Hulk's Video Of Day

[Midnight Hulk]

Francis Ford Coppola releases another movie based on an S.E. Hinton book. This one is Rumble Fish. Cool name. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7voEoWRKbAE

Pat Benatar’s most famous music video, “Love Is A Battlefield,” comes out. Everyone likes to see her dance for some reason.

Pat Benatar—“Love Is A Battlefield.”


38 Irish republican prisoners, armed with six handguns, hijack a prison meals lorry and smash their way out of HMP Maze, in the largest prison escape since World War II and in British history.

Ronald Reagan announces that Global Positioning System will be made available for civilian use. Because of this, today, people no longer get lost.

Kiss appears on MTV and the cover for their new album Lick It Up without make-up. Thousands of fans have their minds blown and their fantasies shattered.

Kiss—“Lick It Up.”


The barracks for the U.S. Marines and French military forces in Beirut are bombed 6 months after the U.S. Embassy bombing.

[Midnight Hulk]

Many Soviet officials misinterpret the NATO exercise Able Archer 83 as a nuclear first strike, causing the last nuclear scare of the Cold War. That was a close one.

Culture Club becomes famous thanks to the album Colour By Numbers. Many wonder if lead singer Boy George really is a boy.

Culture Club—“Karma Chameleon.”


The Emmys: Outstanding Drama Series: Hill Street Blues and Outstanding Comedy: Cheers.

United States invades Grenada. But, we weren’t there long enough for any veterans to brag about it.

Lionel Richie blows up with Can’t Slow Down. The other Commodores must be jealous.

Lionel Richie—“Hello.”


Baltimore Orioles win the World Series against Philadelphia Phillies. Again, Philly!?

[Midnight Hulk]

Jesse Jackson announces his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination and then later goes to Syria to secure the release of Navy pilot Robert Goodman, who was shot down over Lebanon.

Cyndi Lauper’s She’s So Unusual comes out. Judging by her hair and clothes, everyone agrees it’s appropriately titled.

Cyndi Lauper—“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”


“A Christmas Story” enters theaters…and our hearts.

The first Starrcade is held at the Greensboro Coliseum with Ric Flair VS Harley Race in a Steel Cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Title as the main event.

“The Day After” scares the crap out of audiences and actually changes Reagan’s mind on America’s nuclear policy.

Cabbage Patch Kids are the hottest toy for Christmas. Parents beat the crap out of each other to get it for their kids.

Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell is released. And, with a rebel yell, he wants more…more…more.

Billy Idol—“Eyes Without A Face.”


Miami Hurricanes go 11-1 with coach Howard Schnellenberger and later beat Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Orange Bowl to be named the National Champions.

“Scarface” hits theaters. It develops a cult following among rappers and hip hop fans who missed the movie’s moral.

And, that ends 1983. Tune in tomorrow for 1984.

[Midnight Hulk]

1984. January-April: Apple releases the Macintosh with an infamous Super Bowl commercial. Now, everybody has to have a cool and innovative commercial that will shock and impress people at the Super Bowl. Thanks a lot, Steve Jobs. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8ji0B98IMo

SPEAKING OF the Super Bowl, L.A. Raiders won Super Bowl XVIII over Washington Redskins, 38-9. Redskins’ fans called it Black Sunday. How appropriate.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood has a big year. Their song “Relax” goes to number 1 in the U.K. despite being banned by the BBC for its racy content. Also, people start wearing those damn “Frankie Says” shirts.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood—“Relax.”


Skiing gets popular thanks to movies like “Hot Dog... The Movie” www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHyP4Oj17zg and “Better Off Dead.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlEYRjlVtjg

Night Court debuts, showing the whacky hijinks of night arraignments, which aren’t very whacky in real life.

The Pretenders release the album Learning To Crawl. It is their first after bandmates James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon both died of drug overdoses.

The Pretenders—“Back On The Chain Gang.”


Wendy’s “Where’s The Beef?” commercial comes out and becomes a sensation, making Clara Peller a star for a brief second. Suck on that, Burger King! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug75diEyiA0

[Midnight Hulk]

Coal miners in the UK go on strike. Fight the power!

Van Halen’s 1984 comes out. Why? Because, it’s 1984.

Van Halen—“Hot For The Teacher.”


Airwolf debuts. It’s like Knight Rider but with a helicopter. And, it had Ernest Borgnine.

Hulk Hogan defeats The Iron Sheik for the WWF Title and begins a 4 year title run that helps usher in a wrestling boom. So, whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you!?

