Was Vangelis the most well known user of the Yamaha CS80?

[Ivan May]

Introduced in 1976, the Yamaha CS80 was a polyphonic analog synthesizer. 

It supports true 8-voice polyphony, with two independent synthesizer layers per voice each with its own set of front panel controls, in addition to a number of hardwired preset voice settings and four parameter settings stores based on banks of subminiature potentiometers (rather than the digital programmable presets the Prophet-5 would sport soon after).

It has exceptionally complete performer expression features, such as a layered keyboard that was both velocity-sensitive (like a piano's) and pressure-sensitive ("after-touch") but unlike most modern keyboards the aftertouch could be applied to individual voices rather than in common, and a ribbon controller allowing for polyphonic pitch-bends and glissandos.

Production of the instrument ceased in 1980. Vying with the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 and Oberheim OB-X polysynths for the title, the CS-80 is often described as the pre-eminent polyphonic analog synthesizer, and, together with the monophonic Moog modular synthesizer, commands amongst the highest prices of any synthesizer.

 

Greek New Age composer Vangelis is arguably the most well known of the players of the Yamaha CS-80, having used it most memorably on the soundtracks of films Blade Runner and Chariots Of Fire. I decided to look up some clips of Vangelis music on YouTube, and came across this clip of Vangelis performing on a CS-80. Rumor is that he owned at least 4 Yamaha CS80 synthesisers.

 

 

 

He also played an ARP synthesiser and a Prophet 5 synthesiser.

 

 

 

And considering how influential of a musician Vangelis was, I'm surprised nobody has auctioned off any of his synthesisers. They could go for millions, I'm sure.

 

I also really liked the album Vangelis did with Yes singer Jon Anderson. I'll Find My Way Home was always a favorite song of mine.

 

 

[Finale]

Most well-known ? Probably. I would also add Eddie Jobson in the top ten CS-80 users list.

[timwat]

I think Stevie Wonder was the most well-known user of the CS80, IMHO.

 

I remember reading he loved his so much he wore out the ribbon controller (think of the bass on Lately).

[Moonglow]

I’m pretty sure Steve Winwood used one on his “Arc of a Diver” album. How extensively beyond that, not sure.

[KuruPrionz]

1 hour ago, timwat said:

I think Stevie Wonder was the most well-known user of the CS80, IMHO.

 

I remember reading he loved his so much he wore out the ribbon controller (think of the bass on Lately).

Stevie for the win!

[timwat]

Was just searching to make sure I wasn't mistaking his CS80 work for GX1. Some one on the web (and you know how accurate that is) says at one point Stevie had six CS80s in his stable, as he kept wearing out the ribbons.

[KuruPrionz]

Just now, timwat said:

Was just searching to make sure I wasn't mistaking his CS80 work for GX1. Some one on the web (and you know how accurate that is) says at one point Stevie had six CS80s in his stable, as he kept wearing out the ribbons.

Not in the same league at all but I remember reading the liner notes on Bloody Tourists by 10cc that they used a CS80 as well. 

 

I just bought the new Cherry Audio GX-80 yesterday. Haven't really used it, but the sound samples I've heard sound fantastic. I guess now everybody can own one!!!

[Justin Havu]

Toto had CS80's as well.

[Docbop]

Funny just a couple days ago I was watching an old DVD on the making of Stevie Wonder's  Songs In the Key of Life album.   They mentioned the CS80 and showed it briefly at Crystal Sound were Stevie worked a lot back then.      It was a cool DVD and for it they brought back Stevie's road band to talk about the sessions and hear some of the tape and they solo different parts.     

[CyberGene]

From the point of view of recognizing a CS80 in a recording, Vangelis is the most well known, since the poly-aftertouch driven brass swell he used is the most recognizable CS80 sound. Stevie Wonder didn’t use it in such a way. I didn’t even know he had one until today although I’ve listened to him much more than Vangelis. And I bet more people purchase the CS80 emulations to play Blade Runner rather than to play Wonder 😉

[jverghese]

Indeed, most big names used the CS-80 in the late '70s, including the guy in the Fame tv-series (whom I was super envious of), but Vangelis was one of the few who made full use of the special features like aftertouch and ring mod.

[Motif88]

Another vote for Eddie Jobson…if you haven’t listened to the premier U.K. album in a while, crank it up.

[Tusker]

Stevie, Eddie and Mr. V are all so awesome, they all win the contest! 👏

 

However for several reasons I buy the idea that Mr. V will be associated with the CS 80. First the CS80 was central to his output as a keyboardist. Second, he did synth driven instrumentals so, the CS was audibly front and center in more tunes. You would simply hear it more often in his music, since he didn’t play in a band or sing songs. Thirdly, he did film soundtracks which opened a broad customer pool for the sounds of the CS. Lastly, there are number of distinctives in his CS 80 usage including the ring mod, the fragile horn and those long pitch sweeps. Perhaps as a film musician he had greater occasion to dive into the architecture? His CS80 synth vocabulary is as uniquely personal as Tony Bank’s’ distinctive use of the Arp pro-soloist. 

 

None of this is arguing that Mr. V is a better musician than anybody else. It’s that his influence on this instrument is the most significant.

[Al Coda]

10 hours ago, Docbop said:

Funny just a couple days ago I was watching an old DVD on the making of Stevie Wonder's  Songs In the Key of Life album.   They mentioned the CS80 and showed it briefly at Crystal Sound were Stevie worked a lot back then.      It was a cool DVD and for it they brought back Stevie's road band to talk about the sessions and hear some of the tape and they solo different parts.     

