The Buggles in relation to Yes?

[AngilasGuy]

Hey, I've always considered myself a big yes fan, I listen to them all the time, play thier songs on guitar and bass, got a vinyl collection, whole bunch.
But I never really dug much into their history, I don't really know everything about em.

But anyway, "Video Killed The Radio Star" is one of my favorite songs in general, and I read somewhere that members of The Buggles had some kind of connection to Yes (I'm guessing in the 80's). Could someone tell me what went on with them?
I figured I should ask here since if anyone would know, it would be the big-yes-trivia people.

[Earl Grey]

Hello Angilas!

Check-out the album, 'Drama'.

Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman had left the band, what's one to do?

The Buggles were on the same label as YES. They offered up a demo to the band, hoping for a cover, and through a suggestion by the record label they had in common, Trevor Horn/Geoff Downes wound-up in the band!

A fine album, 'DRAMA'.

'Machine Messiah': a YES epic, 'Tempus Fugit': In the pocket, as prog as prog could be...

...it 'aint 'Close To The Edge', but what is?

Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes pulled it off. Love it!

EG:yesbird:

[soundchaser77]

Hello Angilas!

Check-out the album, 'Drama'.

Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman had left the band, what's one to do?

The Buggles were on the same label as YES. They offered up a demo to the band, hoping for a cover, and through a suggestion by the record label they had in common, Trevor Horn/Geoff Downes wound-up in the band!

A fine album, 'DRAMA'.

'Machine Messiah': a YES epic, 'Tempus Fugit': In the pocket, as prog as prog could be...

...it 'aint 'Close To The Edge', but what is?

Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes pulled it off. Love it!

EG:yesbird:

And what an amazing lp/cd Drama is! Still 1 of my fav, yes lp/cds even tho Jons and Rick were not on it!

[Earl Grey]

Wouldn't it be great if Jon and Rick played some of the DRAMA material when the band reconvenes in 2006?

...2007 some say. Damn, that's too long without a Yesshow.

Here's to a new album, ...and a Yestour including DRAMAsongs, and 'On The Silent Wings Of Freedom' next year.

Think positive thoughts! ;)

eege:yesbird:

[soundchaser77]

And I hope they could do To be over and wouldnt it be great to see them at there age now pull off soundchaser? my dream but i'll keep dreaming that earl! :rightG:

[Earl Grey]

'To Be Over' would be my very next choice. Good call Soundchaser!

'Soundchaser' would be my next choice...

YES still has a lot of territory to revisit, and all those new Yessongs just waiting to be born.

eege:yesbird:

[BrianD]

AngilasGuy

Just to add to what has been said. The buggles were being managed by the Yes manager Brian Lane.

when Wakeman and Anderson left Yes in early 1980, Lane was instrumental in putting them in yes for the 1980 drama tour and album. It all broke up by early 1981.

[Ronboy]

Well why don't we just have a Yestour with them playing songs that they have never/not played for years. Now that would be something different as we never get to hear a lot of thier material during tours.

We live in hope!!

Ronboy.

By the way I too like Drama and often play the cd.

[Orbert]

Don't expect Drama to sound much like "Video Killed the Radio Star". It is definitely a version of Yes on that album, despite what some would say. The vocals and keyboards, obviously, will remind you of some Buggles material, but Trevor and Geoff do a great job of morphing into Yesmen for this effort, and really don't sound like The Buggles, even though it's them. If that makes any sense.

But definitely get Drama. It's an excellent album in its own right, and oddly enough, it's a great Yes album, and a great Buggles album, too!

[pedro skychaser]

a henry pottered history--trevor kissed tina charles,jammed with geoff+bruce woolley,got charmed by fishy,booed @ by uk fans,split with geoff to do 2nd buggles lp,"adventures in modern recording",a satire on life in yes(fish credited with sound effects-private joke?),became top producer,married jill sinclair,bought old island recording studios,live aid single recorded there,will produce next yes cd @ his mansion studio in countryside ala"ok computer"+will reunite with geoff to do concept album based on robots...phew...

[mcnpauls]

The Buggles joined Yes and contributed to one of the paramount masterpieces of the band's career, Drama.

I'd also check out their excellent debut album "The Age of Plastic". A song from "Drama" was reworked for the second Buggles album, but is not as good as the Yes version.