Michael Jackson’s hair catches fire during an accident on the set of a Pepsi commercial when a pyrotechnic goes off too early. Yet another reason why the jheri curl should be banned. The mullet should also be banned, but that’s on principle.

The Go-Go’s release the album Talk Show. A year later, the band went on a temporary split that lasted until 1990. Apparently, they have a loose definition of temporary.

The Go-Go’s—“Head Over Heels.”


The Grammys: Michael Jackson’s Thriller wins Album Of The Year and Record Of The Year for “Beat It.”

Dick Clark and Ed McMahon laugh at bloopers and pranks on celebs on TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes.

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Designer shoelaces are a thing. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980s_fashion

The Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Nothing really interesting happens.

Queen’s The Works comes out. They’re giving it their all on is album. Get it? Because “the works” means “give it your all?”

Queen—“I Want To Break Free.”


U.S. Marines pull out of Beirut because of the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks bombings.

“This Is Spinal Tap” comes out and causes much embarrassment for rockers because of how accurate it is.

Rockwell becomes famous with the song “Somebody’s Watching Me.” Though, using your connections as Motown founder Barry Gordy’s son to get Michael Jackson to sing the chorus helps.

Rockwell—“Somebody’s Watching Me.”


“Police Academy” becomes a surprise hit, somehow launching a franchise that has six sequels and a TV series. At least it made Steve Guttenberg a star. Or, was that The Stonecutters? www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9UcCraqpbQ

[Midnight Hulk]

Teachers at the McMartin Preschool in Manhattan Beach, California are charged with sexual abuse of the schoolchildren and later acquitted when the charges are dropped as completely unfounded. There were also accusations of satanic ritual abuse because there was a huge panic about that at the time. Man, people are stupid.

Run-D.M.C.’s self-titled debut album is released. They quickly standout from the rest of the hip hop pack by sampling rock songs for their beats. That’s why they call themselves the Kings Of Rock.

Run-D.M.C.—“Rock Box.”


Academy Awards: “Terms Of Endearment” wins Best Picture, Best Director (James L. Brooks), Best Actress (Shirley McClaine), Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson), and Best Adapted Screenplay (James L. Brooks). www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsdDeh0M_nk

“Footloose” is released, showing us that John Lithgow really hates dancing.

Georgetown beats Houston in the NCAA Men’s Basketball finals. Again, Phi Slama Jama? You guys can’t catch a break.

The Cars release their most successful album, Heartbeat City, and their biggest hit, “Drive.” Bassist Benjamin Orr sings the song, but lead singer Ric Ocasek ends up marrying Paulina Porizkova from the video.

The Cars—“Drive.”


Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous premieres and makes poor people jealous of rich people.

Comedian Tommy Cooper collapses and dies of a heart attack on live TV.

[Midnight Hulk]

1984: May-August. Soviet Union announces a boycott of the Summer Olympics in L.A.

The Summer Olympics in L.A., Mary Lou Retton becomes the first gymnast outside Eastern Europe to win the gymnastics all-around competition. And, Carl Lewis matches Jesse Owens’s feat of 4 track and field gold medals. I don't know what the other countries did because...who gives a f***? USA! USA ! USA!

Hank Williams, Jr. releases the song “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.” Though, you may know it as “Are You Ready For Some Football?”

Hank Williams, Jr.—“All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.”
www.dailymotion.com/video/xeum6n_hank-williams-jr-all-my-rowdy-frie_music

Riunite: it’s bargain-priced Italian wine that goes great with everything from fried chicken to pizza. Also, I hear it’s nice on ice.

Denis Lortie kills 3 government employees in the National Assembly of Quebec building.

Virgin Atlantic Airways makes its inaugural flight. Fly high, Richard Branson.

Art Of Noise releases “Close (To The Edit).” The video becomes an iconic one of the decade with its little punk girl and three men destroying musical instruments.

Art Of Noise—“Close (To The Edit).”

[Midnight Hulk]

Edmonton Oilers defeat New York Islanders in the Stanley Cup, ending the Islanders dynasty of 4 consecutive Stanley Cups and starting Edmonton’s dynasty.

Boston Celtics win the NBA Finals over L.A. Lakers in the first of 3 finals between both teams in the decade.

The Tonys: Best Play: The Real Thing, Best Musical: La Cage Aux Folles, Best Reproduction: Death Of A Salesman.

Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA comes out and many politicians, notably Ronald Reagan and his fellow conservatives, misunderstand the title song’s message.

Bruce Springsteen—“Born In The USA.”
video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6205560059462271530#

The summer sees the releases of:
“Ghostbusters,” I ain’t afraid of no ghosts.

“Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom,” featuring an annoying performance by the woman who would become Mrs. Steven Spielberg (guess why she was in the film). Also, is it obvious that Spielberg was upset over "E.T." losing the Best Picture Oscar to "Gandhi"?

“Red Dawn,” WOLVERINES!!!!

“Gremlins,” a wonderful Christmas movie in which little monsters attack and kill people and Phoebe Cates kills the movie dead with a shocking story about how her father died and got stuck in the chimney while pretending to be Santa.

“The Karate Kid,” STRIKE FIRST. STRIKE HARD. NO MERCY!!!!

“Sixteen Candles,” the movie that introduced Molly Ringwald to the 1980s pop culture scene.

“Bachelor Party,” gentlemen—start your boners.

“Revenge Of The Nerds,” NERDS!!!!

And, “Star Trek III: The Search For Spock,” in which people wonder why the Klingons now have ridges on their foreheads.

Black Saturday: Wrestling fans tune into TBS expecting Georgia Championship Wrestling. Instead, they get Vince McMahon, who has bought the promotion, and a so-so WWF show. Fans are pissed. The ratings nose dive. Vince McMahon loses money. And, finally, Ted Turner steps in, buying out Vince and putting NWA’s World Championship Wrestling on the channel.

Bananarama release their self-titled album. You know one of those girls married the other guy in Wham. It’s a marriage of “They look familiar. I know I’ve seen them somewhere!”

Bananarama—“Cruel Summer.”

[Midnight Hulk]

SPEAKING OF Wham!, their song “Careless Whisper” comes out, making George Michael more famous than Andrew Ridgeley. Sorry other guy.

Wham!—“Careless Whisper.”


Rainbow Brite hits the airwaves. Because that’s what kids need: more crap to watch and keep them for moving around and more crap to yell at the parents to buy for them.

Trivial Pursuit sells 20 million units. There’s a little trivia for you.

Bartles & Jaymes’s folksy TV commercials hit the airwaves. Though, I much prefer Bruce Willis’s Seagram’s Cooler commercials.

Former Eagle Glenn Frey has solo success with the album The Allnighter. He was also on Miami Vice. Pretty cool, huh?

Glenn Frey—“Smuggler’s Blues.”


Stirrup pants become popular. Again, don’t know why. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leggings en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980s_fashion

[Midnight Hulk]

Two vastly different toylines/cartoon shows become popular with kids: Transformers en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Transformers_(TV_series) www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq0ZJgb-VX4 and Care Bears. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm5Hqow78I

Prince has the number 1 single, album, and film in the U.S. thanks to “Purple Rain” and its soundtrack.

Prince—“Let’s Go Crazy.”


Anti-fur movement gains ground thanks to PETA as fur coat wearers are splashed with paint by protesters. The animal rights activist group is still around and looked at as a bunch loons by the rest of the world.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer becomes famous for her frank talk about sex. People are shocked that such a cute, little, old lady can be so open about orgasms, dildos, and anal sex.

The Jacksons release the album Victory, the last one with Michael. Because, he was pretty big on his own back then. Don’t know if you knew that.

The Jacksons—“Torture.”


Jimmy Carter’s former VP, Walter Mondale, is named the Democratic presidential candidate and selects Geraldine Ferraro to be his vice-presidential candidate, making her the first female to run for the position.

Ronald Reagan declares that it’s “morning in America again” and later jokes about bombing the Soviet Union during a mic check for a radio broadcast. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU-IBF8nwSY

[Midnight Hulk]

1984: September-December. The IRA attempts to assassinate Margaret Thatcher and the British Cabinet with the Brighton hotel bombing.

Billy Ocean becomes famous with the release of his album Suddenly. Suddenly, he woke up and found himself with a bunch of money and fans.

Billy Ocean—“Loverboy.”


TV shows that debuted in the fall:
The Cosby Show, Bill Cosby finally finds a successful show.

Punky Brewster, giving America a cute little orphan girl to love. Well…one not named Annie.

Snorks, giving Smurfs a run for their money.

The current incarnation of Jeopardy!, remember when Alex Trebek had a mustache.

Hunter, Fred Dryer was Hunter!? Get me the first season of Hunter!

