cnbpjb
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Since someone started in decade of 1970's a thread about music & what trends were in that decade; I'd thought I'd start one about 1980's. Personally the 1980's were coming of age decade for me, I was a junior in high school when decade began & as decade ended I had graduated from the University of South Florida & was working at library (not to far from home in a town called, New Port Richey, FL) -- but there were a lot of memorable things & not just in music (but most of this is going to be about music, but some of the changes & movement in all culture {TV, movies}, science, politics & society in general {other academic disciplines, sports, other leisure pursuits} certainly affected music {yeah, perhaps not as much as in 1970's & 1980's, but it did.}) All do this by year, & maybe some definite dates given, but if anyone has anything to add, by all means go ahead & add them.
As decade of the 1980's began, a couple of events in 1979, had already started to make an impact or were about to on what would happen in the 1980's altogether. These events were:
1. Margaret Thatcher being elected British Prime Minister[/B]
2. President Jimmy Carter's administration being beset by problems amongst them: galore, inflation, oil crises {despite his warnings}, 52 American hostages in Iran, & the U.S.S.R. invasion of Afghanistan (on last day of 1979).
3. Musically speaking, disco was coming to a close, although in next couple of months there were to be a couple of hit disco songs, especially by Donna Summer still going up the charts, including, the #1 song on Billboard's charts that started the decade: "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes & a little later a #1 song, "Funkytown" by Lipps, Inc.; but soon disco & much of the other music would soon be eclipsed by a new craze, "New Wave".
4. One TV show that had yet to make an impact (& really wasn't that high in the Nielsen ratings at this point -- on CBS), but soon would be & make a major impact on the culture of the new decade was: "Dallas" -- remember that!
5. Also on TV, after success of ABC News' "Nightline" precursor, about the 52 American hostages -- a new Atlanta, GA based cable news organization -- owned by businessman Ted Turner, CNN, was about to have very unforseen (at this time) influence on America & the world & even on music as already there was thought of continuous music videos on at least another cable network.
1980:
1. Throughout year, Jimmy Carter's woes continue to mount over the year, as former B-grade actor & California Governor Ronald Reagan easily wins GOP nomination (or coranation), & then picks former rival, former U.S. Rep. & ambassador to China, George H.W. Bush as his Vice Presidential nominee. Carter himself has to fight for Democratic nomination, but does win it, but has to fend off a stiff challenge from Massachusetts U.S. Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy. Carter also has to deal with 52 American hostage situation, including a very failed mission to rescue them in April of 1980, with result of eight American army men being killed in a helicopter crash in Iran.
Also Carter will still have inflation issue (with Reagan and all GOP bringing up a phrase Carter unfortunately used in summer of 1979, about country being in a "malaise") & also decides in best interest to lead a Western boycott of many nations during Summer Olympics in Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R. (The only seemingly brief news to cheer up Americans comes in February 1980, at Winter Olympics when U.S. hockey team surprisingly win the Gold medal, and speed ice skater, Eric Heiden wins 5 Gold medals in Lake Placid, N.Y.) And then Carter will have to deal with the fact that in summer of 1980, there's a huge heatwave throughout most of the country. This is also summer of Muriel boatlift of Cuban refugees, some that were known drug lords & addicts from Cuba -- but many will become American citizens -- Haitians will also try to come to the country the same way, but will not succeed.
2. In May, Mount St. Helens volcano erupts in Washington state & in Florida a barge runs into Sunshine Skyway bridge (just south of Pinellas county, Florida) which kills several people (The bridge itself will not be rebuilt, but better, until 1987 & not reopen until 1988).
3. Albums out this year, making much noise & selling very well: "Off The Wall" by Michael Jackson; "The Wall" by Pink Floyd, "The River" by Bruce Springsteen, "Glass Houses" by Billy Joel, "The Boss" by Diana Ross, and "The Game" by Queen.
4. A couple of new music artists are making a lot & making it big of noise this year, amongst them are New Wave artists, Pat Benatar, the Pretenders, & the B-52's (Gary Numan has his only American hit this year, as well, w/ "Cars".) New Soft Rock artists, Kim Carnes, Christopher Cross, Air Supply (an Australian import), Barbra Streisand (a older Soft Rock artist) & Robbie Dupree also make it big & have huge hits this year & also country artist, Kenny Rogers.
