Trevor Rabin

Trevor Rabin – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the extraordinary journey of Trevor Rabin — the South African-born musician, guitarist, composer, and film score artist. From Rabbitt and Yes to blockbuster soundtracks, explore his biography, works, philosophy, and memorable statements.

Introduction

Trevor Rabin is a polymath of modern music: a guitarist, songwriter, producer, and composer whose career spans rock stardom and cinematic scoring. Born January 13, 1955 (actually 1954 in many sources) in Johannesburg, South Africa, Rabin first gained acclaim in his home country before moving to the global stage. He is best known as a key creative force behind the 1980s incarnation of the progressive rock band Yes, composer of evocative film scores, and a solo artist whose work bridges rock, fusion, and orchestral idioms. His life and output reveal a rare fusion: a rock musician fluent in orchestration and film narrative.

In this article, we’ll explore his early life, musical formation, major milestones, legacy, and some quotes that capture his musical philosophy.

Early Life and Family

Trevor Charles Rabin (some sources say born 1954) was born in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He came from a deeply musical and artistic family:

• His father Godfrey Rabin was a lawyer and a violinist, serving as first chair in the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra.

• His mother Joy (née Wallach) was an actress, dancer, and classically trained pianist.

Trevor has siblings (an older brother Derek).

Growing up, the household nurtured both classical and contemporary musical tastes, and his parents encouraged disciplined study of instruments from a young age.

Youth and Musical Formation

From early childhood, music was central. He began classical piano lessons at age six.

At around twelve years old, Rabin taught himself guitar (using piano exercise books as a guide) and started playing in local bands.

Before long, he played in local groups such as Conglomeration and Freedom’s Children in his youth.

During his teenage years, Rabin also did military conscription (South African compulsory service), where he served in the entertainment division, arranging music, performing, and continuing session work.

He also studied orchestration, arrangement, and conducting under a professor, Walter Mony, in Johannesburg, though music performance overtook those academic ambitions.

Thus, by his late teens, Rabin was already working as a session musician in South Africa, playing across genres—from jazz and rock to studio sessions.

Career and Achievements

1970s: Rabbitt and Early Solo Work

In 1972, Rabin and his bandmates from Conglomeration regrouped to form Rabbitt, with Neil Cloud (drums), Ronnie Robot (bass), and Duncan Faure (vocals/keyboards) among the roster.

Rabbitt’s debut album Boys Will Be Boys (1975) earned success in South Africa; the band won several SARIE (South African Recording Industry) awards.

Their follow-up, A Croak and a Grunt in the Night (1977), also saw Rabin producing and arranging, garnering further recognition.

In the same period, Rabin released his first solo album Beginnings (1977), playing nearly all instruments except drums.

Due to international opposition to apartheid—especially travel restrictions and sanctions—Rabbitt found it difficult to tour abroad, which compelled Rabin to relocate.

Late 1970s to Early 1980s: London, Solo, and Transition

In 1978, Rabin moved to London and signed with Chrysalis Records. He remixed and reissued Beginnings under his name.

He released further solo albums Face to Face (1979) and Wolf (1981), collaborating with musicians like Manfred Mann, Ray Davies, and more.

However, he found solo success limited in the UK market, and eventually moved to Los Angeles in 1981 to pursue greater opportunities.

1982–1995: Yes Era & Solo Work

In the early 1980s, Rabin sent demo tapes that caught the attention of Yes’s rhythm section (Chris Squire, Alan White). They formed a project called Cinema which evolved into a reformed Yes lineup with Jon Anderson rejoining.

In 1983, Yes released 90125, heavily based on Rabin’s demos. Its single “Owner of a Lonely Heart” went to No. 1 on the US charts.

90125 became Yes’s best-selling album, bringing the band mainstream commercial success.

Rabin’s tenure in Yes included albums Big Generator (1987), Union (1991), and Talk (1994). He also produced Talk from his home studio, using digital recording techniques.

He also released solo work during this time: Can’t Look Away (1989) yielded the single “Something to Hold On To,” which charted well in rock formats.

After the Talk tour, Rabin left Yes in 1995 to focus primarily on film composition.

Mid-1990s Onward: Film Scoring & Later Projects

After leaving Yes, Rabin became a prolific film composer. His credits include major action blockbusters like Con Air, Armageddon, Enemy of the State, National Treasure, Gone in 60 Seconds, Remember the Titans, Deep Blue Sea, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (via related work), and many more.

He formed a long collaboration with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, a frequent collaborator in action cinema.

Rabin also composed notable themes used in sports broadcasting:

• The NBA on TNT theme (from 2002)

• The MLB on TBS theme (from 2007)

• Other media and television work likewise contributed to his reputation beyond rock circles.