[cinderella]

A song from "Drama" was reworked for the second Buggles album, but is not as good as the Yes version.

Oh I think it's better.

From Wikipedia...

"I Am A Camera" is a New Wave song by The Buggles from 1981 of "Video Killed the Radio Star" fame, from their second album; Adventures in Modern Recording.

Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes started writing the song before joining up with Yes. A version of the song was released as "Into the Lens" on the Yes album, Drama. When Horn and Downes continued with the new Buggles album, the song was completed as 'I Am A Camera'.

[Bugeyes]

Yeggles, is what one of the classic five YES men, probably Wakeman, call it.

[Jonk]

Hello Angilas!

Check-out the album, 'Drama'.

Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman had left the band, what's one to do?

The Buggles were on the same label as YES. They offered up a demo to the band, hoping for a cover, and through a suggestion by the record label they had in common, Trevor Horn/Geoff Downes wound-up in the band!

A fine album, 'DRAMA'.

'Machine Messiah': a YES epic, 'Tempus Fugit': In the pocket, as prog as prog could be...

...it 'aint 'Close To The Edge', but what is?

Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes pulled it off. Love it!

EG:yesbird:
Actually they were on different labels, at least in the UK. Yes were on Atlantic and The Buggles were on Island. The connection was that Brian Lane managed yes and The Buggles.

Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes were big fans of yes and when they both met up with Chris Squire one day Chris jokingly asked if they could write Yes a hit single. Trevor and Geoff had We Can Fly From Here and offered it to Yes and then started routining the song with them.

Trevor thought it was funny that Jon and Rick weren't at the rehaearsals until Chris mentioned they had left and asked Trevor and Geoff to join.

They agreed but then Trevor groaned and said you do know that I will have to sing And You And I on stage at Madison Square Garden now. Chris just said Yeah you can do it though, and shortly after work began on Drama. A great Yes album even though Jon and Rick aren't on it and both Jon and Rick have said seperately in the past that Drama is a good album Jon even said he would be prepared to play a couple of tracks from the album, Machine Messiah and Tempus Fugit were the ones mentioned be nice if they did at least one of those (Preferably Machine Messiah) next year:headset:

[Roan's Lady]

Actually they were on different labels, at least in the UK. Yes were on Atlantic and The Buggles were on Island. The connection was that Brian Lane managed yes and The Buggles.

Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes were big fans of yes and when they both met up with Chris Squire one day Chris jokingly asked if they could write Yes a hit single. Trevor and Geoff had We Can Fly From Here and offered it to Yes and then started routining the song with them.

Trevor thought it was funny that Jon and Rick weren't at the rehaearsals until Chris mentioned they had left and asked Trevor and Geoff to join.

They agreed but then Trevor groaned and said you do know that I will have to sing And You And I on stage at Madison Square Garden now. Chris just said Yeah you can do it though, and shortly after work began on Drama. A great Yes album even though Jon and Rick aren't on it and both Jon and Rick have said seperately in the past that Drama is a good album Jon even said he would be prepared to play a couple of tracks from the album, Machine Messiah and Tempus Fugit were the ones mentioned be nice if they did at least one of those (Preferably Machine Messiah) next year:headset:

I think Drama is a fantastic album in its own right, and easily one of Yes' best. But honestly? I don't savor the idea of Jon singing MM or TF. His vocal style is too, hm... legato? (vocalists, help me out here) for good portions of these songs. Trevor Horn's "release" time is much quicker - this was evident on his version of AYAI (which I witnessed at the Garden) and likely the main reason I didn't care for it. He tends to chop off his words, whereas Jon draws them out, in quite a pleasing manner, especially in a song such as AYAI. I think Trevor's voice on his own material (including Drama) is excellent.

[CybrKhatru]

I remember.....my mom brought me home an import LP of "The Age Of Plastic" from her trip to England, in 1980. I played that album to death. A classic album of synth-pop!

[Jonah]

I honestly think that Drama was Yes's last great album. Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes brought to the party exactly what was required at that time, to get Yes back on track (no pun intended) after the hit and miss affair that was Tormato (which I love, but which was a dissapointment after the majesterial Going For The One).

