IT was his classic pop song Video Killed the Radio Star which predicted the rise of new technology in the music industry.

Now Grammy award-winning producer, songwriter and musician Trevor Horn - the man behind 1970s new wave band The Buggles - has joined a future generation of stars as he opened Solent University's state-of-the-art recording studios.

The £1m studios will play a pivotal role in the university's courses in popular music and record production, urban and electronic music and music performance - giving youngsters the chance to train up their talents for chart-topping performances.

Pop icon Pop icon Trevor has spent three decades at the top of the music business, guiding acts including the Sugababes, Seal and Macy Gray to success.

He first found fame in 1979 with hit song Video Killed the Radio Star, which raced to number one in the UK charts. The video was the first ever to be shown on the embryonic MTV.

He has since established himself as one of the top producers in the industry, working with Paul McCartney and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

He won a Grammy in 1996 for co-writing Seal's worldwide hit Kiss from a Rose.

Sitting comfortably in the producer's chair in the new studios, Trevor said: "I think the studios are brilliant. When I started out there was no technology like this and I think if you are a young person coming here to study it must be wonderful.

"Music and technology move together arm-in-arm and it is an honour to have been asked to open these studios."

Paul Rutter, senior lecturer in popular music, said: "It is fitting to get such an iconic producer linked with the idea of the changing era of music production and performance.

"It is an incredibly exciting industry and we're delighted to be helping our talented and enthusiastic students through a combination of academic study, practical musicianship and studio-based recording."

Professor Rod Pilling, dean of the faculty of media, arts and society, added: "This new facility forms part of our portfolio of exciting degree courses which taps into the tremendous creativity of our students who will be an asset to their chosen industry."