In 2012, he released his solo album Jacaranda, his first album of new material in over two decades. The work is instrumental and weaves together rock, jazz, blues, classical, and fusion.

Rabin also rejoined in a later iteration of Yes: Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman (often called ARW). He toured internationally with them between ~2016 and 2018.

In 2017 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Yes.

Most recently, Rabin released a new vocal-led solo album Rio (2023), his first with new vocals since Can’t Look Away.

Historical & Cultural Context

Rabin’s career straddles multiple musical currents: progressive rock, arena rock, film scoring, and fusion. He has bridged what might have seemed disparate domains—the virtuosity and layering of prog/rock with the demands of cinematic storytelling.

As a South African emigrant, his path also reflects the challenges of leaving a homeland constrained by apartheid-era policies and seeking broader artistic freedom abroad. His successes in the U.S. and internationally mark him as one of the more prominent South African artists on the global stage.

Moreover, his shift from band performer to film composer illustrates adaptability in an evolving music industry. While many rock artists fade or stagnate, Rabin continually reinvented his role—from front-stage to behind-the-scenes, from song-based albums to orchestral scores.

Legacy and Influence

Trevor Rabin’s impact is multifaceted:

• Cross-genre credibility: He earned respect both in rock circles (Yes, solo) and in film music, a relatively rare crossover.

• Melodic strength in film scoring: His scores often combine synthesizer, orchestral colors, and strong melodic hooks, enriching visuals.

• Technical innovation: His embrace of digital recording and home-studio production in the 1990s set precedents for future musicians and producers.

• Inspiration for musicians: Guitarists and composers study his ability to balance technical skill with emotional resonance.

• Representative of South African talent abroad: As a South African-born musician achieving success internationally, he stands among those who have reclaimed visibility for artists from the African continent in mainstream Western music.

Personality and Talents

Trevor Rabin is frequently described as disciplined, curious, and musically adventurous. His early classical training endowed him with an understanding of harmony, counterpoint, and structure; his rock sensibility pushed him toward immediacy and energy. That dual sensibility is a signature of his style.

He is also known as a perfectionist and craftsman: in interviews, he speaks of relentless revision and exploring the expressive potential within each piece. His willingness to shift roles—from frontman to composer—demonstrates humility and adaptability.

His family values also mattered: his wife Shelley May (married since 1978) and his son Ryan, who is a drummer/producer, are part of his long-term life narrative.

Rabin also maintains a connection to his roots, occasionally referencing South Africa in his music (e.g. some track names on Jacaranda reference his upbringing).

Famous Quotes & Reflections by Trevor Rabin

Although Rabin is less quotable than some poets or philosophers, here are some statements and lines that shed light on his professional approach and musical thinking:

“I wanted to write music that I enjoy … that will be challenging for me to play.”
— on Jacaranda’s conception

“The music I did in bands was always hinged between rock and classical—always a push me, pull me.”
— in reflection on his stylistic direction (paraphrase of interviews)

“I don’t think I ever left the studio at that time. I virtually lived and worked there around the clock.”
— on early solo sessions in Johannesburg

“We stuck a sheet up on the wall and I wrote the score … I still haven’t watched it.”
— recalling his early film-scoring effort Death of a Snowman (1976)

“I used to go into … the garrison. I would just sit for hours practising the guitar … although I would always play the piano.”
— from his conscription years in South Africa

These quotations illustrate Rabin’s hands-on ethic, his dedication to craft, and how his early life informed his musical identity.

Lessons from Trevor Rabin

1. Master multiple musical languages
   Rabin demonstrates that fluency in classical, rock, synthesizer, orchestration, and studio production can amplify one’s creative reach.

2. Embrace reinvention
   Transitioning from rock frontman to film composer, then returning to solo work, shows flexibility and refusal to be boxed into one identity.

3. Persist through geographical and political constraints
   Leaving South Africa (in part forced by apartheid-era limitations) and building a career abroad required courage, persistence, and vision.

4. Let passion guide experimentation
   His Jacaranda project—where he challenged himself to write what he loved—suggests that personal artistic fulfillment can lead to fresh breakthroughs.

5. Technical mastery serves expression, not the other way around
   His decisions to adopt new recording tech, but always with musical purpose, are a model for balancing technique and emotion.

Conclusion

Trevor Rabin’s life is a testament to the power of musical versatility, perseverance across genres, and creative integrity. From Johannesburg’s music scene to global recognition with Yes, and later as a film composer whose themes pulse through major blockbusters, Rabin has shaped modern music in subtle but profound ways.

His story encourages musicians and listeners alike to see boundaries not as bars but as opportunity. To explore the works of 90125, Can’t Look Away, Jacaranda, or his film scores is to trace the arc of a musician who never settled—but always listened, adapted, and persisted.