Rob Hubbard - Commodore 64 and Video Game Music Legend Gets Official Biography

A Kickstarter to fund an official biography, more chipmusic, and the aim of the first symphonic concert devoted to 8-bit music.

BROMLEY, UNITED KINGDOM, October 9, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Like the Commodore 64¹ itself, recently revived again with the C64 Mini, Rob Hubbard³ is a legend. And legends deserve a book.

A Kickstarter for Rob's official biography has been launched by C64Audio.com, which also includes new C64 tunes, and gives Rob a starring role in a new Commodore 64 game. It also attempts to set in motion a symphonic concert called "8-Bit Symphony" with the London Symphony Orchestra ("Star Wars", "Indiana Jones").

As a legendary name in Western 1980s game music, Rob was a driving force behind the explosion in the quality of video game music from 1985 onwards. Games were bought because of his music. Careers blossomed because of the innovation he brought to the industry.

He composed and programmed the Commodore 64, the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, NES, Megadrive/Genesis, MSX, Atari 8-bit, Tandy PC Jr, 3DO, PC and mobile, reaching millions.

Both technically and musically, he pushed the envelope, and inspired thousands into careers in the British Software Industry. A 1986 Golden Joystick award for his seminal tune “Sanxion” is only scratching the surface, and thanks to exposure in magazines such as Newfield’s Zzap!64, he became a reluctant rock-star.

A move to Electronic Arts in 1988 kickstarted decade’s worth of innovation in music.

The lead author of the book is Dr. Kenny McAlpine at the University of Abertay. He is the country’s foremost specialist in chipmusicology, and is well placed to explain why Rob’s music and sound-design for games such as “Commando”, “Crazy Comets”, “Monty on the Run” and “Thing on a Spring” were so memorable that they are being enjoyed and remixed over 30 years later.

The book also covers his biography, softography and technology, as well as his impact on culture and fans, many of whom attribute their careers to him.

New Commodore 64 chiptunes announced

The Kickstarter opens the door to 10 new, but still vintage chiptunes (SIDs). This has been the holy grail for Rob Hubbard fans for almost 30 years since he left the Commodore 64 behind. The tunes can be played on a real Commodore 64, but are also audio tracks as part of an album called “Alt-SIDs”.

Composed by Rob, and with Rob’s distinctive sound-design, Rob is teaming up with another legend: Jason Page, who made his name at Graftgold, developers of Uridium. Formerly of Sony Entertainment, he is now working at Unity. He has become a chiptune legend in his own right.

8-Bit Symphony

The “Jewel in the Crown” stretch goal is to be able to book a full orchestral concert with the London Symphony Orchestra (Star Wars, Harry Potter) at the Barbican in London, the first ever symphonic concert devoted entirely to 8-bit music. An additional concert dedicated to Rob’s own music is also a goal.


The Kickstarter is live now and runs until November 5th @ 10pm GMT.
Kickstarter URL: http://www.projecthubbard.com

Chris Abbott
High Technology Publishing Ltd.
+44 208 464 2295
email us here

WATCH NOW: Project Hubbard - Kickstarter Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2wjIK-yi_c

¹ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64
² http://www.c64audio.com
³ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Hubbard