Thomas Dolby's new gig: ringtone producer

It could be worse. As a washed-up 80s pop star, Thomas Dolby could be playing Vegas piano bars for change. Instead, he's recording ringtones, and has been pretty successful at it, according to The Wall Street Journal. Not only has Dolby written or arranged hundreds of tones, but it turns out he's the man behind "Gran Vals," also known as The Incredibly Annoying Default Nokia Ringtone (to be fair, Dolby didn't write it; he just did the polyphonic arrangement). Still, we suspect that deep down, Dolby would rather be making the big bucks playing the nostalgia circuit like fellow 80s stars Duran Duran. Oh, and for the record, he still has nothing to do with Dolby Labs.

[Neil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Thomas Dolby also created a music system for games, where dynamically created music, would add suspense and atmosphere depending on the situation, and the characters actions. He was supposed to have been making loads off of that. As well as doing the odd dodgy VR installation piece of artwork.

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The old myth was that he was the son of the creator of the Dolby noise-reduction process. Actually, Dolby is a nickname; his real name is Thomas Robertson.

[Dale @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

All kidding aside, I still HIGHLY recommend checking out 'The Flat Earth', 'Aliens Ate My Buick', and Astronauts & Heretics'. . . . great tunes. Dolby was always underrated and a bit under the mainstream. I'm glad someone I like is making money off this bizarre ring-tone economy, at least.

[WizarDru @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

And shame on Engadget for not mentioning his involvement in Beatnik. Dolby's always been a geek, at the forefront of wireless technologies and the like. Most of his appearances in the last few years have been at places like Comdex, Websphere and Nokia conference.

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Dolby is actually a musical genius, and makes his living as one of the most successful composers of jingle ads. You might not of like his 'science' in the 80's but the man knows music.

[Gumse @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Don't forget the signed,numbered, limited edition album "Forty".
Recorded live on his fortieth birthday party.
(I have number 458)

[Graeme @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Wasn't he one of the founders of Beatnik? There was a time when their audio engine was used in a load of Symbian devices.

[Graeme @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Oops, just noticed that someone mentioned this already.

[Billy Kincaid @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Why oh why doesn't Nokia come with a ringtone of "She Blinded Me With Science"? That was my favorite jam.

[Jeremy Holloway @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I object to the comment that Duran Duran is riding the "nostalgia circuit." Do people claim the Rolling Stones are always riding the nostalgia circuit? There is a big difference between washed-up bands appearing at county fairs and bands with longevity that continue producing new albums.

[Joey Geraci @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Yes, Duran Duran is still producing pretty good songs. "Reach for the sunshine" is all over xm, I don't know if that says something about duran duran or xm....

[MikeD @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Dolby is hardly just a "washed-up 80s pop star". He's had a lucrative business for years creating nextgen music products and business models.

[The Director @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

What a fucking looser.

It is a shame to see you Americans still beeing sooo '98. Grow the fuck up. Who the hell is using ring tones today? All new cell phones, except those neutered by Cingular or Verizon, can use MP3s as ring tones and then there are the "chaku uta" coming soon.

Only loosers care about ring tones.

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I think you mean loser, loser.

[Ralph @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

"Dolby is hardly just a "washed-up 80s pop star". He's had a lucrative business for years creating nextgen music products and business models."

Agreed.

[Groan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

http://www.handphones.info/polyphonic-ringtone/she-blinded-me-with-science.html

[The Director @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Noope. I'm a kewl 1337.

[Trejkaz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Is there a bee in here? I think I hear buzzing. "Business models" indeed.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

You should be careful using the words "washed up". Reserve it for those who deserve it. Not Thomas Dolby.

[Josh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

First he blinds us with science, and then he deafens us with that dang ringtone! I'll get you Thomas Dolby! I'll geeet youuuuuu!!!

[Charlie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Thomas Dolby is an awesome artist -- full stop. His albums are among the most inspired out there (check out Flat Earth for starters).
To refer to him as a washed up 80s musician is not fair, we are not talking about a cheese-ball here.