Information about The Buggles
Buggles (the official version of the band name, used on their albums, singles, and publicity material, omits the prefix "The") were a New Wave band formed in 1977 consisting of Trevor Horn, born 1949 in Durham (bass guitar, guitar, percussion, and vocals), Geoff Downes, born 1952 in Stockport, Cheshire (percussion and keyboards) and Bruce Woolley.
The Buggles' sound was characterised by a deliberately synthetic quality in keeping with the technological subject matter of their songs. Two different stories are claimed for the origin of the band's name. Horn said he chose "Buggles" because "It was the most disgusting name I could think of at that time", but the booklet for the CD remaster of "The Age of Plastic" says that it arose out of a private joke between Horn and Downes and was actually a pun on "Beatles".
"Video Killed the Radio Star", released in late 1979, was the 444th number one in the UK charts, spending one week at the top and shooting Buggles to fame. At the time of the single's original release Buggles did not actually have an album's worth of material to record, and so they wrote most of the other tracks for their debut album The Age of Plastic (1980) while travelling around Europe promoting "Video Killed The Radio Star".
Being largely a studio creation, Buggles never toured as such. There were a couple of Top of the Pops appearances, and later some performances for promotional purposes in support of the second album, but the first live outing by the original duo came in a low-key appearance in 1998.[1] Later an appearance at a Prince's Trust concert celebrating Horn's career as a producer in 2004 was billed as the band's first-ever live appearance.[2]
The novelty value of the song led to the Buggles' being perceived as one-hit wonders (three subsequent singles also charted, although they were largely ignored by radio and did not perform well), but its success was sufficient to launch both members of the band onto successful careers. The video for the song, directed by Russell Mulcahy, was the first video aired on MTV two years later, at midnight on the 1st of August 1981. By this time, the Camera Club had released their version of the song.
As with other songs from The Age of Plastic album, the songs were shortened in their music video versions and "Video Killed the Radio Star" lost the long instrumental coda found on the album. This also applied to their follow-up album, Adventures in Modern Recording — all of their videos were shortened from the length of their original recordings.
The fruit of their labours was the album Drama (1980, UK #2, US #18). A track called "Into the Lens" was released in its full eight and a half minute form, on a limited-edition one-sided 12-inch single. Essentially it was an unfinished Buggles song originally titled "I am a Camera," re-worked and completed by Yes. "We Can Fly From Here" did not in fact appear on Drama, but the band did perform the song on the Drama tour, and a 1980 performance can be heard on Yes' The Word Is Live CD set (2005), along with another unreleased Yes track from that era, "Go Through This." As a point of interest, another track from Drama, the somewhat brief "White Car," was extended in live performance to incorporate sections of "Video Killed the Radio Star," much to fans' amusement.
On the whole, the team-up of Yes and Buggles was well received by fans both on record (the UK chart position for Drama is testament to that), and on stage. Trevor Horn was the first to admit that he did not have Jon Anderson's vocal range or style, and many fans missed this, but most were still keen to give the new-look Yes a chance. The critics, however, were far less forgiving, especially in the United Kingdom, and poured scorn on the band. Yes officially disbanded, although temporarily, in early 1981, shortly after the Drama tour came to an end.
In late 2006, Trevor Horn formed a new band, The Producers with other musicians and producers. At live performances, they mainly perform songs from each of the band members' pasts, however, they have played some original material, which shall appear on their upcoming debut album entitled 'Studio 1' - due for release in September, 2007. At their first gig in Camden Town, November 2006, a clip can be seen on the official website of ZTT Records[3] of Trevor singing lead vocals and playing bass on a performance of Video Killed The Radio Star.
Horn's current band, The Producers, have covered Video Killed The Radio Star at all of their performances so far. A clip of one of these performances at Camden Town can be seen on the website for ZTT Records[5].
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Early days
Horn and Downes first met in the mid 1970s while members of the backing band of British singer Tina Charles of "I Love to Love" fame, though they did not actually play on that record. After this stint they briefly went their separate ways, Horn playing bass guitar in the house band at Hammersmith Odeon for a while, where he met Bruce Woolley. During this period Horn yearned to become a record producer, but was frustrated by not being able to find ideal songs or artists to work with. As a result he reunited with Geoff Downes, and the trio of Horn, Downes, and Woolley began writing their own songs to record themselves as a studio band.The Buggles' sound was characterised by a deliberately synthetic quality in keeping with the technological subject matter of their songs. Two different stories are claimed for the origin of the band's name. Horn said he chose "Buggles" because "It was the most disgusting name I could think of at that time", but the booklet for the CD remaster of "The Age of Plastic" says that it arose out of a private joke between Horn and Downes and was actually a pun on "Beatles".
