Pitched 80s Hit to All Time Legend Over a PAYPHONE...The UNTHINKABLE Happened! | Professor Of Rock

My favorite thing in the world is when I do an interview that Leaves me Speechless. Where it blows my mind like "Did that really just happen?" Well this is one those interviews, from an 80s new wave virtuoso named Thomas Dolby….A true renaissance man who was discovered by legendary producer Mutt Lange when he was busking on the street. He would go onto help revolutionize the future.. he was the secret sauce behind huge 80s records by everyone from Def Leppard to Foreigner. Today he tells us about getting the call to play keyboards with David Bowie at Live Aid and how they rehearsed an exact setlist and then Bowie changed the Opening song seconds before they walked on stage. He got play Heroes in front of 100s of millions of people. We also hear how Michael Jackson invited him to his house right after Thriller and asked him to write him a song This is a can’t miss next on professor of rock.
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Hey Music Junkies, Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you want the straight stories behind rock’s legendary hits make sure to subscribe below right now and click the bell so that you always know when our new ones drop. Also check out our exclusive content on patreon and our latest merch, including our vintage years collection from amazing artist Thomas Estrada.
I’m excited to bring you another episode from our series Revelations- where featured artists go deep on their greatest songs. Today’s episode was a major tossup… Today we get the story behind an 80s hit that we’ve all heard but sometimes can’t place: It been used a lot lately in pop culture from Breaking Bad to Grand Theft Auto Vice City and it was written for Michael Jackson by new wave virtuoso Thomas Dolby. Thomas Dolby was discovered by Mega producer Mutt Lange busking on the street and was brought in to put some synth muscle behind the huge hits Waiting for A Girl Like You and Urgent. Ya both of those iconic parts are from Dolby.
Up next in an exclusive interview Thomas Dolby gives us the unique history of his incredible career from the Mutt Lange’s secret weapon to getting chosen by David Bowie to play his set at Live Aid. Mr. Dolby give us some incredible insight into Bowie a regular person and how Thomas had to really pull out a miracle when Bowie changed the set list in front of millions of people and what it was like playing Heroes at arguably the greatest gig in music history. Also where Dolby is now. It coming up next. As we go into this interview I want to thank our sponsor Zenni Eyewear the glasses I jam everyday. One of the best things about these glasses is that when you go Zenni.com you can customize your eyewear with a prescription lens or non-prescription lens if you just want the cool look or color of a particular style of lens. Check it out today.
Thomas Dolby truly is the renaissance man of our time. He done so many things. Leave us a comment about this amazing song and about Thomas Dolby. Playing Live Aid and his 80s hit Hyperactive. What are your memories of the song. Let us know in the comments If you dig our content, our videos make sure to subscribe below so you never miss out on our content. Keep the music alive my friends. Until next time.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the greatest live concert performance from the rock era?

[@mikenicholson7465]

I'm biased towards the concert in Sting's Bring on the Night film.

[@davidellis5141]

The Clash ! 🎸

[@killrmillr]

Michael Schenker's playing on UFO's Strangers In The Night

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Live Aid was phenomenal!!

[@catherine6653]

Queen at Live Aid, Wembly Stadium Beatles at Shea Stadium

[@dalewilson9334]

Man, I miss the 80s so much, anyone who is a baby boomer, we got the full experience of the golden era of music the 50s - 80s, we had it all and we were all age perfect for it, thanks for this nostalgic video!

[@RBS_]

....who you tellin'!? ...me niece calls it, '...Old People Music..'....I told her...well, It was GOOD Old People Music! ...ha-HAA!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree Dale. A glorious time. That's why I go back everyday.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha.

[@TheSlowoldman]

@@RBS_ I just celebrated the 36th anniversary of my 21st birthday!! Us old folks enjoyed the best music!🤣🤣

[@stephenhanft1226]

Totally agree. The 50's-80's were the best. We had it so good

[@wokedragon3211]

Dolby was one of the most overlooked geniuses of the 80's musical era.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I have to agree.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I agree.

[@johnscott6481]

Perhaps obscured by time,but overlooked?, Not so sure, I was made familiar as a 7 year old ,blinded by science was everywhere as a hit on radio. And his name is synonymous with all things stereo

[@ericbgordon1575]

Thomas Dolby is as relatable a storyteller as anyone. I applaud how well he handled himself under David Bowie's scrutiny.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Me too. That was compelling.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Bowie was a human being not a demi god. He was important but not as much as the myth suggests. A lot of his music in the second half of his career was way below par for someone revered as a genius.

