Yeah, he might have started off as all aspiring musicians probably did — slave to the piano/violin/flute/insert other uncool musical instrument here at his parents’ behest. But legendary engineering guru Gary Langan proves it was also endless networking, a great deal of good fortune, and of course that requisite workhorse mentality that got him as far as he’s come. And through a combination of it all, Langan perfected his chops assisting behind the engineering board on classics like Queen’s A Night at the Opera, and working with Trevor Horn on Yes’ 90125 and the hit single “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” This led to work on The Buggles’ Video Killed the Radio Star, and further recording and writing work with gods like Malcolm McLaren and even god-awful bands like ABC (remember “Poison Arrow”?). And if that weren’t enough: “We made music from rummaging around in other peoples’ boxes of sound, and putting them together with a machine called the Fairlight,” adds Langan. Riiight. Did we mention he was also one of the original (if somewhat accidental) creators of that Fairlight thing, one the very first pieces of modern sampling equipment, and also one of four musical masterminds behind incendiary avant-garde synth band Art of Noise? In case you didn’t know, AON was one of New Wave’s chief purveyors of original and unique electronica — ah, you get the point. An artist can only be so talented before you start to feel queasy with envy– for more on (and from) Gary on his illustrious history, head over to Red Bull Music Academy Radio. It’s a bit that makes for great mental masturbation, especially if you’re a prog-head!