 

In this documentary available on YT Songs in the Key of Life I don´t recognize any CS80.

It´s all about the Yamaha "Dream Machine" GX-1,- and AFAIK, this was what he used on the record.

 

 

A.C.

[Floyd Tatum]

Yes, that's right.  He used the GX-1, the predecessor of the CS80, on Songs in the Key of Life, in 1976.  If I remember correctly, the cs80 was based on the GX-1.

 

[Docbop]

1 hour ago, Al Coda said:

 

In this documentary available on YT Songs in the Key of Life I don´t recognize any CS80.

It´s all about the Yamaha "Dream Machine" GX-1,- and AFAIK, this was what he used on the record.

 

 

A.C.

Since I can't go back and edit the post or delete it I'll just say.... I got the Yamaha part right <grin> 

[Finale]

Indeed, it is common to see online sources apparently unable to distinguish between CS-80 and GX-1. ABBA's Benny Anderson also had a GX-1. There is just a little 400+ lbs difference between a GX-1 console and a CS-80. Hence why Yamaha used CS for Compact Synthesizer. After all, a CS-80 is only 220 lbs, about half the weight of a Hammond C3.

[Shamanzarek]

Paul McCartney might be a little more famous than the others mentioned. We get bombarded with his CS80 on "Wonderful Christmastime" about this time every year.

[NewImprov]

22 hours ago, K K said:

Most well-known ? Probably. I would also add Eddie Jobson in the top ten CS-80 users list.

I saw Jobson with Jethro Tull on the A tour, 1980-ish, and his rig was 2 CS 80's, and a Yamaha CP70 electric grand. When he did the show intro, entirely on the CS, it shook the room, completely blew my young impressionable mind!
 

Ignore the silly staged stuff, the concerts starts about 2 minutes in and is a great performance!

 

[o0Ampy0o]

The question could be taken two ways or more. Is it the most well known musician well known to have used a CS 80 or most famous for using a CS 80 period? By far more people recognize the name Stevie Wonder. Not as many know the name Vangelis. As for knowing either used a CS 80 I doubt that many people know either used one but Vangelis would be associated with it by musicians. That said, Toto may have gotten the most use out of one in their repertoire between these three.

 

EDIT: By most use in repertoire I mean in terms of exposure (i.e. hits) otherwise of course Vangelis used it in more material.

[Polkahero]

Intro to Mr. Crowley by Ozzy is a CS-80 pretty sure.  Yamaha has made some killer synths!

[Jon G]

J Geils "Come Back"
 

 

[Tusker]

14 hours ago, Shamanzarek said:

Paul McCartney might be a little more famous than the others mentioned. We get bombarded with his CS80 on "Wonderful Christmastime" about this time every year.

I think I hear the CS in “With a little luck” (a US #1 hit) although I am not sure.

[jeffincltnc]

Michael Jackson wins this title.  He played the 4-chord vamp on "Billie Jean" himself on his CS-80.

[miden]

it's also on pretty much everything ELO did as well!

[Outkaster]

Roy Bittan had one on tour in the BITUSA tour for a long time.

[Floyd Tatum]

On 11/27/2022 at 10:10 AM, K K said:

Indeed, it is common to see online sources apparently unable to distinguish between CS-80 and GX-1. ABBA's Benny Anderson also had a GX-1. There is just a little 400+ lbs difference between a GX-1 console and a CS-80. Hence why Yamaha used CS for Compact Synthesizer. After all, a CS-80 is only 220 lbs, about half the weight of a Hammond C3.

Aside from the GX-1's enormous girth and weight, I wonder how much the circuitry is the same, or similar between CS-80 and GX-1.  Anybody know?    UPDATE:  I just found Dave's Cherry Audio GX-80 thread, so I'm gonna go over there and find out...

[Floyd Tatum]

It's amusing to me how much the CS-80 looks like a giant accordian....

 

 

(PS:  I know I'm poking fun at it, but it's done with love.   I know how mighty this synth (and the GX-1) are.) 

 

[Finale]

Not sure about the circuitry common to the GX-1 and CS-80, but certain preset sounds are indeed quite close. I remember also my late favorite uncle who bought an Electone Yamaha organ decades ago. It had exactly the same type of colored buttons as on the GX-1 or CS-80 and some of them were strings and brass sounds, which back then was quite unusual compared to most home organs you could buy. I can't remember clearly as it's been such a long time, but even those particular Yamaha organs might have shared some of the electronics with the GX-1, which after all was more a gigantic home organ than a synth.

 

Oh and interesting idea about the CS-80 played as a accordion, except you would need Arnold Schwarzenegger or Dwayne Johnson muscles and even then they might get tired pretty quickly. 😃

[Floyd Tatum]

1 hour ago, K K said:

GX-1, which after all was more a gigantic home organ than a synth.

 

That's debatable - I mean, it did have that sound, right?   And the CS-80 was based on it, so....  I dunno.   It does look like a home organ, true.   But looks can be decieving, I mean the CS-80 looks like giant accordian, right?  😀

 

Quote

 Oh and interesting idea about the CS-80 played as a accordion, except you would need Arnold Schwarzenegger or Dwayne Johnson muscles and even then they might get tired pretty quickly. 😃

 

😄