Robert Etoll (born July 20, 1953) is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, music producer, sound designer, and film composer. He is best known for his work as a composer and producer through his company, Q-Factory Music.
Early life Etoll was born and raised in Troy, New York. He began guitar lessons at age seven at Miller's Music and later at the Troy Music Academy. During his teenage years, he also studied piano. He graduated from Lansingburgh High School.
His first band, The Marlins — later renamed Sweet Silence — performed at local CYO and high school dances, block parties, and other community events. In 1971, the group won a local battle of the bands competition and opened for The Grass Roots at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Etoll later attended Berklee College of Music, where he studied guitar performance, composition, and arranging.
Career While studying at Berklee, Etoll joined an established horn band that later became Back Bay Brew, a funk-rock-soul group that toured from Boston down the eastern seaboard to Florida. After the group disbanded, he moved to Los Angeles in 1976, where he worked as a session musician and toured Europe with renowned drummer, Alphonse Mouzon.
By the late 1980s, Etoll had signed as a songwriter with Warner Chappell Music and later MCA Music Publishing. His songs were recorded by various artists including The Pointer Sisters, Reba McEntire, and Akina Nakamori.
In addition to songwriting and music production, Etoll composed music for films, documentaries, television series, and game shows. He also served for 18 years as the house composer for Cessna Aircraft, creating music and sound design for corporate campaigns.
A director of one of the films he scored invited Etoll to compose a 30-second television spot for The Godfather Part III for Paramount Pictures, set to air during the Super Bowl. The project marked his entry into music composition and sound design for the trailer industry. Soon after, Etoll founded Q-Factory Music.
Etoll contributed as a music producer and composer for the Japanese animated television series Zoids. He also provided music for the game show Lingo.
During the 1990s, Etoll taught Music for Film and Television for UCLA Extension.
Film and television work
Film scores YearTitleRoleRef1987The Danger ZoneComposer1987Vampire at MidnightComposer1989Danger Zone II: Reaper's RevengeComposer1990Danger Zone III: Steel Horse WarComposer1993Running CoolComposer1994Death RidersComposer1994Would You Kindly Direct Me to Hell?: The Infamous Dorothy ParkerComposer2001Never Say Never Mind: The Swedish Bikini TeamComposer2002–2007LingoComposer
Additional music YearTitleRoleRef1987Vampire at MidnightScore performer1992To Protect and ServeMusic supervisor2003Before We Ruled the EarthAdditional music2003Dinosaur PlanetAdditional music, composer2005Avia Vampire HunterMusic2006Monster HouseTrailer music composer2015–Disney anthology television seriesProducer (Heaven's Triumph)2018Die 1000 Glotzböbbel vom Dr. MabuseMusician2023Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant MayhemComposer (promotional music)2025Enigma Black StageProducer (Q-Factory Music; Frolicking Mayhem)
Soundtrack contributions YearTitleContributionRef1987The Danger ZoneLyrics & music (Bad Men Ridin, etc.)1987Vampire at MidnightLyrics & music (Midnight Kiss, Steppin' Right, etc.), Performer1987Super 88Writer (Every Body Tells a Story)1988MartikaWriter (It's Not What You're Doing)1988Femme Fatale (Akina Nakamori album)Writer (“Paradise Lost (Love Is in Fashion)”, “Move Me (Strictly Confidential)”)1990Viva el espectáculoWriter (Loca tentación)1992Love Songs (Jennifer Love Hewitt album)Writer (“Bedtime Stories”, “First Taste of Love”, “I’ll Find You”, “Listen (To Your Heart)”, “Won’t U B Mine”)1994Exit to EdenPerformer (Why Can't We Live Together), Writer (Lift Me Up)2003Dinosaur PlanetSoundtrack contributor2004The Princess Diaries 2: Royal EngagementWriter (Genovia Fight Song)2008First Blood Part II: How to Become Rambo Part 2Writer (Urban Soul)2009A Single ManWriter (Moon Over Manhattan)2012Piranha 3DDWriter, Performer (Head Banger)2025SaipanPerformer (True Believer)
Discography YearTitleRef2010Sound Design, Volume 52012Final Reckoning2012Quest – An Epic Dark Adventure2014Chemical Rage2015Story of Life – Uplifting Hopeful Music2015Rage – Dark Industrial Rock2015Shadows from Beyond2019Emotiva (String Quartet)2022Black and White – Emotional Piano2022Wondrous Labyrinth2024Dilemma2024Final Glory
References
External links Official website Q-Factory Music