portable record player

I love everything about this, especially the song by Manfred Mann.

Other groups dug it too:
• The Shapes on Beat-Club, 1966
• The Everly Brothers, 1966
• Rod Stewart, 1976
• Elvis Costello and friends, late 80s

WABC in NYC

From December 1960 to May 1982, WABC in New York City was the definition of Top 40 radio. It was the most influencial music radio station of its day and had the power to make hit records. Check out the website music radio 77 and listen to the actual deejays, jingles, promos, contests, slogans, commercials and music. What a gas to hear what rock radio sounded like from the 1960s through the 80s.

Saturday morning dose of the 80s

Don't ask me because I'm not telling. My lips are sealed.

school dances

As a teenager in the late 70s and early 80s, my school threw lots of dances and I attended most of them. After the 7th grade, we stopped having dances in the gym to preserve the floor. They were then held in the cafeteria and the resident deejay was Mr. Taylor, one of the teachers. Every time I hear Cars by Gary Numan, I remember how impressed I was that he played this cool, weird, new-wavish song at a dance in the fall of 1979. Satisfaction was always played even though it was 15-years-old. Stairway to Heaven was usually the last song.

Boston's WBCN

As a teenager in the late 1970s and early 80s, radio stations were my window to the world. During junior high after getting a clock radio for my bedroom, JB105 out of Rhode Island was my favorite for pop music. In the 9th grade while briefly diggin' hard rock, WAAF in Worcester, MA did it for me. During the 10th grade, WCOZ was very popular and many kids wore COZ t-shirts to school. But in the 11th grade, I discovered WBCN and was obsessed. My parents bought a new car that year and without permission I slapped a BCN sticker on the bumper. It was 1982 and music was changing. New-wave was becoming big and BCN rotated this new genre into its repertoire. I would travel to Boston to Newbury Comics when there was only one store on Newbury Street to buy my 45s because Strawberries didn't carry the local music I was hearing on BCN. Below, are some of the actual 45s that I bought during that unique time in music history:

WBCN introduced me to Lene Lovich, one of my favs from that era:

Sunday morning 80s flashback

shake, shake, shake

Last weekend a friend and I put on our boogie shoes and headed to Bally's in Rhode Island to see one of my favorite bands. What a humble and grateful person KC is. I loved how much he let his incredible band shine. His career started with writing Rock Your Baby in 1974 inspiring John Lennon to create Whatever Gets You Thru the Night. In the 70s and early 80s, one of the best ways to see bands and singers was on the Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas Shows. They both aired everyday from 4-5. Here's KC and the Sunshine Band in 1977.
 

totally gnarly 80s flashback

Here's a rate-a-record segment circa 1984 complete with scaredos and cheesebag commercials. I give it a 20. Whoooooooaaaaahhhhh!

Saturday morning dose of the 80s

While Bette Midler is being held after her kidnapping, there's nothing to do but work out. For best results, be consistent like the turtles.

I'm crying

Saturday Night Live spoofs 70s and 80s acts on Soul Train.