Riding the Retro Metro: Destination Wednesday February 17, 1982!

Redartz:  Hello,fellow temporal travelers!  Time again for another excursion back , back, back aboard the Retro  Metro. Today we revisit the illustrious 80's, specifically Feb. 17, 1982. As always, there is tumult in the world, especially in Poland, where turmoil reigns under the imposition of martial law. Sadly, we read of the death of Jazz genius Thelonius Monk. On the positive note, gas prices seem to be coming down...

While fuel may be dropping, the J. Geils Band is rising to the top of the US Billboard Pop Chart with this week's number one, "Centerfold"

And rounding out the top five:

2.  Daryl Hall and John Oates, "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)"
3.  Quarterflash, "Harden My Heart" 
4.  Journey, "Open Arms"
5.  The Cars, "Shake it Up"

Enjoying a lot of the current music these days, Hall and Oates are great, as are the Cars. But as is usually the case, many of the most interesting songs lie further down the chart. Among them,the  Rolling Stones, "Waiting on a Friend"- a nice song off their latest album "Tattoo You".  The Police, "Spirits in the  Material World", Go-Go's, "We Got the Beat": love both these songs and both of these groups. So much so, in fact, that a bunch of us from art school just got back from a trip to Cleveland Ohio to see them both in concert . A great time was had, except for the ice storm on the road home, but that's another story. Oh, and another fun tune: Buckner and Garcia, "Pac Man Fever". A tribute to the immense popularity of video games and arcades these days. I admittedly have spent more than a few quarters on that little yellow guy and his ever-pursuing ghosts...

Tops in the UK:  The Jam, "Town Called Malice"

Man, those Go-Go's are dynamite (and although Belinda Carlisle gets a lot of the attention, I rather admire Jane Weidlin). But enough musical musings, what about the action on the small screen today? Let's see...

US Television Schedule:  

 


ABC: The Greatest American Hero, The Fall Guy, Dynasty

I still catch "G A H" from time to time, and occasionally catch Lee Majors as the Fall Guy. Playing a stunt man/bounty hunter, Majors gives us another action-packed show (perhaps he's  helped out by the cybernetics from his previous role as the Six Million Dollar Man).

CBS:  Herbie the Love Bug, WKRP in Cincinnati, Baker's Dozen, Shannon

Another show I'm still enjoying is WKRP. Great cast, and how can you not like a comedy  about a rock radio station? On the other hand, I'm surprised to find a show featuring "Herbie the Love Bug" on prime time. 

 



















NBC:  Real People, The Facts of Life, Love Sidney, Quincy M.E. 

Real People is one of those shows I'll watch if the mood hits, and Quincy is cool- Jack Klugman is always enjoyable. But "Facts of Life" has sort of hooked me. Another show with a pretty good cast, led by the engaging Charlotte Rae as Mrs. Garrett. 

BBC1:  Rolf Harris Cartoon Time, The Wednesday Film: The Last Hunt, Sportsnight, Parkinson

BBC2:  The Water Margin, The Making of Mankind, The Master Game, Chronicle, M*A*S*H, Nancy Astor, Out of Court

Rolf Harris Cartoon Time? Is that the Rolf Harris of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" fame? I'd watch that every time...

Oh, hey; it's Wednesday, which means new comic day! While we're here, let's check out the neighborhood spinner rack (or the fine display at the local comic shop, as is becoming more frequently the case:
 

 That Silver Surfer book is a definite must. John Byrne and Tom Palmer on the Surfer? Take my money now. And while you're at it, pass me that Teen Titans issue, Wolfman and Perez are still rocking it. I'm getting that Spectacular Spider-man issue just for the cover, but the book is really solid these days anyway.  And speaking of solid, how about Byrne's fantastic Fantastic Fours? The book hasn't been this good in years. And this week we have a double treat, "Fantastic Four Roast" by Fred Hembeck- a truly comical comic. Can't wait to read that one. Oh, and check out that Hulk issue; whats's with the raccoon?  Kind of an oddly obscure character, bet he'll fade into obscurity...

Although we aren't fading into obscurity, we do have to fade back to the present. Hope we've triggered a few memories for you, and that you'll share your tales of  '82. Until next time, be well and save me a token for the arcade...

