Hans Zimmer’s Weirdest Project Quietly Changed TV History

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Hans Zimmer is one of the most famous film composers of all time. The celebrated German musician has created memorable scores for blockbuster movies like The Lion King, The Dark Knight Rises, and Interstellar, solidifying his legacy as a leading composer of our time.

I’ve been a fan of Hans Zimmer for years, and it’s amazing to think about how his career started! While most people know him now for his incredible film scores – he really hit the scene in the late 80s – his early work is fascinating. Did you know back in 1979, he actually played a part in the music video for The Buggles? They were a relatively unknown band at the time, but it’s wild to think he was involved in something so iconic so early on!

Hans Zimmer Appeared in the Music Video for “Video Killed the Radio Star” in 1979

Around the mid-to-late 1970s, a new musical style called New Wave emerged in the U.K. It moved beyond the raw energy of punk towards a more polished sound, featuring memorable melodies, synthesizers, and broader appeal. Many popular songs came out of this movement, and artists like Soft Cell, Blondie, and The Police achieved international success with hit singles from the late 70s and early 80s.

I’ve always been fascinated by one-hit wonders, and The Buggles definitely fit the bill. They were this New Wave band from England – Trevor Horn on bass and vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards, and Bruce Woolley writing songs – who formed back in 1977. They didn’t quite reach the level of fame as some of the bigger bands of the era, but they still made a real impact. Most people remember them for their 1979 debut single, “Video Killed the Radio Star,” which actually topped the charts in the U.K. by the end of that year. It’s a song that really captured the zeitgeist, and it’s stuck with me ever since.

As much as people loved ‘Video Killed the Radio Star,’ it didn’t really hit home until I saw it on MTV’s very first broadcast – August 1st, 1981. They famously launched the channel with The Buggles’ music video for the song, and honestly, it was perfect timing. Thinking about what the song was about – the shift from radio to visuals – it was incredibly fitting. That moment really did feel like the beginning of the end for radio’s reign as the main way we listened to music. It was a cultural turning point, and I remember feeling it even then!

As a huge fan of “Video Killed the Radio Star,” I always thought I knew everything about it. But did you know there’s a hidden gem in that iconic video? If you look closely, you can spot a very young Hans Zimmer – he was only 22 at the time! He’s playing the keyboard, rocking a black jacket, even though he wasn’t actually part of the band. It’s a fun little detail that most people probably miss!

Hans Zimmer’s brief appearance in The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” came about because he knew Trevor Horn, who had worked with Zimmer when Zimmer was starting out as a keyboard player. When The Buggles needed someone to appear in the video, Horn asked Zimmer to fill the role, and Zimmer agreed to play the keyboard, even though it felt a little strange. Two years later, the video was chosen as the very first one to be shown on MTV, unexpectedly giving Zimmer his initial taste of worldwide fame – a fame that would come to define his successful career.

MTV’s Use of “Video Killed the Radio Star” Set the Stage for Hans Zimmer’s Legendary Career

As a huge movie fan, I think it’s safe to say Hans Zimmer is the biggest name in film scoring right now. He’s still pumping out incredible soundtracks – seriously, from epic stuff like Interstellar to even something totally unexpected like The SpongeBob Movie (2020), you can’t escape his work! That’s why it’s so cool to learn he was involved in what many consider one of the most important TV broadcasts ever.

Although Hans Zimmer became widely known for his work on Rain Man, which earned him his first Oscar nomination, the music video for “Video Killed the Radio Star” was actually his first chance to blend music with visual storytelling.

In a 2018 interview with The Guardian, Hans Zimmer recalled working on The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” in 1979. He realized during filming that he enjoyed blending music and visuals, and felt it was the direction he wanted to take his career.

As a huge music fan, I’ve always loved “Video Killed the Radio Star,” and it’s amazing to think about how much of an impact it had when MTV first launched. But learning that the music video – which only cost $50,000 to make – actually inspired a legendary film composer? That really cemented its place in history for me. It’s not just a great song; it’s a key piece of the puzzle when you look at how music, TV, and movies all evolved!

Since appearing in the music video “Video Killed the Radio Star” years ago, Hans Zimmer has mostly stayed behind the scenes, which isn’t unexpected considering he’s a composer, not a performer. Fortunately, his incredible work as a creator has easily secured his legacy in Hollywood.

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2026-01-15 05:06