Video Killed the Radio Star
Their first song was "Video Killed the Radio Star," and in the summer of 1979 a demo recording was submitted to Island Records, who signed them immediately. This demo featured vocals by Tina Charles, who incidentally helped fund the project. Although the song was chiefly a Bruce Woolley composition, he left shortly before its release to form a new band, the Camera Club, which included Thomas Dolby and Hans Zimmer. The Camera Club also released a version of the song. Three months after the demo was sent to Island, "Video Killed the Radio Star" was at number one. The female vocalists on the "proper" recording were Debi Doss and Linda Jardim, now known as Linda Allan."Video Killed the Radio Star", released in late 1979, was the 444th number one in the UK charts, spending one week at the top and shooting Buggles to fame. At the time of the single's original release Buggles did not actually have an album's worth of material to record, and so they wrote most of the other tracks for their debut album The Age of Plastic (1980) while travelling around Europe promoting "Video Killed The Radio Star".
Being largely a studio creation, Buggles never toured as such. There were a couple of Top of the Pops appearances, and later some performances for promotional purposes in support of the second album, but the first live outing by the original duo came in a low-key appearance in 1998.[1] Later an appearance at a Prince's Trust concert celebrating Horn's career as a producer in 2004 was billed as the band's first-ever live appearance.[2]
The novelty value of the song led to the Buggles' being perceived as one-hit wonders (three subsequent singles also charted, although they were largely ignored by radio and did not perform well), but its success was sufficient to launch both members of the band onto successful careers. The video for the song, directed by Russell Mulcahy, was the first video aired on MTV two years later, at midnight on the 1st of August 1981. By this time, the Camera Club had released their version of the song.
As with other songs from The Age of Plastic album, the songs were shortened in their music video versions and "Video Killed the Radio Star" lost the long instrumental coda found on the album. This also applied to their follow-up album, Adventures in Modern Recording — all of their videos were shortened from the length of their original recordings.
Merger with Yes
Later in 1980, Horn and Downes began work on a second album, working in a studio next door to progressive rock band Yes, who had recently lost vocalist Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Both Buggles, and Horn in particular, had been long-standing fans of Yes, but felt that the quality of their recent music had been slipping. The Buggles offered a song to Yes, "We Can Fly from Here", but at the suggestion of Brian Lane, manager of both bands, Yes' bassist Chris Squire invited them to actually replace Anderson and Wakeman as fully fledged members of Yes. This they did, in one of rock music's more surprising shifts of personnel.The fruit of their labours was the album Drama (1980, UK #2, US #18). A track called "Into the Lens" was released in its full eight and a half minute form, on a limited-edition one-sided 12-inch single. Essentially it was an unfinished Buggles song originally titled "I am a Camera," re-worked and completed by Yes. "We Can Fly From Here" did not in fact appear on Drama, but the band did perform the song on the Drama tour, and a 1980 performance can be heard on Yes' The Word Is Live CD set (2005), along with another unreleased Yes track from that era, "Go Through This." As a point of interest, another track from Drama, the somewhat brief "White Car," was extended in live performance to incorporate sections of "Video Killed the Radio Star," much to fans' amusement.
On the whole, the team-up of Yes and Buggles was well received by fans both on record (the UK chart position for Drama is testament to that), and on stage. Trevor Horn was the first to admit that he did not have Jon Anderson's vocal range or style, and many fans missed this, but most were still keen to give the new-look Yes a chance. The critics, however, were far less forgiving, especially in the United Kingdom, and poured scorn on the band. Yes officially disbanded, although temporarily, in early 1981, shortly after the Drama tour came to an end.
