Trevor Horn

Trevor Charles Horn (born 15 July 1949) is an English record producer and musician. His influence on pop and electronic music in the 1980s was such that he has been called "the man who invented the eighties". Horn took up the bass guitar at an early age and taught himself to sight-read music. In the 1970s, he worked as a session musician, built his own studio, and wrote and produced singles for various artists. Horn gained fame in 1979 as a member of the Buggles, who achieved a hit single with "Video Killed the Radio Star". In 1980, he joined the progressive rock band Yes as their lead singer for one album and tour. In 1981, Horn became a full-time producer, working on successful songs and albums for acts including Dollar, ABC, Malcolm McLaren, Yes, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Grace Jones, and Pet Shop Boys. In 1983, Horn and his wife, the music executive Jill Sinclair, purchased Sarm West Studios, London, and formed a record label, ZTT Records, with the journalist Paul Morley. Horn also co-formed the electronic group Art of Noise. He produced further hits in the 1990s and 2000s for Seal, LeAnn Rimes, and t.A.T.u., and produced the 1992 Mike Oldfield album Tubular Bells II and the 2003 Belle and Sebastian album Dear Catastrophe Waitress. He has performed with the Trevor Horn Band since 2006. Horn's awards include Brit Awards for Best British Producer in 1983, 1985, and 1992, a 1995 Grammy Award for Seal's song "Kiss from a Rose", and a 2010 Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.