80s
The Bangles “Different Light” Album Review
Hard to believe it was 35 years ago we all learned how to “Walk like an Egyptian.” Life seemed so much more carefree back then. Of course most of us were kids and didn’t know CONTINUE READING…
Music
A1
Frampton Comes Alive Review
Peter Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive album was released January 6, 1976. One of the great parts of retro blogging is looking back further than my own childhood. This is an album that has been out CONTINUE READING…
Articles
‘2000 Miles’ by The Pretenders
“2000 Miles” was released in November of 1983 and would later be included on the band’s 1984 album Learning to Crawl. It was the first single and album by the new Pretenders line-up reconstituted after the deaths CONTINUE READING…
80s
Nena’s ’99 Luftballons’ German and English Translations
Way back in 1983, a German band released their debut album which contained a single that would eventually take the world by storm. The band Nena took its name from the nickname and stage name of their female CONTINUE READING…
A2
I Want My (Network) TV! – Music Video Premieres in Prime Time
This past Wednesday, while I was listening to The Retro Network’s WIZARDS podcast, something in the “Wave Rider” segment tickled my eardrums with recognition. It also reminded me of a big trend that occurred primarily CONTINUE READING…
Essay
#MustSee: 10 Can’t Miss Music Documentaries
I love live music. Small venue, big venue. Iconic bands or just local bands playing good music. One thing this stupid pandemic has stolen from all of us is the abilities to see bands live. CONTINUE READING…
Essay
My New Kids on the Block Experience
When you talk to a woman who was either a pre-teen or teenager during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, they are either going to have one reaction or another to the mention of New CONTINUE READING…
80s
‘State of Shock’: Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger and more
Most remember the duets “The Girl is Mine” and “Say Say Say” between Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. Some people now know, but many people also do not know that between 1981 and 1983 the CONTINUE READING…
80s
Bang Your Head: The Hard Rock and Heavy Metal of 1983
As we’re walking through the music of the 1983 Billboard charts every Wednesday, we would be remiss if we didn’t take a minute and recognize the contributions made by hard rock and heavy metal bands CONTINUE READING…
Music
Music Television: Too Much Is Never Enough! (Book Review)
August 1, 1981. 12:01 AM. That’s when the world changed. “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.” MTV debuts on cable TV (which at the time had only about 25 channels) with little to no fanfare. CONTINUE READING…
80s
Top Songs from the ’80s with Guy Names in the Title
Following up on our recent feature Top Songs from the ’80s with Girl Names in the Title, it was only fair to provide a similar list for the opposite sex. While there certainly are many CONTINUE READING…
80s
Top Songs from the ’80s with Girl Names in the Title
There is an episode of Family Guy in which “Stewie” is lamenting about a girl and writing a song to express his emotions. “Brian” came in to witness it and comments on how unoriginal it CONTINUE READING…
80s
‘We Are the World’ by USA for Africa
For this issue, we revisit the original “We Are the World” charity single which was penned by Lionel Richie with the late, great Michael Jackson and co-produced by Quincy Jones. The final recording by 46 CONTINUE READING…
80s
Top Songs from the ’80s with EYE in the Title (+Bonus ’80s Eye Quiz)
When I was a kid, I incorrectly assumed that the phrase “The Ides of March” was “the eyes of March”. I later learned the real meaning, but like many misheard song lyrics, I always chuckle CONTINUE READING…
Essay
Valentines Mix Tape: Hair Band Edition
I had to make a choice for this playlist. With hair bands, you can go two different directions: sexy and suggestive or love and romance. I opted for the latter. It ballooned to 16 songs CONTINUE READING…
