“The bassist’s kids were waiting with autograph books because we were pop stars. But some of the fans were pissed off. I would have been too!” This duo were never meant to be a real band, but their hit single had a massive impact on prog

Buggles retro shot with Trevor Horn in big glasses.

Best known for 1980 global pop hit Video Killed The Radio Star, Buggles – Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn – had always been prog fans. When their acclaim led to an invitation to join Yes, they jumped at it, and the prog world was changed beyond recognition. After receiving the Outer Limits Award at the 2016 Prog Awards, the duo discussed how much of the genre had always been in their work.

Buggles were the result of a science experiment designed to fuse prog at its most complex and cerebral with pop at its most artful and intelligent. No wonder the duo of Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn went on to join Yes for their 1980 album Drama and the subsequent tour, while Horn would produce 1983’s 90125 and 1987’s Big Generator. It’s hardly surprising, either, that 10cc’s 1974 album Sheet Music is one of Horn’s favourites, and that 10cc guitarist and songwriter Lol Creme remains a close associate.