5. 1980 at movies start off w/ success of "Kramer vs. Kramer" in winter, then comes the success of "Coal Miner's Daughter", "Norma Rae" in spring & also success of "American Gigolo" starring a young, Richard Gere that spins off a huge hit single in "Call Me" by Blondie (that rejuvenates their career.) In summer several other movies make it big, including "The Blue Lagoon", "The Empire Strikes Back" (second movie in "Star Wars" saga), "Urban Cowboy", "One Trick Pony" (which helps to revive career of singer, Paul Simon), "The Blues Brothers", "Honeysuckle Rose", "Roadie", "The Rose" (which helps to revive career of singer, Bette Midler), & "Caddyshack" (with a huge hit single, "I'm Alright!" by rocker, Kenny Loggins) & also movie named, "Xanadu" which would help career of Olivia Newton John & Electric Light Orchestra, & in fall there is a hit movie of "Fame" (which sets off career of a singer we'd come to know as decade would progress, Irene Cara, w/ title song of movie -- & you would want to "remember her name".) In fall of 1980, movies such as "Ordinary People" (starring TV's longtime sweetheart, Mary Tyler Moore), "The Jazz Singer" (which would help revive career of Neil Diamond) & "9 To 5" (that would net country singer, Dolly Parton her only solo #1 song on Billboard Pop charts).
6. In May, T.V. audience would be surprisingly huge for "cliffhangar" on "Dallas" for shooting of J.R. Ewing. Many people shortly after November 4th elections, would be glued to their sets for the resolution of "Who Shot J.R.?" (it was his sister-in-law). The major new show this year is spinoff of "Magnum, P.I.", "Simon & Simon".
7. Walter Conkrite (sp?) announces his retirement from being longtime evening anchor CBS, for March 1981, his replacement will be Dan Rather.
8. Of course on that November 4, 1980 election day, Ronald Reagan would defeat Carter for Carter's attempted re-election, with a 51% margin in the popular vote (electorially though it was a landslide, with Reagan taking 489 electoral votes). The GOP also takes control of the U.S. Senate, 54 - 46, for the first time in 25 years (yes, 1955). And although the Democrats retain control of the Governors and the U.S. House (they slide down 33 seats in the House). (Also it didn't help Carter any that Illinois U.S. Senator John Anderson {and one of the few liberal GOP members at the time} ran for President as an independent). The polls on the Friday before the election, though, still showed a close electorate and Reagan's huge electoral win was not predicted at that time. One news organization showing a lot of moxie during this election was the newcomer, CNN. BTW, an offshoot of this election is the rise of the so-called, "Moral Majority", which would have impact on the culture as a whole throughout the decade, that would continue into the next century.
9. Iran goes to war against it's neighbor, Iraq, in the summer of 1980.
10. Some sad news for Rock music happens on December 8, 1980; it is announced by Johnny Carson on NBC's "Tonight Show" that the former Beatle John Lennon has been shot to death in the garage of his and his wife, Yoko Ono's apartment building by a crazed fan, later identified as Mark David Chapman. During the next two weeks of mourning for the "thinking man's" Beatle, the last album he was working before he died, released in November, without much of a great sales, "Double Fantasy" is starting to sell very well. Also, the #1 song (moving suddenly very swiftly to the #1 spot on Billboard singles Pop charts), "(Just Like) Starting Over" is #1 that next week.
11. As the year ends, three albums are released that will make huge waves early on in the next calendar year, 1981; "Autoamerican" by Blondie, "Moving Pictures" by Rush and "Hi Infidelity" by REO Speedwagon.
12. Also in the last few weeks of 1980, a little known bit of news is starting to make some bit of noise, and that's what maybe going on in two Central American countries that would later help define events of this new decade (for good and ill), El Salvador and Nicaragua. (But as yet, these two Central American countries and their battles over civil rights and whether they will be Socialist nations or Democracies is not making big enough waves with most average Americans).
