Few artists have had more impact on British music than Trevor Horn. A record label boss and musician, a multi-million-selling producer and songwriter, he’s been the winner of multiple BRITs, Grammys, Ivor Novello Awards and the recipient of a CBE. It’s fair to say Trevor’s led a truly extraordinary career. We sat down with ‘the man who invented the 1980s’ to find out more.
Where did your love of music begin?
“My father, John, was a professional musician, playing double bass in the Joe Clarke Big Band. I was so inspired I took up the double bass aged eight and by my early teens filled in for my dad when he was running late! At 14 I formed my first band, graduating to electric guitar. Then, at 17, I woke my mum and dad at 4am to tell them I’d decided to become a professional musician. They were hoping I’d become an accountant!”
What would you say was your breakthrough moment?
“The end of the Seventies with Video Killed the Radio Star. Advance word was going crazy to the extent it took us to the top of the Music Week chart – and the record wasn’t even out! When it was released, it went in at 57 on 9 September 1979, rising to number 24 the following week, number six the week after, number two on 13 October and number one the week after that. It ended up going to number one in 16 countries, selling around 12 million. It was insane.”
Where did you go from there?
“I joined Yes, replacing former singer, Jon Anderson. I lasted one tour, before marrying Jill [Sinclair], the woman who changed my life. She was a music executive and became my manager, telling me I could become the best producer in the world.”
What happened next?
“I produced singles by pop duo Dollar, and was asked to produce the debut album by ABC, The Lexicon of Love, which earned me my first BRIT as well as a visit from David Bowie! He sent over a note asking if he could hang out at a session. It was the first time I’d ever met him, and although I knew his eyes were different colours, it struck me seeing him up close. He really did look like a visitor from another planet.”
And then came Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Why do you think Relax got banned when it was released?
“To be honest, I could see why Radio One DJ Mike Read ‘banned it’ because I was shocked when I saw the artwork. They say that the Mike ban ‘made’ Relax, but it was the Top of the Pops performance that did. The ban certainly didn’t do it any harm – it made sure of the song’s notoriety – but it you ask me it wasn’t the deciding factor.”
Who else did you go on to work with?
“I relocated to Bel Air and worked with Simple Minds, Grace Jones, Pet Shop Boys, Paul McCartney and Rod Stewart. Then in 1990 I produced the debut album by Seal which reached number one, while his lead single, Crazy, went to number two.”
How did that make you feel?
“I had my record – at last, which spent 15 weeks on the chart. The subsequent album was a smash, and I’ve made several albums with Seal since. He remains my favourite artist to work with. That year I won Best British Producer for the third time, and Seal won Best Male Vocal and Best Album at the BRITs. From there I went on to work with yet more stars like Tina Turner, Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. The Prince’s Trust even held a concert at Wembley Arena to celebrate my 25th anniversary as a record producer. It was a truly humbling moment.”
What’s next?
“I’ve written my memoir, Adventures in Modern Recording, and am set to go on tour. I’m playing at a handful of UK theatres and will chat about some of the remarkable artists I’ve worked with, as well as reflecting on a career that – as my lovely late wife once suggested – made me the best producer in the world.”
Trevor Horn’s tour runs from 3 October to 12 November. For tickets visit www.awaywithmedia.com