[@flavellinator]

Dolby just emitted a whimsical intelligence in his songs that had the geek side of me just eat it up. His videos were always curiously interesting as well. Had no idea of his immense impact in the industry. Would love to see what's in Thomas's camera,!... Stellar interview, Professor!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks my friend. Appreciate the all time support!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He’s one of the guys that has made me a true nerd.

[@elia.almodovar9558]

​@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 a

[@bondjapan]

I owned the Foreigner Four album growing up. Never had a clue that Dolby played that synth riff on Waiting For A Girl Like You.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He sure did.

[@scottymoondogjakubin4766]

She blinded me with science is still one of my favorite music videos !

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a funny one! That old guy in the video is an actual scientist. 👨‍🔬

[@scottymoondogjakubin4766]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 gotta 💘 it !!!💯

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@scottymoondogjakubin4766 It’s so entertaining.

[@scottymoondogjakubin4766]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 %100 ! that and Eddy grant " electric avenue " lol !

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@scottymoondogjakubin4766 That video was filmed at night which makes it even more ELECTRIC.

[@woodsrdr]

I'll bet most people don't even realize that Thomas Dolby created the polyphonic ringtones they used to download on their early cellphones.

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's exactly right. He's a real renaissance man.

[@laurat1129]

As one of those people who didn't know that, wow! Well, with a name like "Dolby", what did we expect?😂

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Now, that I didn’t know! Cool!

[@wtflolomg]

It makes his song's appearance in Breaking Bad particularly clever, too.

[@Creaulx]

@@eightiesmusic1984 I think it was called The Speed of Sound? I didn't even get halfway through it.

[@robster7316]

It seems all these musicians have great stories to tell. Thomas Dolby is no exception. He certainly has an appropriate last name for the music biz! Thanks, Adam!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Well said!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The Dolby Theater?

[@vintagestrings6]

Dolby noise reduction

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

I remember the Keyboard Battle in 1984 It was Thomas Dolby vs Stevie Wonder, Howard Jones vs Herbie Hancock! That was wicked as H !

[@ProfessorofRock]

Who wins?

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@ProfessorofRock Honestly? Who do you think won? Ask him about that too.

[@mournblade1066]

@@ProfessorofRock It was a performance by the four of them on The Grammys back in 1985. Unfortunately it wasn't technically a live performance, but at least we got to see Thomas Dolby dressed up as Beethoven. Here is a piss-poor copy of the performance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXjdiKR3mJZpopI

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That sounds cool as hell!

[@Code.Name.V]

🤯

[@TheSlowoldman]

First things first, the shirt, fantastic. I had no idea that Thomas Dolby had his fingers in so many pies so to speak, so much influence on so many hits from other artists as well as being a go to for those artists to get musical advice/opinions. So talented and yet so humble, what an interview. Squatting on an ottoman in that accent for some reason that cracked me up! I've always associated him with Hyperactive and of course, Blinded Me With Science.... which was a huge hit around my junior year in high school. The minute Blinded comes on the memory that takes over is a buddy of mine doing this stupid/funny little dance at our prom like Spicoli in the dance scene in Fast Times . Hyperactive has become my favorite of the two now by far. Neat to learn more about him, sounds like he has A LOT of great stories.

[@ProfessorofRock]

HE does indeed. More to come.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

At this point, I’m surprised that Sean Penn didn’t do a cameo in that video! 😂

[@RC32Smiths01]

80s had so many iconic and important events in music history. Live Aid changed the game for sure. Cheers as always for the reassurance and preserving of amazing history at play.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for listening RC32. Appreciate it.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

There was also the premiere of Back to the Future a few days before.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Great interview! One of my favorite songs from the 80s New Wave movement was Thomas Dolby's "One of Our Submarines" - a dark moody track that starkly contrasted with the bright bubbly songs we typically associated with his style. Brilliant artist that deserved more recognition for his immense talent. BTW - I had no idea it was Thomas Dolby that did the amazing keyboards for Foreigner's "Waiting for a Girl Like You". Mind Blown!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He has a lot of great songs from the early 80s.

[@jameswoodruff7182]

Like you mentioned the other day about Stevie Wonder, Dolby was everywhere back then and no one knew it. Such a musical genius.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed. Great human being!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Yep. He’s just underappreciated.

