Born in London as Thomas Morgan Robertson, Dolby sang in a choir before picking up a guitar but did not receive any formal musical training. When electronic instruments appeared in the 70s, he discovered his life's passion after acquiring a kit built synthesizer. His friends nicknamed him Dolby after Dolby Laboratories in honor of the hours spent learning about this new musical frontier. He is best known, of course, for the 1982 hit "She Blinded Me With Science," which was inescapable at the time. Instantly recognizable from the cascading synths that opens the track, Dolby's delivery was both playfully scolding and sizzling like a rock star. He went on to create five studio albums, along with designing his own synths and founding his own software company. Since 2001, Dolby has also served as Musical Director for the Ted Conference annual series.
Dolby will perform on Saturday, October 27 at 10 pm in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. For further information about the festival, visit Moogfest.com.