Few people knew that my father was a DJ in the late 50's and I grew up with hundreds upon hundreds of old 45's from that era. We had an old stereo that I would play all kinds of oldies and even older oldies. I was a huge fan of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin while I was in high school. I still am as a matter of fact, but it certainly wasn't something you would go around telling folks about.
Anyway, I remember buying my first 45 at a music store in Vienna. It was "Fly Like A Eagle" by the Steve Miller Band. The next one was "We Will Rock You" by Queen. That is when my father knew things had changed. I was still listening to Frank and Dean and of course Louis Armstrong and Al Hirt, after all I was a trumpet player, but my taste in music was changing and I was entering the second phase of music in my life.
When Pat and Tim Earhart came into Chantilly High School they were half a bubble off level, and it was great! They lived up the street and we somehow managed to hang out just enough for me to be influenced by the music they were into. New Wave was gaining a foothold and I was grabbing my parachute pants and taking a ride. The Clash, The Cure, Generation X, Modern English, Depeche Mode, Public Image Limited, Joy Division and on and on. The Music, the damn buttons, the posters, the cassettes, the whole nine yards just started to take a hold. It wasn't too bad that Pat was right there and we were both just living at Fritzbees in Fairfax and hitting The Library and all of that stuff. The music of the 80's was dynamic and exciting.
After getting a gig that allowed me to travel around the world a few times and see dozens of countries, I always found time to take my music along. I never thought I would stop growing with the music. But alas, I did. Maybe it was all the time overseas and getting out of touch with what was being played on stateside radio, but I eventually clung to the 80's for the next 15 years.
Of course it was also the time I found "Echo and the Bunnymen" which to this day is my favorite band. I was told about them by a friend at William And Mary College while being there for a concert. Stevie Ray Vaughan opened up for The Alarm, who opened up for The Pretenders. Being in a state of mind that was clearly more determined to fall asleep or dive into a bag or Oreo's, I don't actually remember much about the show, but the after the show dorm party had me listening to the Bunnymen. I was hooked!
My taste has not changed a whole lot in the past 30 years or so, but the time I have to explore music has gone down as well. There isn't a whole lot of music actually being made it seems. Unless of course Hip Hop and Rap is your bag, which it isn't for me, so I settle for finding those hidden gems from time to time but for the most part, I have given up on what is out there today on the radio.
The short lived band created when Ian McCulloch left the Bunnymen with Will Sergeant in 1994. This is what I think of as their best song. Shortly after this came out, Echo and the Bunnymen reformed and are still going strong!
What I Like About You The Romantics
If you didn't like this tune, you were dead. This is the song that reminds me of The Library in Fairfax more than anything. And of course the Wax Museum where I saw The Romantics in concert!
Der Kommissar After The Fire
Another Fritzbees, Library hit from 1982. You couldn't not hear this song anywhere you went. From Winston's to Uncle Sam's, you heard this song over and over.
Hey Mickey Toni Basil
As corny as it is, this was great! A huge hit for it's time and another early MTV Fan Favorite.
Who Can It Be Now Men At Work
This came out right after we graduated high school. I remember hitting the beach when this just came out, and then really growing to love it while in the mountains a few weeks later. Just a great song, from a great album from the perfect 80's band.
Come On Eileen Dexys Midnight Runners
Classic, simply a classic.
Tainted Love Soft Cell
This was the song that got it going for me. When I heard this it was all over. It came out in 1981 and New Wave was where I was headed. This just opened the door to everything else.
I Melt With You Modern English
Just one of those songs that set the tone for the decade to come.
Postcards From Paradise Flesh For Lulu
One of those minor bands of the era that really took me away. I went on a quest to find their stuff. Still like all of it.
Rise Public Image Limited
Gotta love Johnny Rotten. Maybe one day the music industry will find this song and start to demand their "acts" have at least as much talent as this band. Otherwise, they should all just go back to mugging folks for a living.
Goody Two Shoes Adam Ant
The Romantics opened for Adam Ant at DAR Constitutional when I saw him in concert. He had a lot of good music on his own and with the Ants. Another great 80's music star!
Tom Sawyer Rush
It only figures that one of the best songs ever recorded came out of the 80's. And here it is.....still incredible.
She Sells Sanctuary The Cult
This is the closest my generation got to having our own Jim Morrison. Ian Astbury actually led a reunion of sorts with The Doors, but this song.... powerful.
Surfin' On Jupiter Psychefunkapus
Yeah... just gotta love the band's name and the tune is rather nice... 1991 and WHFS 99.1!!!!
Shock To The System Billy Idol
One of his best songs, that no one seems to have ever heard or remembered. This album was great... Billy Idol will always be a favorite of my generation... I hope.
Butterfly Wings Machines of Love and Grace
This is about as hard edged as I ever got in where my taste in music took me. And it's rather tame, but still very musical and it kept the musician inside happy. But still left me wanting to floor the gas and go on a beltway loop.