[@mournblade1066]

Thomas Dolby is so great! As a synth guy myself, he was one of my heroes back in the day.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He’s a synth whiz.

[@aspalovin]

Live Aid was the most amazing music spectacle I've ever seen. The air around it all was electric. Still get the same felling when watching it again. Poppin in the VHS tapes and rockin out to the show was pretty standard at my house between me and my sisters.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Our family did the same. It was a life changing day.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Live Aid was truly magic.

[@DukesMusic84]

Bowie was always held in high regard by musicians. He even inspired the name of my band. He was awesome at Live Aid. Fantastic interview and story.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Ziggy Stardust…

[@DukesMusic84]

@@ProfessorofRock Back at ya bro.

[@Harloha]

What was the name of your band?

[@tnrodgers]

Dolby is a great talent, MJ would never really know. His master work on Foreigner 4 was “instrumental” to the album. Great stuff.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Imagine if Thomas Dolby played on Thriller…

[@OneBentMonkey]

The info that he played on Foreigner 4 is one my fav “I wish I had known that at the time” fact. Blows my mind every time I’m reminded

[@dranet47]

Thomas Dolby set the bar for the 80s synth sound. I don't think the 80s would be what it was without him.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No question!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Truly.

[@bjdefilippo447]

He's a music god to me. No bad tunes. Thoughtful, inventive, addictive music that keeps you wanting more. I still have vivid memories of dancing to Hyperactive with my best friend of 40 years.

[@billjones6625]

I WAS AT LIVE AID THE PHILLY SIDE ,IT'S A MOMENT I'LL NEVER FORGET. MICK N TINA DANCING.WOW

[@billjones6625]

YOU HAVE MY G-MAIL TALK

[@TogonzoMedia]

David Bowie gave so much back. What I find mesmerizing is how Mick Jones introduced us to Thomas Dolby who not only shared the Wembley stage with David Bowie, but it was Bowie who introduced us to Stevie Ray Vaughn. We always say, "it's a small world," but it's an even smaller world for the musicians. I remember reading an interview years ago with Steve Lukather and the interviewer was name dropping like crazy and Lukather's response to every one was, "Yeah, I played music that cat, man!" and it hit me because my Dad always said the same thing. 😂

[@bobfromjob]

Thomas is so humble about what he's accomplished. I've got nothing but respect for him.

[@serenasantiago1964]

The 80's were great! I wish I could've experienced Live Aid, but I was fortunate enough to stand in Hands Accross America when I used to live in California. The reason I mentioned where I lived is because where they had us line up was so beautiful. Its was a perfect day and the mountains and palm trees looked spectacular.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on! That's amazing! Thanks Serena!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Hands Across America was huge too.

[@hilzabub]

The Golden Age of Wireless is one of my favourite albums from the '80s. Dolby is an amazing talent. Thank you for this episode.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

I had no idea what an intergal part Thomas Dolby played in 80s music until I listened to your channel. His fingerprints are everywhere throughout 80s music. Always love his interviews so open and honest on what he was thinking or feeling at the time. Great episode professor! Ps. Love the tee of Johnny Cash too!

[@ProfessorofRock]

They are EVERYWHERE. Very true!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Without him we would not have had the magic of Foreigner’s 4 or Def Leppard’s Pyromania.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@Anna Trail I didn't realize how much so

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Dolby helped create the whole sound of the 80s, now I know

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@MyName-pl7zn He’s also the founder of Beatnik, which I learned that today, and works as a professor at Johns Hopkins.

[@MrMaharg65]

I remember Live Aid like it was only yesterday. So many Legends performing on one stage for a great cause. Magnificent. Great interview 🫡 Bowie was a God

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It was amazing! Two different locations, one spectacular experience.

[@rogerdeahl9629]

Thomas Dolby. Everyone knows his song "Science", but not many know how in demand he was as a musician. And how important is Mutt Lange to the history of modern music? Wow. And nice shout out to The Man In Black........ Johnny Cash. Love it. Thanks Professor!

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure. Wait until tomorrow.

[@rogerdeahl9629]

@@ProfessorofRock Can't wait!! 👍👍

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Oh…now I’m eager to watch tomorrow’s video.

[@rogerdeahl9629]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Aren't you always? 😳😳😳😳😳😳😏

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@rogerdeahl9629 Ha, of course I am, but cue Adam’s foreshadowing for tomorrow and that excitement increases.

