Category: 80s music

Retro Funk Double Shot of the Day

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After a hard week of school or navigating through cubicle hell, it’s nice to know you can reach back to the classics of a simpler time to get you into the right mood for the coming weekend. Allow me to create that mood for you right now.

First up, Rene & Angela’s “I’ll Be Good” which is the embodiment of all things good about 80’s R&B. Released in 1985 by this former husband and wife duo, it peaked and number 4 on the U.S. R&B charts but remains one of my prized possessions on pristine 12″ vinyl.

Next up is a classic from 1979 by the Brothers Johnson. This band was made up of a bunch of brothers and a cousin who had originally played for the likes of Billy Preston, The Supremes and were Quincy Jones main go to guys for a time.

“Stomp” was released in 1979 and shot to number 1 on both the U.S. Dance and R&B charts. The group had an on again off again relationship over the years and still perform from time to time and recently teamed up for a tour with Ray “Ghostbuster” Parker JR and Cherrelle. Interesting note, Louis Johnson played bass on Michael Jackson’s Thriller album – I told you they were Quincy’s go to guys didn’t I?

Retro Christmas Video of the Day – Do They Know It’s Christmas

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In 1984, a very selfless thing happened in London that profoundly changed how music is used for good. Bob Geldof recruited a bunch of his industry friends and along with Midge Ure wrote a song to be used to raise money for starving people of Africa. The song was recorded under the name Band-Aid and was made up of a collection of the biggest pop talent of that time.


Along with Bob and Midge, some other artists who lent their talents included, Paul Young, Duran Duran, U2, Phil Collins, Paul Weller, Heaven 17, Banarama, Culture Club, Kool and the Gang, Sting, Spandou Ballet, George Michael, Jodie Watley, some dudes from Big Country and a freak called Marilyn ripping off Boy George’s shtick. Even David Bowie left a personal message on the extended remix of the song.



The video, as expected, got massive air play and did raise a lot of money for the cause that led to a multi-country Live-Aid concert and American artists to do their own song under the name U.S.A. for Africa and Canadia artists under the name Northern Lights. It also propelled Bob Geldof as the poster child for famine relief and also led to a Nobel prize and a Knighthood from the Queen (the real one – not the band).

Honestly, Bob deserves nothing but praise for his efforts but as expected, he also became a target. He couldn’t have a meal in a restaurant without some reporter asking him how it felt to eat with so many people starving in the world. What the hell is wrong with people? Bob did more for charity in one day than most people do in a lifetime. Think about that as you go for seconds this Christmas.


Retro Christmas Video Bonus !! (sorry for the Yoko)

Retro Video of the Day – Max Headroom’s Christmas Classic

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Need a break from all the sappy Christmas music that is no doubt following you around everywhere you go these days as you prepare for the magic of Christmas while draining your savings account? Search no further – Max Headroom is back to bring you some retro joy.


Remember him? If your a retro fan then you are aware of the odd phenomenon from the mid 80s that spawned a bit of a craze. With technology becoming a bigger part of our lives and video technology pushing new boundaries, the timing was perfect for the emergence of a fictional artificial intelligence doing his thing on a video screen.

Max Headroom got his start as British TV series but became better known thanks to a video by Art of Noise that featured him performing for “Paranoimia”. That led to a gig as a spokesman (spokesgraphic ? spokesimage ? spokesthingy ?) or talking head for New Coke that helped propel Max into the public conscienceness.

Due to his popularity, Chrysalis released a Christmas song featuring Max singing “Merry Christmas Santa Claus” with his trademark stutter and quirky delivery.

Retro Video of the Day – Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone

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In keeping with the whole Tiger’s Wood theme (I mean Tiger Woods), let’s go back and visit a Canadian tiger from back in the 80s.

Glass Tiger’s breakout hit from 1986, “Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone” featured Bryan Adams doing some backup work many classic hallmarks of cheesy 80’s videos. Big hair – check, pastels and shoulder pads – check, gimmicky sets – check, children pretending to play instruments – check, loose story line featuring other children – check?!?! Not sure what the connection with the kids would be but…. there you go.

The song went number one in Canada (naturally) and number 2 in the U.S. (surprisingly) and also charted pretty good in many other countries as well. The band originally called themselves Tokyo which confused some so they changed their name to Glass Tiger and succeeded in confusing everyone else.

This song is pretty much Elin Woods anthem at the moment.

For an unrelated Tiger experience, click the picture below to play the Tiger Woods Outrun flash game. Hope all those girls were worth it Tiger – somehow, I doubt it.

Retro Video of the Day – Land of Hunger

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In keeping with the space invaders theme from the previous post, I thought I’d jog your retro memories with a vintage one hit wonder from 1984 by the Earons. Their hit “Land of Hunger” was an interesting fusion of the electronic Euro sound from the era similar to Kraftwerk and Visage mixed with a bit of a reggae beat and vocal style – or stylie.

