Trevor Horn

About

Trevor Horn was a British record producer and musician whose revolutionary approach to pop and electronic music earned him the epithet "the man who invented the eighties." Born in 1949, Horn gained initial fame in 1979 as a member of the Buggles, the group behind the iconic hit "Video Killed the Radio Star." He briefly joined the progressive rock band Yes in 1980 as their lead singer, contributing to the album Drama before transitioning to full-time production work in 1981. Horn passed away in 2024. His career trajectory from performer to visionary studio architect would reshape the sound of popular music for decades to come.

Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Horn's production credits read like a who's who of electronic and pop music's most influential acts. He helmed landmark albums for Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones, and ABC, while also producing Yes's critically acclaimed 90125 in 1983. His work extended into the 1990s and 2000s with continued success, including production work on Yes's Big Generator and later efforts like Fly from Here. Horn's meticulous studio craftsmanship and innovative sonic sensibilities left an indelible mark on popular music, shaping the sound and aesthetic of an entire era while establishing the template for modern pop production.