--There you have the events that defined the first year of the 1980's, I'll come back with events and music, and other cultures from 1981 to 1989. So be patient (I know if I continue on past this point, I will not to get to post this, because of the amount of words, but if I split this up I'll be able to continue -- things won't be so wordy in the next post, I promise.) I may not get back to this until early tomorrow morning (or I might only get to 1981 and 1982, maybe 1983, this evening, so please hold off posting until then, thank you.)
As decade of the 1980's began, a couple of events in 1979, had already started to make an impact or were about to on what would happen in the 1980's altogether. These events were:
1. Margaret Thatcher being elected British Prime Minister[/B]
2. President Jimmy Carter's administration being beset by problems amongst them: galore, inflation, oil crises {despite his warnings}, 52 American hostages in Iran, & the U.S.S.R. invasion of Afghanistan (on last day of 1979).
3. Musically speaking, disco was coming to a close, although in next couple of months there were to be a couple of hit disco songs, especially by Donna Summer still going up the charts, including, the #1 song on Billboard's charts that started the decade: "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes & a little later a #1 song, "Funkytown" by Lipps, Inc.; but soon disco & much of the other music would soon be eclipsed by a new craze, "New Wave".
4. One TV show that had yet to make an impact (& really wasn't that high in the Nielsen ratings at this point -- on CBS), but soon would be & make a major impact on the culture of the new decade was: "Dallas" -- remember that!
5. Also on TV, after success of ABC News' "Nightline" precursor, about the 52 American hostages -- a new Atlanta, GA based cable news organization -- owned by businessman Ted Turner, CNN, was about to have very unforseen (at this time) influence on America & the world & even on music as already there was thought of continuous music videos on at least another cable network.
1980:
1. Throughout year, Jimmy Carter's woes continue to mount over the year, as former B-grade actor & California Governor Ronald Reagan easily wins GOP nomination (or coranation), & then picks former rival, former U.S. Rep. & ambassador to China, George H.W. Bush as his Vice Presidential nominee. Carter himself has to fight for Democratic nomination, but does win it, but has to fend off a stiff challenge from Massachusetts U.S. Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy. Carter also has to deal with 52 American hostage situation, including a very failed mission to rescue them in April of 1980, with result of eight American army men being killed in a helicopter crash in Iran.
Also Carter will still have inflation issue (with Reagan and all GOP bringing up a phrase Carter unfortunately used in summer of 1979, about country being in a "malaise") & also decides in best interest to lead a Western boycott of many nations during Summer Olympics in Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R. (The only seemingly brief news to cheer up Americans comes in February 1980, at Winter Olympics when U.S. hockey team surprisingly win the Gold medal, and speed ice skater, Eric Heiden wins 5 Gold medals in Lake Placid, N.Y.) And then Carter will have to deal with the fact that in summer of 1980, there's a huge heatwave throughout most of the country. This is also summer of Muriel boatlift of Cuban refugees, some that were known drug lords & addicts from Cuba -- but many will become American citizens -- Haitians will also try to come to the country the same way, but will not succeed.
2. In May, Mount St. Helens volcano erupts in Washington state & in Florida a barge runs into Sunshine Skyway bridge (just south of Pinellas county, Florida) which kills several people (The bridge itself will not be rebuilt, but better, until 1987 & not reopen until 1988).
3. Albums out this year, making much noise & selling very well: "Off The Wall" by Michael Jackson; "The Wall" by Pink Floyd, "The River" by Bruce Springsteen, "Glass Houses" by Billy Joel, "The Boss" by Diana Ross, and "The Game" by Queen.
4. A couple of new music artists are making a lot & making it big of noise this year, amongst them are New Wave artists, Pat Benatar, the Pretenders, & the B-52's (Gary Numan has his only American hit this year, as well, w/ "Cars".) New Soft Rock artists, Kim Carnes, Christopher Cross, Air Supply (an Australian import), Barbra Streisand (a older Soft Rock artist) & Robbie Dupree also make it big & have huge hits this year & also country artist, Kenny Rogers.
