Trevor Horn

by Jason Ankeny
One of the most commercially successful producers of the 1980s, Trevor Horn popularized a signature modernist sound notable for its early use of samplers. Born July 15, 1949 in Hertfordshire, England, his father was a double bass player in a local orchestra; Horn soon picked up the bass himself, and as a teen played in a variety of area bands. His first professional work was in the backing band for disco singer Tina Charles, which was where he met keyboardist Geoff Downes. In 1979, after originally forming the group Camera Club with Thomas Dolby, Horn and Downes split to found the Buggles, which in 1980 scored a major hit with the prophetic Video Killed the Radio Star. After producing Yes Tormato, both Horn and Downes joined the venerable prog-rock band as full members. When Yes disbanded in 1981, Downes joined Asia, at which time Horn moved into production. In 1983 he helmed Yes comeback effort 90125, and a short time later founded his own label, ZTT, in the years to come producing material for artists as diverse as ABC, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Grace Jones, Tom Jones, Barry Manilow, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, Rod Stewart and Tina Turner. Horn also co-founded the band Art of Noise, and produced Band Aids all-star charity single Do They Know Its Christmas.