The Eighties Online

Ahh the Thompson Twins - iconic 80’s music band. Who could forget Hold Me Now and Doctor! Doctor!

In preparation for this article, I did a bit of research on the band and found a few facts that I did not know about them.

The band, named after the bumbling detectives from Herge’s TinTin, first formed in 1977. Although this site is 80’s based, the band didn’t get famous until the 80’s.

Tom Bailey was a part of the original lineup. Arriving in London, The ‘twins’ had very little money and lived as squatters. Allanah Currie, who joined the Thompson Twins later was also a squatter and that was how they first met. Joe Leeway joined the twins in 1981 when the first album was recorded. Even though Currie had sang on the their first album (a product of…..participation), she was not classed as a full member of the group.

The group became famous by hitting the UK Singles chart and US billboard 100 in 1983 with their songs Lies and Love on your side.

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It was August 1, 1981 when the first all-music video cable TV channel was born.

As the popularity of video programs on some cable and network stations was rising, MTV made history while taking advantage of this trend.

They led off with the 1979 hit “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Trevor Horn-led Buggles (from the album The Age of Plastic).

Among America’s new celebrities were the VJs: Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood, JJ Jackson, Mark Goodman and Alan Hunter.

More would come in later years, but these were the originals. MTV was a huge boon for New Wave music.

Bands quickly learned how to make the most of all the publicity they were getting from their well-produced videos that those

mini-movies turned many songs that would go otherwise unplayed by mainstream radio into major hits.

In a past interview Stan Ridgway referred to MTV’s role in Wall of Voodoo’s success as people who saw the videos called radio stations requesting artists like them, Missing Persons, The Little Girls, Berlin and others that they were “forced to play them” (When I was doing all-talk radio, I would always say that the market should decide what’s played instead of a bunch of industry suits and their inadequate “market tests”).

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The new album from Rick Springfield, “Venus in Overdrive”, is available now! With a collection of 100% original songs, this album should prove to be a nice reprise of that 80s feel of songs like Jessie’s Girl and I’ve Done Everything for You.

Springfield’s music is pretty straight forward, but he’s always been a pretty good live performer. the girls love rick too.

What more do you need? A great 80s rock album. Take a listen at I-Tunes and let us know what you think of Rick’s new album.

Rick Springfield Live

Rick Springfield Album Cover Image

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U2: The Rona Elliot Interview
U2 in 1987, their breakout year.
NBC News Onstage

U2 discussing Ireland, their early years, social activism and more in this classic interview from 1987.

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It’s shaping up to be the best summer on record for much live music with many of your favorite 80s stars on Tour. Some acts from the 80s are staging their biggest concert tours ever!

Bon Jovi is set for a record breaking summer tour. Classic 80s Pop icons Human League are joined by Belinda Carlisle, Dead or alive, ABC, A Flock of Seagulls and Naked eyes for The Regeneration Tour, an 80s Pop-Fest that’s going to be hard to beat. Not to be outdone, Cindi Lauper will partner up with The B-52s.

These are just two examples of hot live 80s music you can catch this summer. I already have my tickets for Billy Idol, appearing with band-mate, Steve Stevens at a little brewery in Oregon. This will be the fourth time I’ve seen Billy live. It’s too bad I have to pick and choose. The Journey/Cheap Trick/Heart Tour also sounds good to me!.

Damn! There’s too many to choose from.

Here’s the most complete list I could come up with:

Get your tickets NOW and please let me know if I’ve missed anything or anything is announced later.

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1981 was another banner year at the movies. Many favorite stars from the past were making movies and many great new actors were appearing on the scene.

Some of the little known actors of 1981, such as Denzel Washington, have gone to become “Mega Stars”

Here’s a list of the top 25 box office stars of 1981, some of the top movies of 1981, and promising new actors from that year.

“On Golden Pond” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” are the two movies from 1981 that should be most remembered 27 years later.

So if you’re looking for a movie to rent or download, the movies and stars listed below can be a good place to find one you might have missed or would like to see again.

Top 25 Box Office Stars of 1981

1. Burt Reynolds

“The Cannonball Run”

“Sharkey’s Machine”

2. Clint Eastwood

3. Dudley Moore

“Arthur”

4. Dolly Parton

5. Jane Fonda

“Rollover” Co-Starring Kris Kristofferson

Co Starred in “On Golden Pond” with Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn

6. Harrison Ford

“Raiders of the Lost Ark”

7. Alan Alda

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Madonna is as popular today, if not more so, than she was twenty years ago. Not only is there a continuing interest in Madonna, but critics have recently rated her latest album 5 stars.

Well, the critics may love it, but how about you and I. Myself, being a total 80s kid, I miss the pre-90s Madonna.

But the new Madonna is still breaking social barriers for women and giving girls the hope to break through the glass ceiling to realize their full potential in their creative and work lives. In short, Maddona’s still totally cool!

For new and old Madonna fans, here are a few things you may not have known about one of your favorite stars:

1. Madonna was born Madonna Loise Veronica Ciccone.

2. She was the third child and eldest daughter of lower-middle class Italian American parents Silvio and Madonna.

3. The nickname her father gave her as a child was “Little Noni”.

4. Madonna was born on August 16, 1959 - making her a Leo. The Lion is considered to be generous and warmhearted, creative and enthusiastic, broad-minded and expansive, faithful and loving.

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I just wanted to take a moment with our readers to share our support for Patrick Swayze and his family. We would love to see one of our favorite 80s stars, Mr. Swayze get on with his acting career and to beat the dreaded caner that has so abruptly intruded upon the life of a quiet and generous hollywood star.

Patrick Swayze was on M.A.S.H. very early in his career, which many did not know. Watch for this episode in the reruns and check the credits if you don’t believe me.

Many will remember 1990’s “Ghost” with Demi Moore when thinking of Mr. Swayze, however I enjoyed “Red Dawn” co-starring Lea Thompson the most of all his roles. But, “Dirty Dancing” is really deserving of a place in the top ten movies of the 1980′.

The doctor is optimistic about Mr. Swayze’s chances at a full recovery, according to news reports.

Our hopes for a speedy recovery!

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