Every Day They Read the Books: Allusive Artists of the 80s
As a high school English teacher, I love me some allusions, those literary “shout-outs” to other texts. And as a 1980s devotee, I really appreciate 80s artists that use allusions, since it gives me an excuse to play classic tunes in class and unleash my obsession on a new, unsuspecting generation. With the new school year underway, I thought I would present my list of ten allusive 80s artists, whose works include significant...
When Don Met Bruce 25 Years Ago: “The End of the Innocence”
By Mark Dursin “Words and music.” Those three words (accompanied by a “fingers crossed” hand gesture) was Eddie Wilson’s mantra in the 1983 film Eddie and the Cruisers. For Eddie, those three words summed up the magic that happens when just the right lyric matches up with just the right melody. In the film, shy lyricist — and future English teacher — Frank “Wordman” Ridgeway (Tom Berenger) provides the poetry, which Eddie...
You Mean These 10 Acts Have Number One Songs… and Bruce Springsteen Doesn’t?
By Mark Dursin The gang at Cheers routinely groaned when Cliff Clavin would share one of his “little known facts” (e.g. “It’s a little known fact that the tan became popular during the Bronze Age”). But the pontificating postman was merely preparing his drinking buds for life in the erudite 80s — the decade when Trivial Pursuit debuted, when Alex Trebek first condescended to contestants on Jeopardy,...
Air Supply’s Greatest Hits – The Soundtrack of 80s Love
By Lori Ferraro There’s nothing in the world like a super-sappy love song. Well . . . there is one thing that’s better . . . a super-sappy 80s love song. We had Chicago and “hello” . . . we had Lionel Richie. But if you truly wanted to bawl your eyes out because you were falling in love or falling out of love, this was the cassette tape you were listening to: Air Supply’s Greatest Hits was a soft rock power ballad powerhouse. With...
Interview with Andrew Golub
Andrew (Durandy) Golub has amassed the largest collection of Duran Duran posters in the world, and lucky for us he did. Released just before Christmas, “Beautiful Colors” features this impressive collection and is a must have for any Duran Duran fan. The hardback book is beautifully done and takes the reader on a visual history of the band. His poster collection has been showcased at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and included in an...
Boy George Makes a Comeback
By Mark Dursin It happened before our very eyes: the 1980’s most astounding case of Missing Persons. And when I say “Missing Persons,” I’m not talking about the early ’80s band responsible for the songs “Words” and “Destination Unknown.” I’m talking about another ’80s band, a slightly more successful one. In fact, thirty years ago, this band was quite possibly the hottest act in...
Going Down Under in the 80s
To 80s kids, Australia was nothing short of magical. It had exotic animals, beautiful scenery, beaches—and the seasons were, like, reversed. We dreamed of visiting and hanging out with kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. As an added bonus, Australian accents were totally fun to attempt. From literature to movies to fashion, Oz rocked. Here’s an LT80s look back at how our cultural crush on Australia developed during the 80s, from...
7 80s Bands Touring In 2013
February 22, 2013 By Jason Kane Are you feeling nostalgic for the 80s? Perhaps, you are really craving some live action from one of your favorite bands from that era? Well, if you are, then you are in good company. Additionally, over the past few years there have been many reunions and tours consisting of bands from the past twenty and thirty years. In fact, there are a decent number of bands from the 80s that are touring in 2013. Let...
Not-So-Deep Thoughts as I Approach 40: Perspective and Robert Palmer
I am within a scant two weeks of the big 4-0, and it has me in a reflective mood. I will warn you in advance that these reflections are not particularly profound, just the musings that come out of the holy-moly-how-can-I-be-40 thought train. The first has to do with perspective and Robert Palmer. I recently re-watched some of his music videos from the 80s. I remember clearly when I first saw him; I was in the 8th grade, and it was the...
1980s Movie Mt. Rushmore Part III: Kenny Loggins
By Michael Nazarewycz This is the third article of a 4-part series that will look at those people most influential on movies in the 1980s. Click here to read Part I: John Hughes and Part II: The Brat Pack. The movie soundtrack was born in the 1930s, became popular with the musicals of the 1950s, and produced two supernovas in the 1970s: Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978). But only the 1980s could take the conventional...
Whitney Houston: In Memoriam
By Michael Nazarewycz When someone famous passes, particularly when it happens at an age that is decades before we might be less surprised by it, we are often left to ask “What if …?” The question wonders what other works the artist would have created if he/she had lived. The names of the people about whom we have asked this question – even if we limit the list only to those who left their fingerprints in the 1980s –...
Grape Nuts and My Crush on John Denver
It all started back in the late 70s and early 80s. I’m not sure when I first fell in love with John Denver – whether it was the appearances on the Muppet Show or his roles in the “Oh God” movies, but somewhere along the way I developed a serious crush on this man. I have forever since been a sucker for guys in glasses. My swim coach could do a mean “Annie’s Song” on the guitar, and I longed for a trip...
Interview with Nick Richards of Boys Don’t Cry
September 3, 2011 Malibu, CA It was a beautiful day in Southern California as I drove through Malibu on my way to Nick Richards’ house for our interview. As I pulled into the drive, I was greeted with a sign on the gate that reads “Boogie Wonderland.” I took that to be a great start. I found Nick relaxed at home with family and friends in his beautiful retreat. After being greeted by the very friendly New Foundland, we moved to the...
Boy Bands of the 1980s
By Julie Anderson Precise choreography, just-so styling, and bouncy, danceable pop music combined with REALLY cute boys made boy bands irresistible to tween girls in the 80’s. Magazines like Tiger Beat gave us all the lovable personality quirks of each boy so we could pick our favorite crushes, in addition to sweet fold-out posters for our walls. Often, boy bands were assembled by managers or record producers with an eye toward the...
Rock Star / Model Couples of the 80s
By Julie Anderson A Tale as Old as Time… She’s a devastating beauty, paid big bucks to wear expensive clothes and be photographed. It’s fun being gorgeous and all, but she’s looking for some excitement and romance… He’s a successful rock star, whose face and music are known the world over. He’s had his share of groupies, but he’s ready for a steady girlfriend, the younger the better… They meet. Birds sing, shutters...