5. 1980 at movies start off w/ success of "Kramer vs. Kramer" in winter, then comes the success of "Coal Miner's Daughter", "Norma Rae" in spring & also success of "American Gigolo" starring a young, Richard Gere that spins off a huge hit single in "Call Me" by Blondie (that rejuvenates their career.) In summer several other movies make it big, including "The Blue Lagoon", "The Empire Strikes Back" (second movie in "Star Wars" saga), "Urban Cowboy", "One Trick Pony" (which helps to revive career of singer, Paul Simon), "The Blues Brothers", "Honeysuckle Rose", "Roadie", "The Rose" (which helps to revive career of singer, Bette Midler), & "Caddyshack" (with a huge hit single, "I'm Alright!" by rocker, Kenny Loggins) & also movie named, "Xanadu" which would help career of Olivia Newton John & Electric Light Orchestra, & in fall there is a hit movie of "Fame" (which sets off career of a singer we'd come to know as decade would progress, Irene Cara, w/ title song of movie -- & you would want to "remember her name".) In fall of 1980, movies such as "Ordinary People" (starring TV's longtime sweetheart, Mary Tyler Moore), "The Jazz Singer" (which would help revive career of Neil Diamond) & "9 To 5" (that would net country singer, Dolly Parton her only solo #1 song on Billboard Pop charts).
6. In May, T.V. audience would be surprisingly huge for "cliffhangar" on "Dallas" for shooting of J.R. Ewing. Many people shortly after November 4th elections, would be glued to their sets for the resolution of "Who Shot J.R.?" (it was his sister-in-law). The major new show this year is spinoff of "Magnum, P.I.", "Simon & Simon".
7. Walter Conkrite (sp?) announces his retirement from being longtime evening anchor CBS, for March 1981, his replacement will be Dan Rather.
8. Of course on that November 4, 1980 election day, Ronald Reagan would defeat Carter for Carter's attempted re-election, with a 51% margin in the popular vote (electorially though it was a landslide, with Reagan taking 489 electoral votes). The GOP also takes control of the U.S. Senate, 54 - 46, for the first time in 25 years (yes, 1955). And although the Democrats retain control of the Governors and the U.S. House (they slide down 33 seats in the House). (Also it didn't help Carter any that Illinois U.S. Senator John Anderson {and one of the few liberal GOP members at the time} ran for President as an independent). The polls on the Friday before the election, though, still showed a close electorate and Reagan's huge electoral win was not predicted at that time. One news organization showing a lot of moxie during this election was the newcomer, CNN. BTW, an offshoot of this election is the rise of the so-called, "Moral Majority", which would have impact on the culture as a whole throughout the decade, that would continue into the next century.
9. Iran goes to war against it's neighbor, Iraq, in the summer of 1980.
10. Some sad news for Rock music happens on December 8, 1980; it is announced by Johnny Carson on NBC's "Tonight Show" that the former Beatle John Lennon has been shot to death in the garage of his and his wife, Yoko Ono's apartment building by a crazed fan, later identified as Mark David Chapman. During the next two weeks of mourning for the "thinking man's" Beatle, the last album he was working before he died, released in November, without much of a great sales, "Double Fantasy" is starting to sell very well. Also, the #1 song (moving suddenly very swiftly to the #1 spot on Billboard singles Pop charts), "(Just Like) Starting Over" is #1 that next week.
11. As the year ends, three albums are released that will make huge waves early on in the next calendar year, 1981; "Autoamerican" by Blondie, "Moving Pictures" by Rush and "Hi Infidelity" by REO Speedwagon.
12. Also in the last few weeks of 1980, a little known bit of news is starting to make some bit of noise, and that's what maybe going on in two Central American countries that would later help define events of this new decade (for good and ill), El Salvador and Nicaragua. (But as yet, these two Central American countries and their battles over civil rights and whether they will be Socialist nations or Democracies is not making big enough waves with most average Americans).
--There you have the events that defined the first year of the 1980's, I'll come back with events and music, and other cultures from 1981 to 1989. So be patient (I know if I continue on past this point, I will not to get to post this, because of the amount of words, but if I split this up I'll be able to continue -- things won't be so wordy in the next post, I promise.) I may not get back to this until early tomorrow morning (or I might only get to 1981 and 1982, maybe 1983, this evening, so please hold off posting until then, thank you.)
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