[@LioraLand1]

Queen at Live Aid, numero uno. And I’m not even the biggest queen fan. But it’s the very best, ever, for so many reasons. Unbeatable.

[@norcalsportsguy]

Picture it, summer, 1983. Family vacation to Southern California to visit family. One of my older cousins played 'She Blinded Me With Science' on his boombox repeatedly. I miss those days!

[@gregorysharp]

Cassette tape. Playing it on a Radio Shack single speaker cassette player. Sitting in my hallway with my then best friend Robert. Robert had brought the cassette over. Spring of 84. I will be meeting my very first girlfriend and first love later that summer. I played the Cello and she played an oboe. MANY years later I would see Thomas perform in the same city. We got to see him up close. Me with my new love and wonderful wife of 27 years. Thomas Dolby has been a very important part of my life’s soundtrack. Prefab Sprout too. Two Wheels Good. ❤

[@norcalsportsguy]

@@gregorysharp thanks for sharing that! What a great story. Did you play a Thomas Dolby song at your wedding?

[@trinaq]

I love your interview with Thomas, Adam, he sounds like an interesting chap, with so many stories to tell about his career in the music industry.

[@ProfessorofRock]

He's a great guy. So much more. coming soon.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I cannot wait to hear more from him.

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Wow what a great story. Adam you have outdone yourself again

[@ProfessorofRock]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

@Professor of Rock I love your channel and awesome nostalgic attitude.

[@RobinMarks1313]

Ahead of his time. Loved it. I know I dissed videos the other day, but he's an exception. to that rule. He was pure theater and song.

[@TJ-id6ee]

I love Thomas Dolby and this is such a fantastic interview. Thank you again!

[@macsnafu]

It's things like this that make me think I was somehow transported to an alternate universe that's *almost* but not quite the same as my original universe. Not that I was ever a big Bowie fan, but he's certainly had songs that I really liked, such as Space Oddity, Changes, Let's Dance, and even maybe Young American. But when did Heroes become such a big song for Bowie??? The album, sure, but the song itself? As for Thomas Dolby, he's done some incredible stuff, but it always amazes me that he's the keyboard guy behind Waiting For A Girl Like You by Foreigner. Loved that song so much because of the keyboards! It's also what probably ruined Foreigner as a band, having a huge non-guitar-based hit like that. Especially when they followed it up with I Wanna Know What Love Is, which also turned out be a pretty big hit for them. But what really gets me is how down-to-earth, how ordinary, most of these great musicians seem to be when you interview them. Yes, it's many years from their heyday when they were on top of the charts, be it the 70s, 80s, or even 90s. Geez, has it really been 23 years since the turn of the millennium? The 21st century is now old enough to have a driver's license, vote, and legally drink! ;-) The music industry was so often about developing a larger-than-life persona or image, and Bowie is a perfect example of that. He was developing multiple personas while Madonna was still growing up. But to have Dolby tell us how Bowie was insecure and irritable about flying in a copter really makes him feel as human as the rest of us.

[@weebunny]

I agree with you about "Heroes." I have a theory that Bowie's original version was rediscovered and boosted when the Wallflowers (Jakob Dylan's band) released their cover of it in 1998. It's only a theory, so if anybody knows anything different, I'd be interested to hear about it.

[@simonpsychosis2812]

While most go on about his first 3 albums (and rightfully so, they're brilliant), I will NEVER stop singing the praises of Astronauts & Heretics- one of the most overlooked, Sophisto-Pop masterpieces ever conceived.

[@gregorysharp]

This kills to hear Thomas be so damned humble. Thomas is such a talent. She Blinded Me was a perfect album. So sharp sounding. Clean and alive. When my mom would go to work, I would blast my, then $1,500 stereo, with the CD. About 6 or 8 years ago I saw Thomas Dolby, a couple rows from the front, doing his show about the Lighthouse. I pulled out my Chiquita yellow phone and boldly rested it onthe seat in front of me to stabilize it, and filmed most of his show. Worst case, he takes it from me or kicks me out. Best case… the phone was crazy bright yellow. Thomas was too close! He did notice, I’m certain. If he shot me a look of disappointment, I’m so sorry. I just adore you. I have Thomas Dolby on film! So like his Brownie camera I retired my phone because I packed the memory with Thomas’ show. It’s now the “Thomas Dolby memory stick” lol. I had to get a new phone but the risk of losing it was too big of a concern. This was in Sacramento California. I did get his autograph after during a lobby meet and greet. ❤ You are so lucky. Please tell me there’s more of his interview.