Voltron, before there were Power Rangers, there was Voltron.

Who’s The Boss?, giving Tony Danza work after Taxi ends and introducing the world to Alyssa Milano. She’d grow up to be such a hottie.

Charles In Charge, keeping Scott Baio’s career going.

Murder, She Wrote, man, Cabot Cove, Maine, sure had a high homicide rate.

And, Miami Vice, which is dated but still looks cool as hell.

Several of the shows that debut on NBC, including Night Court, The Cosby Show, and Miami Vice, along with the rise in ratings for Family Ties and Cheers, help the network become the top rated one for the decade. I’m sure Brandon Tartikoff would be proud to see how NBC has turned out today.

Also, Miami Vice becomes so popular that it spawns a fashion trend. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980s_fashion

Chaka Khan finds success with her sixth solo album, I Feel For You. The title track, originally by Prince, single-handedly relaunches Khan’s career. I hope she at least sent Prince a fruit basket.

Chaka Khan—“I Feel For You.”
www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ljmy_chaka-khan-i-feel-for-you-par-funky_music

[Midnight Hulk]

Scratch and sniff stickers and Trapper Keepers are popular among school kids.

MTV holds its first MTV Video Music Awards where Madonna makes a scene with a provocative performance of “Like A Virgin.”

Madonna—“Like A Virgin.”


Also, Madonna’s look becomes popular with young girls. I’m sure parents enjoyed their girls dressing up like such an infamously promiscuous woman. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980s_fashion

The Emmys: Outstanding Drama: Hill Street Blues and Outstanding Comedy: Cheers.

Duran Duran’s Arena comes out. It’s notable for the song “The Wild Boys,” which had an awesome music video.

Duran Duran—“The Wild Boys.”


Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated.

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Another adaptation of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four comes out. Why? Again, like with Van Halen, it’s 1984! What didn’t you get about that!? www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF51CqBy81U

During Halloween of 1984, there is one song that must have been overplayed to death: the theme song to “Ghostbusters.” Thanks a lot, Ray Parker, Jr.

Ray Parker Jr.—“Ghostbusters.”


Detroit Tigers win the World Series over San Diego Padres.

“A Nightmare On Elm Street” is released. Now, people are afraid to go to sleep. Thanks a lot, horror movies. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adgp0v_mfTk

Arnold Schwarzenegger develops a typecast for the cold, silent killing machine thanks to “The Terminator” www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Jo8QoOTQ4 and “Conan The Destroyer.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeXWsXrs_00 And, he later became the governor of California. This is a weird country.

Glenn Frey ain’t the only Eagle having solo success. Don Henley does so as well with the album, Building The Perfect Beast, and the excellent music video, “The Boys Of Summer.”

Don Henley—“The Boys Of Summer.”
www.dailymotion.com/video/x1yqje_don-henley-boys-of-summer_music

Ronald Reagan is re-elected as U.S. President. Walter Mondale only wins one state, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia. I guess voters got annoyed by him saying “Where’s The Beef?” over and over again.

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César Chávez delivers his speech, "What The Future Holds For Farm Workers And Hispanics", at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco.

The Replacements’ classic album Let It Be is released.

The Replacements—“I Will Dare.”


Doug Flutie’s hail mary pass helps Boston College beat the University Of Miami.

Also, BYU Cougars go 13-0, beating Michigan Wolverines in the Holiday Bowl, and are named the National Champions.

Bryan Adams releases the album Reckless. It’s most notable song is “Summer Of ’69,” mainly because of that stupid 69 sex joke.

Bryan Adams—“Summer Of ’69.”


Bob Geldof organizes a group of British musicians called Band Aid to release a single, “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. Nice, but Christianity has been in Ethiopia since the 4th century; so I think they know it’s Christmas.

“Beverly Hills Cop” hits theaters. Be careful of the banana in the tailpipe.

Bernhard Goetz shoots 4 African-American youths in a Bronx subway.

Well, that does it for 1984. And, we're halfway through the 1980s. Now, the back half begins with 1985.

[Midnight Hulk]

Well, we've reached the halfway mark in Eighties Month. So, let's continue with 1985:

1985: January-April. British Telecom announces it is going to phase out its famous red telephone boxes. How sad.

A group of American musicians, USA for Africa, record the song “We Are The World” for African famine relief. If only they had made a better song…

Thunder…thunder…THUNDERCATS, HO!!!!

Phil Collins releases his most successful solo album, No Jacket Required. More like “No Genesis Require.” But, it was nice he stayed with the band regardless of his solo success.

