Nine Eight Book bags memoir by ‘the man who invented the Eighties’ Trevor Horn

Nine Eight Books has acquired Adventures in Modern Recording: From ABC to ZTT by Trevor Horn, a producer, songwriter, musician and record label boss dubbed "the man who invented the Eighties" by the publisher.

Pete Selby, publishing director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Andrew Gordon at David Higham Associates for publication in October 2022.

The synopsis reads: “Adventures in Modern Recording is the definitive memoir of Trevor Horn, the man who invented the ’80s. Notoriously private, Trevor gives exclusive insight for the first time into his life, work and career. His production work since the glory days of ZTT represents a veritable ’who’s who’ of intelligent modern pop, including the likes of ABC, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Pet Shop Boys, Seal, Simple Minds, Grace Jones and Mike Oldfield — among many others.

“This book will be Trevor’s story in his own words, as told through the prism of 23 of his most important songs — from the ones that inspired him to the ones that defined him.

“This play-by-play memoir transports readers into the heart of the studio to witness the making of some of music’s most memorable moments, from Buggles’ ground-breaking ’Video Killed the Radio Star’ to Band Aid’s perennial ’Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, via hits such as ’Relax’, ’Poison Arrow’, ’Owner of a Lonely Heart’ and ’Crazy’.

“Offering unrivalled access to the dark arts of the producer’s world and the even darker arts of the music business itself, prepare for some adventures in modern recording.”

Selby said: “From Buggles to ABC, The Pet Shop Boys to Frankie, Trevor Horn is the maximalist architect of some of the greatest records of all time. This candid autobiography allows us a peak behind the recording studio door as Trevor explores the songs that have defined his remarkable life. Far too modest to sing his own praises, I’ll eulogise on his behalf; Trevor Horn is a genius and Adventures In Modern Recording gives you a good idea why."