The Earons describe themselves as an Astro Funk band (not too many bands in that category I assure you) from Earon Earth and get their inspiration from the cosmic mythology teachings of Sun Ra, an eccentric Jazz musician who claimed to be from Saturn and part of the Angel race that preached peace and love above all. I shit you not. You can’t make this stuff up. He also happened to be one of the first musicians to extensively use electric keyboards and synthesizers in his music.

The Earons themselves all went by numerical stage names which included .28 (vocals), .33 (keyboards), .22 (guitar), .69 (bass) and .18 (drums) which if you add it all up comes to 1.7 which is pretty much the amount of time this song remained at number 1 on the Hot Dance chart in 1984.

Retro Video of the Day – Disco Double Shot

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Being Thursday and oh so close to Friday, I thought I’d treat you all to a double shot of some classic retro Disco that is a little left of the usual Disco standards you normally hear during a Disco radio show or one of those retro nights at a club.

The first is Michael Zager Band’s “Let’s All Chant” from 1978 that reached #1 on the Disco singles chart and also crossed over to the Soul singles chart and made it to #15 and #36 in the Top 100 chart. The classic chant refrain of “ooah ooah” became a popular staple in many clubs during the 90’s and can still be heard today during many a retro set.

The second track is Kano’s “I’m Ready” from 1979. It’s one of those tracks you’ve heard samples of in other tunes but could never quite put your finger on it. The most recognizable track the melody was sampled for was Tag Team’s “Whooomp! (There It Is)” from 1993.
The Kano classic was the brainchild of a couple of Italian producers that helped form the basis of the new Italo-Disco genre from that era that was basically a blending of Disco and Funk. It was also an instant Break-Dance classic that helped paved the way for what is now Hip-Hop. It peaked at #21 on the R&B charts in the U.S. Can you remember roller skating to this one? Enjoy!

Retro Video Bonus !!

Retro Video of the Day – Lips Like Sugar

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There are some bands that the minute you hear their music takes you straight back to the 80s and yet their music still holds up well in this era. Echo and the Bunnymen are one of those bands. They formed in Liverpool in 1978 and the original lineup included three members and a drum machine until 1980 when they recruited a real drummer. They chose the name because they wanted something that sounded kind of stupid – mission accomplished.

They released a number of great albums all with decent critical acclaim and a few classic hits per disc but the biggest and most memorable tracks have been The Cutter, The Killing Moon, Silver, Seven Seas and Bring on the Dancing Horses which was used on the soundtrack for John Hughes’ “Pretty in Pick” which is one killer soundtrack and a must for all retro lovers.

Retro Video Bonus !!

Retro Video of the Day – So Long

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There are many songs (and groups for that matter) from the 80s that may have flew under the radar in North America while enjoying decent success in other countries. Fischer-Z was one of those groups and “So Long” was one of those songs.

Fischer-Z was formed in 1979 in Britain and released nine albums until their split in 2002. The founder and lead singer, John Watts went on to do some solo stuff but never reached the same level of success he did with Fischer-Z.

Though they had some hits in the U.K., Portugal, Belgium and Germany, their biggest success was in Australia with a couple of top 20 hits including the song “So Long”. It was this success that has confused some to thinking they were actually an Australian band.

The video below for “So Long” featured some classic 80s video standards like bad lip syncing, misty atmospheric vibe, a cheap Humphrey Bogart look-a-like, and cheesy interpretation of the story line. Having said that – that’s what made the videos from the 80s so memorable.

One other interesting note – John Watts lyrics were heavily influenced from his experiences as a mental health care worker. Kind of explains the pain you feel in the lyrics when you listen to this one. Seriously under-rated track from way back.

Retro Vibe Ad of the Day – Cadbury Dairy Milk

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There is no no doubt that many of the creative people behind many of the ads we see and hear on TV and radio today are Retro kids from the 70s and 80s. You don’t have to go too far for proof.

Today’s example, the Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate TV ad featuring the electro funk classic, “Don’t Stop The Rock” from Freestyle. I think it’s a good ad since it resonates with me because of the music and it’s goofy enough that you’ll be talking about it but it took me a few views to finally remember what product the ad was actually about. Not so good as far as advertising goes.

Still – how many of you forgot about this song until you saw it on the Cadbury ad? Retro lives!!

Retro Video of the Day – Tenderness

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One of the good things that came out of the break up of Ska wonderkids “The English Beat” in 1983 was the formation of “General Public” by two of the former members. Although originally made up of former members of The Clash, The Specials and Dexy’s Midnight Runners, in the end it was only Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger that endured.

Their biggest hit was Tenderness off their first album from 1984, “All The Rage”. It managed to reach #11 in Canada and #27 in the U.S. Although they managed a few more hits over the years, including songs on some well known 80s movies like Weird Science and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, they never matched the same success. Dave still tours as the English Beat and plays General Public tracks but ol’ Roger called it quits for good.