PPG Wave

James Brady was front and center during the MIDI boom, working within the keyboard department at Rushworth’s Music House in Liverpool. The year was 1986 and the synthesizer was at its peak in popularity. As a musician, who was already using electric keyboards and analog synths to create his own music, James was the perfect person to help the famous music store’s clients. It was a very exciting time, but challenging. James recalls working hard to stay on top of the every advancing technology so he could be as helpful as possible to his customers. He also recalls the day the first s

Rupert Greenall has been the masterful synthesist for the new wave band The Fixx since its formation in 1979. His boundless creativity and relentless passion for the latest electronic instruments have cemented his reputation as one of popular music’s most distinctive and innovative keyboardists. Throughout his remarkable career, Rupert has collaborated with a variety of acclaimed bands and artists, yet it wasn’t until his performance at NAMM’s Museum of Making Music in 2025 that he stepped onto the stage as a soloist. The experience proved deeply rewarding, helping him emerge from

Lol Tolhurst formed a rock band with some friends in high school that went on to revitalize and define music in the 1980s. The Cure enjoyed wide success with millions of albums sold, live performances around the world, and was among the first acts to chart hit records before alternative rock became mainstream. Lol began playing drums for the band before switching to keyboards in the early 80s. He left the band right before the band’s Disintegration album was recorded in 1989 but returned for several tours and another album, Galore, in 1997.

Paul Wiffen was on tour with Michael Jackson in England when word spread that Princess Diana might attend the show. Concerned about offending her, Michael asked Paul to inform the crew that they would be skipping “Dirty Diana,” one of his biggest hits at the time. But just before the performance, the Princess mentioned that she was excited to hear the song—one of her favorites. At the very last moment, the band pivoted, reinstating “Dirty Diana” into the setlist.