Lowrey four-channel Symphonic Electronic Organ Model TGS, by Lowrey, Illinois, USA, c. 1974-76

Lowrey electronic organs were originally made by and named after their developer, Frederick Lowrey, a Chicago-based industrialist and entrepreneur, with the organs constructed in Lowrey’s home state of Illinois. During the 1960s and 1970s, Lowrey was the largest manufacturer of electronic organs in the world and this example (also known as a Lowrey Symphonic Holiday organ) is one of their later examples.

Organ made in mid-1970s with electronic and plastic components and wooden body. With wooden stool.

Between the 1940s and the 1970s, self-contained electronic home organs made by various manufacturers were a popular form of home entertainment. This Lowrey four-channel Symphonic Electronic Organ Model TGS (also known as a Lowrey Symphonic Holiday organ) was made by Lowrey, named after the developer, Frederick Lowrey, a Chicago-based industrialist and entrepreneur with the organs constructed in Lowrey’s home state of Illinois. With Lowrey being the largest manufacturer of electronic organs in the world in the 1960s and 1970s, Lowrey domestic electronic organs such as this were a common sight in many homes around the world including the US.

The Lowrey Symphonic Holiday organ is one of the later examples of this popular form of entertainment including various automated features which made it easier to play complete, layered “one-man band” arrangements, especially for people who had not trained as organists. The Lowrey line of home organs is considered the epitome of this type of instrument and retains some popularity today although few instruments are sold today with portable keyboards taking the place of electronic organs in the family home.