L. Ron Hubbard Synth Musician

I recently read about how L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, had and cherished a Fairlight CMI. I didn't realize how much he appreciated music. Some links in via AH:

Ron The Music Maker
Synths
Fairlight


“Dear Sir Fairlight:
“Please have the engineer store on your floppy disc that we have now been properly introduced. I am very glad to make your acquaintance. You have very charming circuits and I am certain that we can co-vibrate to the astonishment and ecstasy of a vast audience. With all praise to your exulted frequencies, consider me your friend.”

L. Ron Hubbard

Yamaha FX1 and FX3

Yamaha FX3 image from Ron The Music Maker

After reading about L. Ron Hubbard's love for the Yamaha FX3 (picture below), I decided to do a bit of searching to find out more about it. Most sites refer to it as an organ that is entirely FM based. I found this Sound On Sound article on the Yamaha DX line of FM based synths. There is a caption section on the FX1 and it's smaller offshoots, the FX3, FX10 and FX20. FX3, pictured below a "smaller" offshoot? Dang. Apparently there is only one working FX1 in the UK. It originally sold for £36,000 in 1986.

Update via the comments:
"Concerning the FX1 Yamaha, I purchased one new in, I believe, 1986, in Florida. I think I paid over $30,000 plus a 7" Knabe grand piano trade-in. I was a professional, playing a B-3 for years. When I saw the FX1, like L. Ron Hubbard, I was intrigued by the new line of FX's by Yamaha. I used the FX1 for a year on the job. Although I loved playing the FX1, I missed the B-3 Hammond. I have continued playing the B-3 since 1988. When I moved from Florida, I was going to sell the FX1, but decided to bring it with me to Missouri. I have kept it, and it's two matching speakers in climate control to this day. Yep, I still have it. It's in great condition and it worked perfectly the last time I played it two years ago. The organ is so unique, I just couldn't sell or trade it. I called Yamaha, and they didn't even have one in their possesion. If you want to reach me, I will answer."

Contact info is in the comments.

I *Heart* Rob Hubbard

Thought this was funny. You can find the full post on the C64Music! blog.

From Wikipedia on Rob Hubbard:
"Rob Hubbard (born 1956?, Kingston upon Hull, England) is a music composer for several microcomputers of the 1980s, especially the Commodore 64. He was probably the first to push the SID soundchip to its limit, composing powerful and catchy tunes for many games of the time. Rob resents being confused with the unrelated L. Ron Hubbard."