Riding the Retro Metro: Friday Dec. 7, 1979

Redartz:  Hello again everyone, and welcome to another vicarious voyage to the past aboard the Retro Metro! Our itinerary today takes us to the turn of a decade, back to Dec. 7, 1979. As is too often the case, troubling news abounds in the headlines: 11 concertgoers killed at a Who concert in Cincinnati. The Soviet Union has invaded Afghanistan. And of course the US is still roiling over the hostages being held in the US Embassy in Iran. Despite all this, the world is on the verge of the 80's, with the eternal hope that a better world awaits therein. 

As we look for a bit of diversion from world events, we first turn to music. And thus we find the most popular song on the radio this week is:

Tops on the US Billboard Chart:  Styx, "Babe"

Styx finally hits the top with this song, almost five years after first charting with "Lady". I've liked much of their work, but this song admittedly leaves me yawning a bit.

Rounding out the  top five:  
2. Barbara Streisand/Donna Summer, "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)
3. Commodores, "Still"
4.  KC and the Sunshine Band, "Please Don't Go"
5.  Rupert Holmes, "Escape ( the Pina Colada Song)"

To be honest, the only song among the top five I much care for is the odd Rupert Holmes song. More interesting are some tunes further down the chart. Among the ones of note:  Blondie, "Dreaming"; a very cool song with some totally dynamite vocals by Debbie Harry. Michael Jackson,  "Rock With You"; Michael is making the most of his comeback album "Off the Wall".  M, "Pop Musik"; an unusual song for the American pop chart, I like that. Supertramp, "Take the Long Way Home"- their album "Breakfast in America" is very solid, and I love this particular cut. The harmonica just chills me.

Blondie: "Dreaming"

Tops in the UK: The Police, "Walking on the Moon"- another example of why the British chart is the place to look for the best new music.

Turning to the tube and it's offerings tonight:  Fridays have often been a good night for viewing. What about this Friday?

US Television Schedule:

ABC:  Fantasy Island, The ABC Friday Night Movie

My girlfriend at college is hooked on Fantasy Island, and I rather enjoy it too. Ricardo Montalban is a suave Mr. Roarke, played with some wit and irony. And you can't dislike Herve  ("The Plane, the Plane") Villachaise . At least now we know what happened to him after he lost his position on the island with Scaramanga in "The Man with the Golden Gun".

CBS:  The Incredible Hulk, The Dukes of Hazzard, Dallas

As you might guess, watching the Hulk is regular routine at my apartment. Bill Bixby has long been a favorite actor of mine, and Lou Ferrigno does a decent Greenskin. On the other hand, "Dukes" holds no interest for this viewer, and neither does Dallas (although many, many viewers disagree with my  opinions here).

NBC: Shirley, The Rockford Files, Eischeid

Apparently Shirley Jones stars in Shirley (makes sense), but I've never seen it. Rockford keeps hanging on, and Eischeid? I've no idea. Perhaps my study time has cut into tv watching to the extent that numerous shows are completely off my radar. Perhaps some of you fellow riders have some thoughts on these programs...


BBC1:  Up a Gum Tree, My Wife Next Door, Penmarric, Kojak, Points of View, George Burns and Gracie Allen

BBC2:  Better Badminton, In the Country, Talking Pictures, "I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang", The National Poetry Competition 1979

Wow, BBC is showing Burns and Allen? Going for the golden age of television! Can't go wrong with the classics. And speaking of  (future) classics, what fine reading is out on the stands this week? It's about time to take a trip to the comic store and add a few more to the ol' collection. Some possible choices:

Man, I picked up a bunch of these. Daredevil versus the Hulk by Frank Miller? Got to have that one. X-Men by Claremont and Byrne? Even though Dazzler doesn't exactly dazzle me ( couldn't resist that, sorry). the book is just too good to pass up. Iron Man is another fine title these days, love that Romita Jr./Layton artwork. Then you have the Panther taking on the Klan, another must buy. And the first issue of King Conan; another new title to try. About the only book here I'm  skipping is the Star Trek movie magazine (which again puts  me in a minority; have seen the long-awaited film at least). All things considered, it looks like the 70's are going out strong, comic-wise. What will the new decade bring?

Of course, we can now answer that last question with the benefit of hindsight. The 80's had plenty to offer, many of those will likely be awaiting us in upcoming trips on the "Retro Metro". As for today, we bid goodbye to 79 and the seventies, and return to our present. Until we next venture back to the Bronze age, take care. and share those memories!

Sound and the Fury: Concert Tees!

Martinex1: A few simple questions for you today - what were you wearing in your musical youth?  Was your wardrobe stacked with concert t-shirts back in the bronze age?  If so can you answer the key journalistic questions around that particular fashion piece - who, what, where and when?