Sydney Australia, April 13, 2012:
The Sydney Opera House is globally recognised for its unique design. It’s less well known that it houses the world’s biggest mechanical-action organ. That Grand Organ will be put to the test today by Geoff Downes, the legendary keyboard player for Yes, Asia and the Buggles. The virtuoso is in Sydney to play keyboards for the sold out show by Yes.
The Sydney Opera House are allowing the keyboard maestro to undertake a private performance on the 10,244 pipe organ.
Downes came to world fame as one half of The Buggles when he co-wrote the pop classic ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ – a number one hit in 16 countries. He was once entered for the Guinness Book of Records for performing with the most keyboards on stage in one performance (28 keyboards in total). He was also in the first ever video to air on MTV back in 1981.
Wherever he tours with Yes and Asia, Geoff Downes gets to play on the some of the world’s best organs. But now in Sydney, he will get to play on the biggest organ of its kind in the world.
The Grand Organ dominates the end of the main concert hall in the Sydney Opera House. It was designed and built during the period 1969 to 1979. It is 16 metres high, 13 metres wide and a total of 8 metres deep and weighs 37.5 tonnes. With 10,244 pipes, the organ is unique. The performance by Downes at the Sydney Opera House will be filmed and placed on YouTube.