[@el0blaino]

Lovely reminiscences, thank you to Mr Dolby for sharing them. Grew up loving Bowie and remember taping Live Aid off the radio!

[@rbcrain2469]

I’m so glad you did a show about TD. I’ve been obsessing over his music for the past year. He’s such a good storyteller, accompanied with great music. Not a lot of albums released, thanks to Apple Music I’ve got access to all. You know it’s good music when you wake up with it in your head, and I do…daily

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

I missed Live Aid as I was working as a trainee Paramedic but my brother hadn't come home from work the night before. He had travelled 200 miles to Wembley to be at Live Aid. I always enjoyed Thomas Dalby's work.

[@markallen2984]

I always loved hyperactive and I always tell people to listen to Thomas Dolby's "Europa and the Pirate Twins" which is another great song but it's not as well-known as it should be. I was also a big fan of Lena Lovich and Thomas did work with her too. (New Toy, Lucky Number, I Think We're Alone Now)

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Both songs are cool.

[@stevennations2]

There will never be another mega concert that comes close to an experience like LIVE AID.

[@maxaroni15]

Was just thinking of Thomas Dolby yesterday when I heard “Waiting For A Girl Like You” while listening to all my favorite Foreigner and Lou Gramm songs. I should have had that song on the poll the other day for best intros of the ‘80s.

[@StrategyInformer-sjgold]

So amazingly epic. Dolby and Bowie changed my life!

[@hughwright1860]

What a great era for music. Live Aid is a great example of how music can inspire, assist those in need, and pull the whole world together despite our cultural and philosophical differences Thanks again Adam. Bravo 👏

[@ProfessorofRock]

Couldn't agree more!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It heals the soul.

[@jeremyriekengvfffvnxs.alli8348]

Never got the opportunity to see Bowie in concert. Today I'm super bummed about that. I had nonidea Thomas Dolby had his hands in the industry as much as he did. Killer interview, Adam!! Honestly, if I could go back and see one band, in their prime, it would be unequivocally Queen.

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

Blinded Me With Science is legendary; Hyperactive is absolutely killer; but something I don't think he gets enough credit for is his work on the Howard the Duck soundtrack. There is some really amazing music there.

[@mowm88]

Now I like This one--he's a really good storyteller.

[@mowm88]

8:10 HA HA LLAMAFACE

[@joycegeertsma7115]

Great interview, Thanks Adam & Thomas..! My favorite T.D. song is Airwaves..❤

[@paulhorsley8922]

I met Thomas a few years back, what a lovely non-pretentious guy he was ❤.

[@bySterling]

80s was just good simple times and this man contributed so much to it. I don’t understand why past big pop stars choose to hide their eyes from millions especially when haven’t been seen themselves for years or decades.

[@jeanninebagley6354]

I watched Live aid on TV … but my first deep memory of Thomas Dolby was because he opened for Depeche Mode at the 101 concert

[@hellradiolives]

Oh my goodness, I have been asking for a feature on One of Our Submarines for the longest time. But Hey, any Dolby is good Dolby!!

[@Jettscreamer99]

I love “Hyperactive “. I was please to hear it again, one day Way Back in 2002 when I played Grand Theft Auto:Vice City on the “In Game Radio Station” WAVE 103

[@Era515]

I really like Dolby's "I scare myself." Very mesmerizing song.

[@djinnmagik]

I LOVE BOTH BOWIE and DOLBY

[@georgemathie8123]

I was 7 years old when live aid happened and it showed me that music can unite us all and make a difference

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Music brings out the good in every person.

[@georgemathie8123]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 as David Bowie said we can be heroes just for one day and I totally believe that everyone can be that in your own life in your school's or your place of employment we have the power to inspire and motivate one another and that's why classic music from the 60s,70s and 80s will continue to inspire generations to come

[@johnscott6481]

Great moment ,would've been greater if they got the money to the famine relief,sadly was misappropriated.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@georgemathie8123 He made one of the most powerful statements of the human race.

