Thomas Dolby

Nerdy-cute Thomas Dolby became an unlikely 1980s icon thanks to his unique presence in MTV videos, and his penchant for catchy synth hooks and danceable programmed beats. The keyboardist/programmer got his start in the late '70s with Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club (featuring future Buggles Trevor Horn and Geoffrey Downes), and quickly established himself as a sideman of distinction, crafting memorable synthesizer parts for a diverse array of pop and rock acts. His own albums struck just the right chord with U.S. audiences of the early '80s who seemed to crave new-wave quirkiness with a video-friendly veneer. As the '80s and '90s progressed, Dolby focused more on production (for Joni Mitchell, among others) and film scores, releasing the occasional remix, compilation, or live album.