While the Rabin era Yes produced song great songs, it did not produce a great album. A Horn / Downes Yes would have benefitted greatly from a second and third album - even if after that Rick and Jon rejoined. It would have kept some of the momentum that was lost, abeit not necessarily commercially, in the Rabin era.

It is a shame that they had to tour so soon after the release of the album. More space between the release and even a second album whould have put them in a much better position with the fans who switched off from the project.

[relayeire]

I honestly think that Drama was Yes's last great album. Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes brought to the party exactly what was required at that time, to get Yes back on track (no pun intended) after the hit and miss affair that was Tormato (which I love, but which was a dissapointment after the majesterial Going For The One).

While the Rabin era Yes produced song great songs, it did not produce a great album. A Horn / Downes Yes would have benefitted greatly from a second and third album - even if after that Rick and Jon rejoined. It would have kept some of the momentum that was lost, abeit not necessarily commercially, in the Rabin era.

It is a shame that they had to tour so soon after the release of the album. More space between the release and even a second album whould have put them in a much better position with the fans who switched off from the project.

amazing that Yes were missing a vocalist and keyboardist, and another group fit right into that slot, isn't it? the music was certainly solid, and I'd like to of (have, I mean... LOL) heard more from them... the issue is, they'd have to tour behind these albums... even the band has said Trev couldn't quite handled the vocal chores live... and while their live reception was mixed, UK fans were especially critical at their concerts... it would be an uphill climb all the way...

[Roan's Lady]

I honestly think that Drama was Yes's last great album. Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes brought to the party exactly what was required at that time, to get Yes back on track (no pun intended) after the hit and miss affair that was Tormato (which I love, but which was a dissapointment after the majesterial Going For The One).

While the Rabin era Yes produced song great songs, it did not produce a great album.

Agreed, agreed.

[Yes.2]

Viva Los Drama!
http://jubal.westnet.com/hyperdiscordia/sacred_heart_of_elvis.small.gif

[relayeire]

Viva Los Drama!
http://jubal.westnet.com/hyperdiscordia/sacred_heart_of_elvis.small.gif

thank you... thank you very much...

[mcnpauls]

I honestly think that Drama was Yes's last great album. Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes brought to the party exactly what was required at that time, to get Yes back on track (no pun intended) after the hit and miss affair that was Tormato (which I love, but which was a dissapointment after the majesterial Going For The One).

While the Rabin era Yes produced song great songs, it did not produce a great album. A Horn / Downes Yes would have benefitted greatly from a second and third album - even if after that Rick and Jon rejoined. It would have kept some of the momentum that was lost, abeit not necessarily commercially, in the Rabin era.

It is a shame that they had to tour so soon after the release of the album. More space between the release and even a second album whould have put them in a much better position with the fans who switched off from the project.

I am with you 100% here - the last great Yes album (and the last great prog album until Camel's Dust and Dreams) . Fans in the US were giving Trev a chance and he could have flourished, it was we Brits with our stupid mentality that fazed the man.

All that was required was a new approach to the songs: either play material that suited Horn more, or let him sing the classics in a lower register.

We Can Fly From Here and Go Through This could have evolved into excellent songs for a second album by the line-up.

[relayeire]

We Can Fly From Here and Go Through This could have evolved into excellent songs for a second album by the line-up.
:appl[1]: they were already halfway to a great second album...

[luvyesmusic]

The Buggles are something you have to enjoy in seclusion (unless you caught Asia). You don't want to be embarrassed. Me, I love the keyboards and the beat. "Yes", you usually have to enjoy alone most of the time (unfortunately) cause most people aren't interested no matter how much you shout out their praise. Watch some of the "Drama" videos. Steve was having some great fun and pleasure playing! It's a sheer joy to still watch Steve back then. Something different, something great. "Changes"

[luvyesmusic]

The Buggles are something you have to enjoy in seclusion (unless you caught Asia). You don't want to be embarrassed. Me, I love the keyboards and the beat. "Yes", you usually have to enjoy alone most of the time (unfortunately) cause most people aren't interested no matter how much you shout out their praise. Watch some of the "Drama" videos. Steve was having some great fun and pleasure playing! It's a sheer joy to still watch Steve back then. Something different, something great. "Changes" Didn't the Drama tours set records in New York?

