Thomas Dolby

Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson October 14, 1958) is a British musician. His father was a professor of history. The "Dolby" nickname comes from the name Dolby Laboratories, and was given to him by friends impressed with his studio tinkering. Dolby Laboratories was reportedly very displeased with Robertson using the company name as his own stage name and sued him, trying to stop him from using the name Dolby entirely. Eventually, they succeeded in restricting him from using the word Dolby in any other context other than with the name Thomas.

Musical background

He is associated with synth pop, a pop music form incorporating electronic instruments. His most recognized song is "She Blinded Me With Science" with sound samples from Magnus Pyke although he describes this track as his least favourite. Most of Dolby's work covers a wide range of musical styles and moods distinct from the high-energy pop sound of his few, better known commercial successes.

Related Topics:
Synth pop - Pop music - Electronic instrument - Sound sample - Magnus Pyke - Musical style

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Perhaps his most popular side-gig was as keyboard player on Def Leppard's 1983 Pyromania album. Due to contractual problems (i.e. they didn't share the same record label), Dolby appeared on Pyromania using the nom de plume Booker T. Boffin.

Related Topics:
Pyromania - Nom de plume

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A couple of years later, Dolby performed at the Live Aid concert in London as part of David Bowie's band.

Related Topics:
Live Aid - David Bowie

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In 1990, he appeared in the huge charity concert "The Wall" in Berlin, organized by Roger Waters: he played keyboards in "Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)" (sung by Cyndi Lauper), and then played the Teacher's role in the sequence "The Trial".

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