Downes after The Buggles
With the break-up of Yes, Geoff Downes, Chris Squire and drummer Alan White initially embarked on a project with former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, ostensibly to be called XYZ (ex-Yes and Zeppelin), but when ex-Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant declined an invitation to come on board the project floundered. As a result Downes reunited with Trevor Horn to resume work on the second Buggles album. However, he left shortly afterwards, citing musical differences, going on to join his former Yes bandmate Steve Howe in "supergroup" Asia, together with John Wetton (ex-King Crimson), and Carl Palmer (ex-Emerson, Lake & Palmer). There he remains to this day, the only member of Asia to have been in the band continually since its beginnings. He has still found time for other projects though, the most notable being a double album (single CD) which he issued in 1986 under the name New Dance Orchestra, titled The Light Programme.Horn after The Buggles
Horn continued to work on the second Buggles album, Adventures in Modern Recording, with several new players, the most prominent being Simon Darlow. The album included "I am a Camera," brought to completion as a Buggles song as originally intended, and under its original title. Adventures in Modern Recording did not chart, nor did four singles released from it—the title track, "I am a Camera", "On TV", and lastly "Lenny." Shortly afterwards Trevor Horn brought the Buggles to an end, and finally embarked on his new career as a record producer, achieving enormous success, with bands like ABC, Dollar, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Art of Noise, and even a re-formed Yes, with Jon Anderson back on vocals. In 1985, Horn won the Best Producer BRIT Award. More than twenty years on, he is still active, still producing, with Simple Minds, t.A.T.u., Charlotte Church, Captain and most recently Pet Shop Boys among his many credits.In late 2006, Trevor Horn formed a new band, The Producers with other musicians and producers. At live performances, they mainly perform songs from each of the band members' pasts, however, they have played some original material, which shall appear on their upcoming debut album entitled 'Studio 1' - due for release in September, 2007. At their first gig in Camden Town, November 2006, a clip can be seen on the official website of ZTT Records[3] of Trevor singing lead vocals and playing bass on a performance of Video Killed The Radio Star.
In the 21st Century
In June 2005, Geoff Downes faintly hinted on his blog at an arrangement with Trevor Horn for a new Buggles album to coincide with MTV's 25th birthday, although the blog hasn't been updated for a while.[4] With the expected worldwide re-release of Adventures in Modern Recording by Horn's own ZTT Records however, there is still a sign of Buggles activity.Horn's current band, The Producers, have covered Video Killed The Radio Star at all of their performances so far. A clip of one of these performances at Camden Town can be seen on the website for ZTT Records[5].
Discography
Singles
- Video Killed the Radio Star (1979) UK #1
- Living in the Plastic Age (1980) UK #16
- Clean Clean (1980) UK #38
- Elstree (1980) UK #55
- Adventures In Modern Recording (1981) (did not chart)
- I Am A Camera (1981) (did not chart)
- On TV (1981) (did not chart)
- Lenny (1981) (did not chart)
Albums
- The Age of Plastic (1980) UK #27
- Adventures In Modern Recording (1981) (did not chart)
Videos
- Video Killed the Radio Star
- Living in the Plastic Age
- Clean Clean
- Elstree
- Adventures in Modern Recording
- I Am a Camera
References
- Guinness Book of British Hit Singles 7th Edition - 1988
- Guinness Book of British Hit Albums 1st Edition - 1982
External links
New Wave was a rock music and pop genre and movement that existed during the late 1970s and the early-to-mid 1980s. In those days, many music groups were inspired by punk rock and used elements of other genres, such as electronic music, reggae, and ska.
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Trevor Charles Horn (born 15 July 1949 in Durham, England) is an English pop music record producer, songwriter and musician. Horn has produced commercially successful songs and albums for numerous British and international artists.
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The electric bass guitar (or "electric bass") is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping, popping or using a pick. The bass is typically similar in appearance and construction to an electric guitar, but with a larger body, a longer neck and scale
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The guitar is a musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles. It typically has six strings, but four, seven, eight, ten, and twelve string guitars also exist.
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percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound by being hit with an implement, shaken, rubbed, scraped, or by any other action which sets the object into vibration. The term usually applies to an object used in a rhythmic context and/or with musical intent.
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A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. Often the singer is accompanied by musicians and instruments. While many people sing for pleasure, vocal skill is usually a combination of innate talent and professional training.
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Geoffrey Downes (born August 25, 1952 in Stockport, Cheshire, England) is a rock keyboard player/songwriter/producer. He is best known as the keyboardist for the band Asia, the Buggles, and also his stint with Yes in 1980.
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Stockport
Population 136,082 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference
Metropolitan borough Stockport
Metropolitan county Greater Manchester
Region North West
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Population 136,082 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference
Metropolitan borough Stockport
Metropolitan county Greater Manchester
Region North West
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prevew not available
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percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound by being hit with an implement, shaken, rubbed, scraped, or by any other action which sets the object into vibration. The term usually applies to an object used in a rhythmic context and/or with musical intent.