[@georgemathie8123]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 another musician and songwriter that has always been inspiring to me is Todd Rundgren he is such an amazing songwriter and musician his 1981 album healing is such a beautiful piece of music and is a very good album to listen to when you're feeling down and out and he can do heartbreaking ballads, balls out rockers and eccentric experimental art rock and I'm hoping one day Adam will have him on the show

[@hastypete2]

I had the fortune to see Thomas Dolby live back when Six Flags Magic Mountain hosted summer concerts. It must have been around '84 or '85 The theater there is very small by today's standards and WOW what a great show. What an iconic part of the history of rock. Thank you for having TD on your channel

[@_i_am_unceded]

Honor and Respect 🪶 Honor and Respect ❤️ Greetings from Avondale Florida 🌺🌴🌺 I am a former full time street busker and I love stories about buskers going from street to studio and to massive air play. 😊

[@davidwatchesyoutube]

I got to see Thomas Dolby live in '83. Brilliant concert! When he played Hyperactive, he dashed off stage and returned with the box on his head and started pulling the sheets off the face. Then Thomas Dolby came running on stage to chase off the impostor under the box. I still listen to his catalog regularly to this day.

[@jennyjenny4501]

I heard Mr. Dolby say in an interview that he found his first synthesizer in the trash.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I've heard the same thing. A blessed day that was!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

For real?! 😳

[@bondjapan]

Hyperactive somehow slipped under my radar in the '80s, but thanks for turning me onto it now. I do remember watching Live Aid for hours and hours, and even recording much of it onto a box of Memorex tapes I purchased just for the occasion. (But, as with Hyperactive, I missed that Dolby was playing keys for Bowie!)

[@rgkavendek]

LOVED Thomas Dolby from the very beginning with “Golden Age of Wireless”!! Just brilliant on so many levels!!

[@timothywiebe4714]

You’d love this Prof: 2 friends and I loved TD so much we decided to sneak into his sold out concert at the Jubilee in Calgary. As we drove there we passed people playing baseball across the street… So we hung around and then tried to bluff our way in by saying our friends were already inside and they had our tickets. Dolby was actually in that park where they were playing baseball; and he walked from there onto the stage. Enjoyed a few great songs - until we got rounded up 🤠 Fantastic interview!

[@nadaworldrecords]

Dolby was an incredible musician and honestly an innovator on the same level as Gary Numan in my book. And he's homies with GEORGE CLINTON. There's some video floating around the net where George Clinton sees him in the audience at a show and says 'Thomas Dolby! Get up here and getchu some of this funk!' Dolby gets on stage and starts jamming with the band on synth. Incredible.

[@jamesanthony8438]

"I always loved Hyperactive." Me too, dude. Great video, too. =)

[@Harloha]

I've been binge watching your videos for a good week now, ( a couple hrs a day over a week, not a week straight, lol ) anyway, I just realized I wasn't subscribed. Well, I am now. I love the content and the way you tell the stories. Much Love and Aloha from Honolulu Hawaii, ( a plumber, a tall, skinny white guy born and raised in The Motor City, Living Aloha in Paradise. ) P.S. I sure do miss the 80's.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Aloha! Have always wanted to travel there.

[@Harloha]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 you should, it is beautiful.

[@austintrousdale2397]

Thomas Dolby didn’t just make music, he changed it. 💯 🙌Good get, Adam 👏✌️

[@showard64]

He has the most soothing and relaxing speaking voice.

[@user-sp9if6yx1j]

Yes yes yes thank you for saying it.

[@80ssynthfan48]

And he played keyboards on the first-released version of Video Killed The Radio Star, as part of Bruce Woolley (co-writer) and The Camera Club. There are a couple of different versions of that version on KZbin, one obviously more Americanised than the other.

[@whitefantom]

I've been a huge fan of Thomas Dolby for close to 30 years - I wish more people actually knew just how much of an influence he's had on music and music technology in the last several decades, rather than just thinking of him as the "One Hit Wonder" who did She Blinded Me With Science. I've always loved Hyperactive, and I can't even imagine now the idea of Michael Jackson doing it instead of Thomas. I even performed Hyperactive myself in one of my high school concert/talent shows back in the late 90's. 😁

[@thomasduchene9415]

One of the many 80s hits still playing on my playlist

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

I remember singing ABC on the airplane ✈ returning back to America! I had everyone singing even the Pilots!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@ProfessorofRock They also sang American Pie 🥧

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@Anna Trail Were you airsick?Was it something you ate ?