[MirokuLuvstheGirls]

I honestly think that Drama was Yes's last great album. Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes brought to the party exactly what was required at that time, to get Yes back on track (no pun intended) after the hit and miss affair that was Tormato (which I love, but which was a dissapointment after the majesterial Going For The One).

It is a shame that they had to tour so soon after the release of the album. More space between the release and even a second album whould have put them in a much better position with the fans who switched off from the project.

I agree, I agree! "Drama" was the last great Yes album until Trevor Rabin left the band, of course. I've heard parts of it and I love what I've heard. Then again, when I heard "Tempus Fugit", I knew what was coming, and I was willing to give a track from this forgotten classic a chance, no matter what the critics said. (Poor Yes, it was bad enough that they suffered from criticism directed towards "Tales from Topographic Oceans", then they produce "Tormato", which, despite being in the Top 10, was also panned by some critics---I guess---, and then they produce a great album like "Drama", and then they get jumped on AGAIN during the tour in the UK)


I WOULD repsond to the OP's post, but, seeing as this is a thread from two years ago (I guess I should say thanks to the person who necrobumped this??? *Sigh*), and it doesn't seem that the OP replied to anybody, I highly doubt I'll get a response. :|

[cinderella]

I remember.....my mom brought me home an import LP of "The Age Of Plastic" from her trip to England, in 1980. I played that album to death. A classic album of synth-pop!

I took this photo about 18 years ago when Eric lost his tooth.
Didn't even notice the albums in the background till much later. :winknudge


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Cinderella528/Goodies/Toothless.jpg

[relayeire]

Didn't the Drama tours set records in New York?

the tickets were on sale months in advance... many people showed up expecting to see Jon and Rick, as they had the three previous years solid... since the album came out just days before the tour began, and there was no Internet, it's easy to understand how they might not know who was actually in the band...

[MirokuLuvstheGirls]

the tickets were on sale months in advance... many people showed up expecting to see Jon and Rick, as they had the three previous years solid... since the album came out just days before the tour began, and there was no Internet, it's easy to understand how they might not know who was actually in the band...

Eep...that must have been a nasty surprise for the fans...

[ASIAnSeasonedWitch]

Visit Trevor Horn Appreciation (http://www.yesfans.com/showthread.php?t=35337)[/URL][URL="http://www.yesfans.com/showthread.php?t=35337"]Society thread (http://www.yesfans.com/showthread.php?t=35337)
Trevor Horn forum (http://www.yesfans.com/forumdisplay.php?f=60)
and Drama forum (http://www.yesfans.com/forumdisplay.php?f=188)
Thanks!!

[robles]

Not a great fan of Trevor Horn as a vocal replacement for Anderson. He's plainly killing himself on the high notes. He's a brilliant producer though. If there's one good thing about 90125 it's that the production is absolutely superb.

Geoff Downes is kind of the reverse for me. I find his production sensibilities to go for way too much sound layering. GTR was just way too overblown in my opinion. But as a keyboardist, I actually prefer him to Wakeman. I often find Wakeman's solo lines to be too incomprehensible and just a bunch of fast notes. And his choice of sounds often doesn't appeal to me. Finally in Machine Messiah you get to hear some real synth throbbage. And well before I'd ever heard of Yes, the opening synth line for Asia's Only Time Will Tell took my head off.

[Orbert]

Other than actually preferring Downes to Wakeman, I agree with just about everything you've said. I love Trevor's voice and his work on Drama, but it was a mistake for anyone to think he could go on tour and sing in Jon's range, especially night after night. But he is a brilliant producer

I also agree that Geoff can be a much more tasteful player than Rick. Rick does tend to fall into the noodling, and some of his patches, especially lately, are just plain weak. I try to give him some benefit of the doubt and presume that after playing the same songs for 30 years or more, anything different will sound better. But while I'm perfectly happy hearing that same Moog patch or Hammond sound that made me fall in love with the piece in the first place, Rick has to be tired of hearing and playing the same thing every night. He pretty much has mess around with it. Geoff tends to deliver much more consistently in both soloing and patches, but I just haven't heard enough of his work to consider him over Rick in general.

[robles]

I was all ready to see the More Drama Tour a few years ago. Had my tickets and everything. As a synth player I was most looking forward to hearing Geoff Downes play. But then the terrorists hit the London Subway and resulting visa difficulties forced them to cancel.:frown: