2019-12-24 07:13
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Retro-awesomeness (an 80s Blog) Blog
retroawesomeness.blogspot.com
A blog devoted to pop culture nostalgia, especially for the awesome '80s
2019-12-24 07:00
Happy Holidays!!Merry Christmas!!Happy Hannukah!!Come check out more Vaporwave, '80s Retro, and Nostalgia at my other site: Oblivion Foodcourthttps://oblivionfoodcourt.tumblr.com/post/189782… Read More
2019-12-07 00:41
This is a re-post of a post originally appearing on December 17, 2011.One of my recently acquired Christmas obsessions is the fun and enjoyable 1983 movie A Christmas Story. Based… Read More
2019-11-01 16:43
One of my favorite '80s movies is a somewhat forgotten sci-fi flick from 1985 called Explorers. Explorers was part of a plethora of hopeful, positive sci-fi movies that came i… Read More
2019-10-19 22:15
Halloween is approaching, and thoughts turn to things scary and spooky. . . and horror.Those of us who grew up in the 1980s and were into horror movies remember Freddy Krueger. The ghoulish… Read More
2019-09-21 16:46
The '80s were an era full of wonderful sci-fi movies. One great little movie that has developed a solid cult following is The Last Starfighter, a 1984 movie which exemplified the '80s i… Read More
2019-08-09 16:35
Some of my most pleasant memories of being a teen in the '80s came from some of the better teen movies which flourished at that time. Foremost among the creators of this genre of moviem… Read More
2019-07-26 22:13
The 1980s was a great time for music, in part because there was just so much of it. So much variety... music of all kinds, and usually with a quirky and fun twist: New Wave, classic rock, Sp… Read More
2019-07-20 15:01
https://oblivionfoodcourt.tumblr.com/post/186422954040/john-taylor-daily-duran-duran-introtheCheck out the Duran Duran concert at the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Apollo 11 moon land… Read More
2019-07-19 10:37
https://oblivionfoodcourt.tumblr.com/post/186396521445In honor of the Apollo 11 moon landing anniversary, I re-posted some moon landing photo montages onto my other blog, Oblivion Foodcourt… Read More
2019-06-23 14:15
II've developed an interest in Vaporwave, a 2010's music and cultural genre which is inspired by the styles of the 1980s and a sense of retro nostalgia. I recently put together a Vaporw… Read More
2019-06-07 18:10
This is a re-post of a post which originally appeared September 29, 2011.When I was a teen, growing up in the '80s, one of my most comforting memories was of the opening credits to the popul… Read More
2019-05-03 18:12
One of my most enjoyable movies from the '80s is St. Elmo's Fire, the 1984 brat-pack ensemble account of relationships among disparate friends. The movie has sometimes been criticized a… Read More
2019-04-20 21:08
I was looking at this excellent collection of photos of American shopping malls in 1989, and got inspired to re-post my own blog tribute to the American shopping malls of the '70s and '80s… Read More
2019-04-05 18:08
Back in the early '80s, an animated movie came out based on the adult comic magazine Heavy Metal. The 1981 movie, also called Heavy Metal, ultimately would develop a cult fol… Read More
2019-03-01 19:13
This is a re-post of a post originally appearing in 2011.I remember when my parents took me to see E.T., '80s sci-fi classic from Steven Spielberg.The movie came out in June 1982, so th… Read More
2019-02-19 01:06
From Depeche Mode, a quintessentially '80s group with a devoted following, a 1984 song with a message. Read More
2019-02-11 01:24
The Honeydrippers were a band put together by former Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant, who scored a major hit in 1984 with their version of '50s classic "Sea of Love." A suitable retro… Read More
2019-01-31 21:37
The Traveling Wilburys were a late '80s supergroup that included several rock legends: Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, ex-Beatle George Harrison, and ex-ELO Jeff Lynne. Here th… Read More
2019-01-12 15:35
Here's the story behind one of the 80's most relevant songs, "Luka" by folksinger Suzanne Vega. Some very poignant comments.Here's the song, Suzanne Vega's "Luka." Vega, along artists like T… Read More
2019-01-01 15:12
Brian May, guitarist for Queen, is also an astrophysicist who is involved in NASA's New Horizons probe to Pluto and the outer solar system. New Horizons is scheduled to be passing by an… Read More
2018-12-25 14:54
The year 1968 was one when the Vietnam War was raging at its height, there were protests, riots, assassinations and unrest throughout the West, the Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia, and the US… Read More
2018-12-20 15:50
A very '80s Happy Holidays to all Read More
2018-12-14 03:17
Here's some '80s holiday music memories. Band Aid, "Do They Know Its Christmas":A multi-musician effort to raise funds for African famine relief made up of some of the most well-known '… Read More
2018-12-07 20:18
Here's U2 in 1988 performing John Lennon's 1971 classic "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." Its indeed the holiday season again, and a time for joy as well as introspection. I love looking ba… Read More
2018-12-02 20:06
Here's a new Christmas song from '60s pop group/TV stars the Monkees. This song makes me smile for a number of reasons. First, it good to see that the Monkees are still at it all these… Read More
2018-11-22 19:18
The Grateful Dead were a legendary band originating in the Haight-Asbury section of San Francisco during the Summer of Love in 1967. The band developed a devoted cult following throughout th… Read More
2018-11-10 02:55
November 9, 1989 marked a pivotal moment in history, when the fall of the Berlin Wall was picking up momentum. The year 1989 marked the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, the end of totali… Read More
2018-10-06 16:21
The Psychedelic Furs had their roots in the post-punk British music scene in 1977. They evolved into a quintessentially arty '80s band, with a style that consisted of ethereal new wave… Read More
2018-09-11 18:22
Depeche Mode is a classic '80s synth group that has maintained their very '80s new wave style throughout the years, and has developed a strong cult following. Here is their 1981 song "… Read More
2018-08-31 14:44
Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, a classic artist still going strong in the '80s. Here, her classic 1985 hit, "Freeway of Love." Read More
2018-07-21 19:35
John "Cougar" Mellencamp recently won the Woody Guthrie Prize for his work highlighting the common man, including in such songs as "Pink Houses" and through his work organizing Farm Aid… Read More
2018-07-03 00:14
Here's a piece of Americana from the mid '80s, James Brown's "Living in America."A Happy 4th of July to my readers in the U.S.A Read More
2018-06-16 01:12
In the '70s and part of the '80s, my father was an avid watcher of the CBS news magazine show 60 Minutes. This show, still present on TV even today, featured investigative reports and interv… Read More
2018-05-31 13:48
Some of my most pleasant memories of being a teen in the '80s came from some of the better teen movies which flourished at that time. Foremost among the creators of this genre of moviem… Read More
2018-05-11 11:24
My mom used to love the old 1960's era sitcom "That Girl." As Mother's Day is upon us, I want to again pay tribute to my mom. Although we have sometimes disagreed about things, I always knew… Read More
2018-05-04 18:45
Back to the '70s. Happy Star Wars Day to all!!!!! Read More
2018-04-08 22:23
One of my favorite '80s movies is a somewhat forgotten sci-fi flick from 1985 called Explorers. Explorers was part of a plethora of hopeful, positive sci-fi movies that came i… Read More
2018-03-17 02:48
An '80s classic by Phil Collins: the spooky, stirring "In the Air Tonight" Read More
2018-02-25 14:35
The '80s were an era full of wonderful sci-fi movies. One great little movie that has developed a solid cult following is The Last Starfighter, a 1984 movie which exemplified the '80s i… Read More
2018-02-13 01:40
I've posted this one before on a prior Valentines Day, but it just fits so well. Lovely song. For my love Read More
2018-02-03 18:11
Here's a fantastic example from the era of music videos, Billy Ocean's very sci-fi video for "Loverboy." The '80s were the MTV era (when MTV really was "Music Television"), but it was also t… Read More
2018-01-26 19:36
Here's an absolute '80s classic: Simple Minds' "Dont You (Forget About Me)," which was featured in the seminal 1985 John Hughes movie The Breakfast Club. The song always seemed to me t… Read More
2018-01-13 01:54
Some of the best memories of my '70s childhood and '80s adolescence took place in shopping malls. Nowadays there is talk that the age of the shopping mall is passing (although you couldn't t… Read More
2018-01-02 08:28
I'm a major fan of the space exploration. It always gives me hope in the human ability to advance, and even the most mundane space missions seem exciting because . . . its space! … Read More
2017-12-31 16:44
If you can handle one more bit of belated holiday spirit before the new year, here's a wonderfully '80s performance by Band Aid, the '80s super-group of primarily British musicians, of their… Read More
2017-12-21 03:38
This is such a catchy, happy song. Just makes you want to jump into the holidays!! Read More
2017-12-15 02:52
Its become almost a tradition on this blog that every December, I do a post with a bunch of Christmas songs. Its that time of year again, and what a better song to start with than the truly… Read More
2017-12-03 17:58
Okay, I've posted this wonderful 1977 Coca-Cola Christmas commercial several times before, but this year in particular it's message is poignant and true. Look at the idea this clip presents… Read More
2017-11-23 05:05
In 1987, a group of British and American musicians created a single to collect proceeds for charities set up in the aftermath of the Zeebrugge Disaster, the sinking of a British ferry loaded… Read More
2017-10-28 02:47
Very '80s song and video. The very fun throwaway hit from Animotion, "Obsession." I'm not exactly sure of everything going on in this video. Read More
2017-10-19 01:59
Here's another Devo song, "That's Good" from their synth-heavy 1982 album Oh No, Its Devo! This video caused a bit of controversy at MTV. Check it out and see if you can guess why. &nb&hell…Read More
2017-10-14 13:57
On the very cusp on the '80s, the seminal new wave band Devo released this groundbreaking and zany song and video. This was prelude of much more colorful '80s culture to come, and a sign tha… Read More
2017-10-06 01:48
Tom Petty (R.I.P.)A sad loss of a classic musician who died too young. We'll miss you Tom Read More
2017-09-24 12:28
During the early '80s, U2 was a band with a growing cult following, known for its idealistic and sometimes spiritual songs. During the mid to late '80s, U2 became an enormously popular world… Read More
2017-09-10 19:30
For many young people growing up in the '80s, U2 was a band that represented the idealistic side of the decade: the part of the decade that represented hoping for a better world and striving… Read More
2017-09-04 12:56
Happy Labor Day!! To help us celebrate, here's a real blue collar band from the '80s: John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band, with 1983's "On the Dark Side." This song is from the E… Read More
2017-08-31 18:37
I remember this catchy country-pop song, with the funny video from early on in the '80s decade. Juice Newton's "Love's Been A Little Bit Hard On Me." (Thanks and acknowledegment to JuiceNewt… Read More
2017-08-25 23:05
An '80s classic: "The Safety Dance" from Canadian band Men Without Hats.We can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behindCause your friends don't dance and if they don't dan… Read More
2017-08-22 13:08
Here's a very '80s follow up to my post in honor of the solar eclipse. This classic 1983 song, Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler, has suddenly gotten popular with the coming of the… Read More
2017-08-20 03:38
In anticipation of the 2017 solar eclipse, which will take place on Monday, August 21, I am recalling another solar eclipse which occurred during my childhood.In 1979, when I was in fifth g… Read More
2017-08-13 17:08
"The idea that you'd make music with guitars. The idea that you'd make music with long, unscripted and unstructured jams. The idea that you were into 60s garage bands. The idea that you'd pl… Read More
2017-07-29 12:00
1967 "Love" poster by artist Peter MaxThis year marks the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. In 1967, there was an explosion of the hippie counterculture which spread across the the wor… Read More
2017-07-22 16:33
The name Oingo Boingo brings to mind the quirky new wavish '80s for many of us. But the group has a more extensive history. It started back in the early '70s as a performance art group… Read More
2017-07-14 16:19
The Dream Academy is a unique '80s group whose work has included elements of psychedelia, melodic pop, classical music, and ethereal chanting. The combined effect is quite magical. The… Read More
2017-07-09 15:49
I'm feeling like being rebellious and getting into trouble. The problem is that I'm in my 40s, so maybe being bad isn't such a good idea. So, how about the next best thing: listening t… Read More
2017-07-04 15:36
I wish all of my readers in the United States a great Independence Day. In honor of July 4, I am re-posting a post which originally appeared May 21, 2016. Its a post commemorating… Read More
2017-06-30 02:46
Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science from Mad Hatter on Vimeo.Here's one of the more creative videos from MTV's golden age, Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science." The qui… Read More
2017-06-18 03:35
In commemoration of Father's Day, I offer a song that I think is very appropriate: Dan Fogelberg's 1981 tribute to his own father, "The Leader of the Band." This song provides some tender an… Read More
2017-06-15 20:29
In continuing celebration of the 35th anniversary of the classic 1982 movie E.T., the Extra Terrestrial, here are a bunch of E.T.-themed '80s era commercials. As you can see, E.T. was just a… Read More
2017-06-13 22:16
June 11, 2017 was the 35th anniversary of the release of the classic Steven Spielberg movie, E.T., in the United States. This post is in commemoration of that great film, and the era i… Read More
2017-06-08 21:47
Another new wave classic song and video from the early '80s, during the halcyon years of MTV: Berlin synth-heavy "The Metro" (1981). According to Wikipedia:The Berlin recording i… Read More
2017-05-29 20:32
In tribute to Roger Moore, I now post a revised portion of a previous post which originally appeared on December 8, 2012. Bond (James Bond) In The '80sWith James Bon… Read More
2017-05-24 18:51
The Washington SquaresThe '80s is sometimes, rightly, identified with the colorful and quirky new wave musical movement, or perhaps with the hard rock of glam metal, or with any number of va… Read More
2017-05-18 02:22
Here's a music video about music videos. About "playin the guitar on the MTV"Dire Straits' "Money For Nothing" Read More
2017-05-13 14:55
In previous years, I celebrated Mother's Day by celebrating my mom's love of cop and action shows. She also enjoyed comedy, especially the mild, non-edgy, well-meaning kind. She… Read More
2017-05-07 00:05
Here's a video, and song, from the 1980's that contains a story and a message. John Cougar Mellencamp's "Pink Houses," before he discarded the "Cougar" in his name. The messages… Read More
2017-04-29 14:58
Music Video at its most '80s!! This song was on the radio a lot in 1983, at least in the United States. The hairstyle is famous! And the video: classic '80s at its campy w… Read More
2017-04-23 13:15
Actress Erin Moran, most well known for playing Joanie Cunningham in the television sitcom Happy Days, and its spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi, has passed away. Moran also made appea… Read More
2017-04-14 20:37
John Warren "J" Geils Jr., aka "J. Geils," the leader of the band of the same name, has passed on. He and his band will be remembered for their fun-loving rock from the '70s and '80s. … Read More
2017-04-12 02:25
I've gotten the urge to delve into some classic '80s music videos, and the music on those videos. After all, it was a cutting edge art form back then, and unleashed loads of quirky fun.Here… Read More
2017-04-02 05:07
I remember well the opening sequence from Friday Night Videos, a music video program broadcast on NBC round about midnight on Fridays. The show was often a substitute for MTV, giv… Read More
2017-03-04 22:13
I've been reminiscing a lot about my first year in college, and everything about it: how I was back then, what was going on around me, and what was happening in the world… Read More
2017-02-24 04:08
Chopping Mall (1986), "Where shopping costs you an arm and a leg." Loose Screws (1985), "More fun than you can shake your stick at!"Okay, they're both pretty tasteless, but ya gotta adm… Read More
2017-02-14 03:49
For Valentines Day . . . here's a classic '80s ballad.Billy Ocean's beautiful "Suddenly." (1985) Read More
2017-02-06 03:36
Bud Light put out a Super Bowl commercial featuring the ghost of Spuds MacKenzie.Does anyone remember Spuds MacKenzie? Although he seems to have been forgotten nowadays, he was a popul… Read More
2017-02-03 14:24
In the '80s, comedy was often quirky and offbeat . . . just like the '80s themselves. One of my favorite comedians who became popular at that time was Steven Wright, whose routine was to giv… Read More
2017-01-26 04:18
I have some strong and very positive memories of Mary Tyler Moore, from her time playing Laura Petrie in The Dick Van Dyke Show, to her groundbreaking role as Mary Richards in her own Mary T… Read More
2017-01-14 18:25
In April 2012, this blog had a post titled "When Computers Became Cool," about the growing status of computer geeks in the '80s. (That post is re-posted in its entirety below this post.) &nb&hell…Read More
2017-01-04 15:42
Latin American cultures (which is my background) continue to celebrate the Christmas holiday season up until the day of Epiphany on January 6 (and some even after that). Epiphany… Read More
2017-01-01 02:54
Here's a clip of New Years Eve 1979-1980, on the exciting eve of the new '80s decade. (Thanks and acknowledgement to videoholic50s60s70s.)Happy New Year to you all!! Read More
2016-12-31 04:01
OK. You may be thinking . . . "Another Christmas post?? Isn't Christmas over?" . . . Well, not quite yet. As of the time of this post, New Years Day hasn't come yet. Also, I'm of Lati… Read More
2016-12-29 01:16
George Michael, member of Wham!, classy '80s singer and songwriter. (1963-2016)Carrie Fisher, talented actress and author. (1956-2016) Read More
2016-12-23 04:26
Here's two video clips which I've shown on this blog before. In fact I was considering whether I should re-post it yet again. But I opted to bring them out again, like worn but belove… Read More
2016-12-18 18:33
I wanted to take some time to remember Alan Thicke, who passed away recently. He is most remembered by people who grew up in the '80s as the father in the popular TV show Growing Pains. He w… Read More
2016-12-05 02:52
Its become almost a tradition at this blog to have a holiday season post (or posts!) with some retro '80s era Christmas songs. Some of the songs have been posted yearly, not unlike the yearl… Read More
2016-12-02 02:43
The charitable spirit that followed Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas," and all of the musical efforts to give relief to famine victims in Africa, culminating in the mamoth Live A… Read More
2016-11-24 20:10
Its Thanksgiving, and the holiday seaon is upon us. Since charity, music, and fun are important parts of this time of year, its a good time to remember when all three of those elements combi… Read More
2016-11-14 20:59
Does anybody remember The Great Space Coaster? It was a syndicated kid's show that ran from 1981 to 1986. I used to watch it all the time before school when I was in middle school… Read More
2016-10-31 04:13
Found this Halloween treat on Youtube (thanks to architek777). This goes all the way back to 1976. Its Kiss, original members back in the original full makeup mode, appearing on… Read More
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