Reeder was born in Manchester, UK, in 1958. He has a twin brother. From a young age he was interested in music. Through an older cousin, his interest in progressive rock woke. In 1968 he bought his first record, the Jimi Hendrix album Electric Ladyland. After finishing school he started an apprenticeship as commercial artist. In college, however, he became more involved with music and hosted disco parties for the students. For a short time he worked in an advertising agency, but he quickly got bored. He resigned and went on to work in Manchester's first Virgin-Record store on Lever Street. Boycotted in many British record shops in the late 1970s punk-Music was available there, making the shop a popular haunt of Manchester's punk scene. Reeder met many punk musicians there, including die buzzcocks, John the Postman, Rob Gretton, Tony Wilson and Mark Farrow. Through his work in the record store, he had constant access to new music. In particular, he was fascinated by the electronic music imported from Germany by artists such as Claus Schulze, Giorgio Moroder, power plant and Tangerine Dream. The interest in country and music led to a first trip to Germany.