (1992) - with the hit "Who Will Stop The Rain";
Aria (1994);
Arena (1996);
Archiva, Vol. 1 &2 (1996).

Other most important members of Asia: John Wetton (formerly in King Crimson) - bass and vocals, Steve Howe (Yes) - guitars, Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake &Palmer) - percussion. In 1992-1994 the group has an excellent guitarist Al Pitrelli. Since 1992 Asia is formed mainly by Geoff Downes and John Payne (guitars and vocals) - the same John Payne, whom Barry Palmer once introduced to Mike Oldfield.

Downes produced album GTR with Max Bacon singing lead vocals. He recorded also with Greg Lake, Steve Howe, Kate Bush (on "Dreaming") and Thompson Twins. On the second solo album by Agnetha Faltskog (ABBA) you can find the beautiful ballad he wrote together with John Wetton.

To show you the twisted way we followed in search for the Mike Oldfield connections with Geoffrey Downes we'd like to mention one very obscure but lovely reference that was sent to us by Jason L. Morgan, the great Asia fan.
Mike first signed and recorded with Virgin Records. The founder and owner of Virgin is Richard Branson who was a very close friend of Mike. Alan White, the drummer of Yes, in which Geoff Downes once played is the friend of Branson as well. In an interview he stated that he couldn't complete one of the Yes albums, because he broke his ankle while roller skating with the owner of Virgin Records... But all in all it seems to be quite different tale...