Can it be happening? Is the era of the Walkman, big hair, leg warmers and shoulder pads once more upon us? I say this because the Tears for Fears show at the Big Dome was a huge success. The cast of Glee is singing the songs of Madonna. There is an upcoming movie about Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. There is a new batch of artists singing a new version of We Are The World, for Haiti this time, instead of Africa. New acts are paying tribute to the likes of Hall & Oates. Of course, there is no sense dreaming of another Michael Jackson visit anymore. But there are indeed talks that Darry Hall and John Oates might indeed be coming over for a show, as well as the Pet Shop Boys and maybe a reunited Spandau Ballet or even Prince or U2 or for the umpteenth time Bon Jovi.
The ‘80s was a sparkling revolution. After the pared down ‘70s and the oh too rugged punk dressing of the bands, think AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Genesis, Jefferson Starship, the newbies of the next decade went on a costume feast. It was like an act of defiance that shocked their elders but which has remained a huge influence of pop stars up to this time. Remember MJ with those military jackets that upstaged royalty. What about Madonna with her bared navel and Marilyn Monroe video. There were also Prince in his spangled suits, Cher and those peek-a-boo jumpsuits, Bono in vest and hat and those New Romantic heartthrobs like Spandau Ballet, Orchestral Manoevres in the Dark and Duran Duran in their ruffles and lace.
It was the decade of the music video. MTV introduced the medium with the prophetically titled tune Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles and pop music was never the same again. Artists cannot just sing anymore, they also have to learn how to act and look good for the camera. I recall the interesting videos created by Madonna, Boy George, Olivia Newton John and others. But nobody made them like Michael Jackson did. Thriller, which was actually a short film set the standards by which all the videos that came after, and I mean up to this day, were measured.
It was the time when CDs started taking over the domain long held by the 12-inch vinyl long play albums and the audio cassettes. Theirs was a slow death but it has finally happened. Diehard audiophiles might still treasure their turn tables which are now mainly used by scratching DJs but everybody else prefers the CDs which are more versatile, you can play them and copy them almost anywhere. They are easier to store and not as sensitive to frequent use and the elements. The first CD album ever released was 52nd Street by Billy Joel and it was launched in Japan. Don’t ask why. I guess the reason was they did have superior music technology at that time. Come to think of it though, the arrival of the CD also brought in large scale piracy to the music industry.
It was the time when music became more politically aware and came out to help. This began with Bob Geldoff’s Do They Know It’s Christmas in the UK that became the 16-hour touring show Live Aid and provided Harry Belafonte the inspiration to do We Are The World in America. There was also the touring Amnesty International show of various stars that championed human rights and Hands Across America for the homeless in the US. It was the time when John Lennon died and killed the idea of a Beatles reunion forever. Cat Stevens converted to the Muslim faith. Wham sang in China and Billy Joel did a concert in Russia.
And we also remember the ‘80s whenever we hear Lost In Your Eyes by Debbie Gibson; Eternal Flame by the Bangles; Forever Your Girl by Paula Abdul; Like A Prayer by Madonna; I’ll Be Loving You Forever by New Kids On the Block; Could Have Been by Tiffany; Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley; Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi; The Greatest Love Of All by Whitney Houston; Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon; Careless Whisper by Wham!; I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner; Take A Look At Me Now by Phil Collins; Footloose by Kenny Loggins; I Just Called To Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder; Karma Chameleon by the Culture Club; What’s Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner; Flashdance by Irene Cara; Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler; Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor; Hard To Say I’m Sorry by Chicago; and anything from MJ‘s Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad etc., etc.