“It just doesn’t sound like anything else”: Believe it or not, synth-pop legend Howard Jones had never owned a Prophet-5 before, but he’s got one now
Better late than never

Given his ‘synth legend’ status, it seems remarkable that Howard Jones had never before owned a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, but we’re delighted to be able to tell you that he’s finally acquired one. And, judging by the video he’s just posted, he’s pretty excited about it.
“This is one of the early ones,” says HoJo, as he carries his new toy over to his desk and switches it on. “It just doesn’t sound like anything else,” he remarks, before taking a spin through some of the presets.
“There’s the Japan type sounds… Richard Barbieri,” murmurs Jones as he plays through some of the tones. “What an amazing synth,” he says, as the warmth of the instrument practically jumps out of the screen.
“This is such fun,” he adds later, and you get the feeling that, having waited so long to get his hands on the Prophet-5, Jones is in no hurry to stop playing it.
Given the time of its availability - between 1978 and 1984 - it’s surprising that Jones never owned one. Yes, he didn’t release his first single until 1984, but he’d been active in bands for several years before that, so he must surely have come across Sequential’s most famous synth.
Back then, Jones was seemingly more taken with the Roland Jupiter-8 and Juno-60 - he’s just had his original one fixed - and Yamaha DX7. We reckon he might take the time to explore what the Prophet-5 has to offer now, though, so it’s a case of better late than never.
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.

“I don’t make the rules. We’re trying to do the right thing. It is what it is, I’m the singer. Get off my case”: Liam Gallagher responds to fans who’ve had their Oasis tickets falsely cancelled

“Boy, he’s a weird guy. He’s got one orange sneaker, one red sneaker”: Gene Simmons on Ace Frehley’s memorable audition for Kiss