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keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano, which is used in nearly all forms of western music. Other widely used keyboard instruments include various types of organs as well as other mechanical,
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Bruce Woolley is a British performer/songwriter/producer. He initially worked with Trevor Horn and Geoffrey Downes as a writing team. Bruce Woolley co-wrote "Hand Held In Black and White" and "Mirror Mirror" for Dollar in 1982.[https://www.harryfox.com/public/songfile.
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Centuries: 19th century - 20th century - 21st century
1940s 1950s 1960s - 1970s - 1980s 1990s 2000s
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
- -
- The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called
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1940s 1950s 1960s - 1970s - 1980s 1990s 2000s
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
- -
- The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called
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Motto
"Dieu et mon droit" [2] (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
"God Save the Queen" [3]
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"Dieu et mon droit" [2] (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
"God Save the Queen" [3]
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Tina Charles (born Tina Hoskins, 10 March 1954, Whitechapel, London) is an English singer, who achieved success as a disco artist in the mid to late 1970s.
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Career
Charles began her career as a backing singer and session musician, and recorded her first solo single in 1969..... Click the link for more information.
Location(s) Hammersmith and Fulham, London
Years active 1932 — present
Capacity 5,039 (standing)
3,632 (sitting)
Owner MAMA Group
Website www.carling.
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Years active 1932 — present
Capacity 5,039 (standing)
3,632 (sitting)
Owner MAMA Group
Website www.carling.
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Released September, 1979
Format 7" single
Recorded 1979
Genre New Wave
Length 4:13
Label Island
Writer(s) Geoff Downes, Trevor Horn and Bruce Woolley
Producer(s) Trevor Horn
Peak chart positions
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Format 7" single
Recorded 1979
Genre New Wave
Length 4:13
Label Island
Writer(s) Geoff Downes, Trevor Horn and Bruce Woolley
Producer(s) Trevor Horn
Peak chart positions
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Island Records is a record label that was founded by British record producers in Jamaica. It was based in England for many years, but is now owned by Universal Music Group of the United States, and is operated through The Island Def Jam Music Group.
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Tina Charles (born Tina Hoskins, 10 March 1954, Whitechapel, London) is an English singer, who achieved success as a disco artist in the mid to late 1970s.
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Career
Charles began her career as a backing singer and session musician, and recorded her first solo single in 1969..... Click the link for more information.
Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson, on 14 October 1958) is an English musician, producer, and inventor.
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Life and career
Thomas was born in London. His father, Martin Robertson, was an internationally-distinguished professor of classical Greek art and..... Click the link for more information.
Hans Florian Zimmer (born September 12, 1957) is an Academy Award, Grammy, and Golden Globe award-winning film score composer from Germany.
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Biography
Born in Frankfurt am Main, Zimmer began his musical career playing keyboards and synthesizers with, among others, the bands..... Click the link for more information.
Debi Doss is an American-born photographer and singer.
Doss attended Webster University in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri in the United States, where she became interested in photography.
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Doss attended Webster University in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri in the United States, where she became interested in photography.
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celebrity is a widely-recognized or famous person who commands a high degree of public and media attention. The word stems from the Latin verb "celebrere" but they may not become a celebrity unless public and mass media interest is peaked.
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The Age Of Plastic
(1980) Adventures in Modern Recording
(1981)
The Age of Plastic (1980) was the first album released by synthpop group The Buggles, which consisted of Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes.
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(1980) Adventures in Modern Recording
(1981)
The Age of Plastic (1980) was the first album released by synthpop group The Buggles, which consisted of Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes.
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one-hit wonder is an artist generally known for only one hit single.
The hits of many one-hit wonders are novelty songs that are, to an extent, deliberately short-lived, recorded for humor or to cash in on a fad.
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The hits of many one-hit wonders are novelty songs that are, to an extent, deliberately short-lived, recorded for humor or to cash in on a fad.
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A music video is a short film or video that accompanies a complete piece of music, most commonly a song. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings.
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Russell Mulcahy (born June 23, 1953 born in Melbourne, Victoria) is an Australian film director.
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Music videos
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Availability
Satellite
DirecTV Channel 331
Dish Network Channel 160
Cable
Available on many cable systems Check local listings for channels
MTV (Music Television) is an American cable television network based in New York City.
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Satellite
DirecTV Channel 331
Dish Network Channel 160
Cable
Available on many cable systems Check local listings for channels
MTV (Music Television) is an American cable television network based in New York City.
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August 1 is the 1st day of the year (2nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 0 days remaining.
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Events
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