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@Anna Trail I have flown Cessnas before. If I were to borrow their plane is there a place that I could land and takeoff on your homestead?

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@Anna Trail They're the single propeller airplane ✈ that can hold about 8 people. I would need about 600 feet to land and 700 to take off! I hope you have the right answer so I can ask you another question 😉

[@80sJayOfficial]

Let's not forget he opened for Depeche Mode in 1988 at the famous Rosebowl gig in Pasadena. 😀 🎹

[@babybro70]

Love this song Got the album, CD & 45

[@asnarkygirl]

Loved him in Rockula too!

[@CoZmicShReddeR]

Always an inspiration! I loved the 80's Thomas Dolby was amazing with all his gadgetry! My favorite Albums "The Best of Thomas Dolby: Retrospectacle " it's a very good mix of my favorite hits and really enjoyed "The Gate to the Mind's Eye".

[@o0oTyPow]

All I keep seeing right now....Prof of Rock and Thomas Dolby look related!

[@davidellis5141]

David Bowie , Queen & U-2 were the highlights of the day !

[@ProfessorofRock]

No question. What a day!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They changed the world right there.

[@johnmaynardable]

Always loved Thomas Dolby. I bought all of his albums. I did not know all of this. Thanks.

[@mdduckman]

Met Thomas Dolby a few years ago at a concert in Annapolis, MD. Super nice guy and his book was fascinating - highly recommend!

[@gioknows]

I just love Thomas Dolby. "She Blinded Me With Science" is one of my all time Favorites...also "I Scare Myself" is such a stylish song which I listen to often. "Hyperactive" is truly brilliant and I could actually imagine Michael Jackson pulling it off but I'm glad Thomas did it himself. I actually thought he sang the high part LOL...Kudos to the one and only David Bowie for calling on him to play for him at Live Aid, what a show. Thomas Freaking Dolby what can I say...I'm such a huge fan of his OMG. Thanks for this interview, easily my favorite one so far and I've seen a lot of them. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada 🍁

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cheers!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Hyperactive would definitely be a Thriller track.

[@machstermachster739]

Ok… second comment, and it might stir up some discussion. As much as I love the David Bowie version of Heroes… I actually like the Wallflowers version better….

[@robertweldon7909]

Being in the US, Live Aid was only something I heard about or saw videos, years later, of bands that were there. Live Aid, to me, was the UK's version of Woodstock, never to be duplicated. This is the second time you have presented an interview with Mr. Dolby. strangely I never heard his name in relation to music, but in relation to sound recording instead. I'm sure it is not the same person. As I've said; "I'm weird". ;-)

[@elizabethorsillo7187]

I loved “Hyperactive” and “One of Our Submarines.”

[@VideoArchiveGuy]

I always loved "Hyperactive" and was always shocked it didn't do better in the US.

[@franzgeil422]

What an amazing story. Love hearing the back stories of live events.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@barrysmith8920]

Genius is a Dolby....The Golden Age of Wireless is an EPIC album!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's amazing.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

So futuristic.

[@DylanWhitesChannel]

I did a lip sync to Hyperactive on the tv lip sync show “Puttin’ on the Hits” in 1985! Loved Thomas Dolby!

[@donnieyon8658]

I was born in 71 and I loved growing up in the 80s

[@steveelling9604]

That Cash shirt is outstanding.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He heard the train a-comin’.

[@foxandscout]

Thomas Dolby’s She Blinded Me With Science was a great hit that put Dolby in the limelight. He’s done so much great collaborative work and work as a session player. Hyperactive is wonderful. I didn’t know he did busking! He wrote Lena Lovitch’s hit New Toy and played with her. Whomever he worked with, he added so much. It’s obvious why Michael Jackson and David Bowie wanted to work/play with him.

[@reeb9016]

Had a girlfriend that turned me into his Aliens Ate My Buick album. That is a great album start to finish.

[@thrillcker68]

Live aid. That was amazing

[@mrcyde]

Can't say enough. Awesome, awesome, awesome!

[@gregscroggins5396]

Shall and must are key words.... I heard may and can. The Feds allow nullification of fed law especially in California where local authorities are banned from cooperation with ICE unless the Feds have done the work previous to arrest of illegal.... the Feds will not want this blade to cut both ways.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

We need real musicians and lyricists like him today

[@scottburton9701]

Didn't realize how talented Thomas Dolby is.