Phil Collins—“Sussudio.”


San Francisco 49ers win Super Bowl XIX over Miami Dolphins. Maybe all those records Dan Marino broke can comfort him over the fact that he blew his one chance to win a Super Bowl.

“Brazil” comes out. It’s like “Nineteen Eighty-Four” but with slapstick comedy, though the ending is as depressing as “Nineteen Eighty-Four.”

The Grammys: Lionel Richie’s “Can’t Slow Down” wins Album Of The Year and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” wins Record And Song Of The Year.

SPEAKING OF Tina Turner, The title track to Turner’s big comeback album, Private Dancer, is released. Suck on that, Ike!

Tina Turner—“Private Dancer.”


CNN reporter Jeremy Levin is freed from captivity in Lebanon. He is one of many foreign people kidnapped in Lebanon.

[Midnight Hulk]

Nelson Mandela rejects an offer of freedom from the South African government.

Whitney Houston’s self titled debut album is released. The crack would come much later.

Whitney Houston—“How Will I Know.”


The FDA approves a blood test for AIDS.

“The Breakfast Club” comes out, and soon young adolescents can’t wait to feel ways about stuff.

Also, the movie makes a hit out of the Simple Minds song “Don’t You Forget About Me.”

Simple Minds—“Don’t You Forget About Me.”


Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight throws a chair across the court during a game against Purdue after a ref made a call he didn’t like. People are shocked but secretly agree that it was awesome.

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Mikhail Gorbachev becomes General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party and de facto leader of the Soviet Union. Everyone wonders what the hell that thing on his head is.

The Smiths release their classic second album, Meat Is Murder. I’m guessing they’re vegetarians. Don’t know why; just call it a hunch.

The Smiths—“How Soon Is Now?”


Jenga becomes popular. Remember: always move a center block.

Monster trucks capture the hearts and minds of rednecks.

U.S. drug agent Enrique Camarena is kidnapped and murdered in Mexico on February 9. His body is discovered March 5. In his memory, Red Ribbon Week is created to teach kids about drugs. You know, that one week in October you had to show up to school wearing a red ribbon? It was because of him.

Sade’s Diamond Life is released in the U.S. And, it’s pronounced “Shar-day,” not “Say-d” or “Say-dee.”

Sade—“Smooth Operator.”


Academy Awards: “Amadeus” wins Best Picture, Best Director (Milos Foreman), Best Actor (F. Murray Abraham), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Peter Shaffer). And, it inspired Falco’s biggest hit. That’s the most important accomplishment of all.

Also, Sally Field gives an infamous speech at said Oscars: “You like me! You really like me!”

[Midnight Hulk]

Moonlighting debuts, notable for the comeback of Cybil Shepard, the launching of Bruce Willis’s career, the “Will they, or won’t they?” relationship of the two main characters, and the show’s meta-fictional content. Oh! And, that cool theme song.

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers release their Southern Accents album. A notable track on the album is “Don’t Come Around Here No More” because of its infamous video where Tom Petty as the Mad Hatter eats a cake made up of Alice. I wonder what that cake tasted like.

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers—“Don’t Come Around Here No More.”


The first WrestleMania is held in Madison Square Garden with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T VS “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff as the main event.

“Just One Of The Guys” gives the world one of filmdom’s great boob shots. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGibIaY7MSY

Villanova upsets Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament finals.

David Lee Roth leaves Van Halen and goes solo, releasing the single “Just A Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody.” Suck on that, Eddie!

David Lee Roth—“Just A Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody.”


Coca-Cola releases New Coke, which becomes a huge bust. www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4YvmN1hvNA

[Midnight Hulk]

1985: May-August. 38 spectators are killed when a wall collapses under pressure from fleeing fans after a riot broke out at the European Cup final between Liverpool F.C. and Juventas.

Michael Jordan becomes a sensation on the basketball court, and Air Jordans become a sensation with kids, despite their parents not being able to afford them. Thanks a lot, Nike.

Sting releases his first solo album, The Dream Of The Blue Turtles. Now, he doesn’t have any arrested development from the Police.

Sting—“If You Love Somebody Set Them Free.”


L.A. Lakers defeat Boston Celtics in a rematch from the 1984 NBA Finals. Suck on that Boston!

Edmonton Oilers win their second Stanley Cup over Philadelphia Flyers. f***ing Philadelphia.

The Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior is bombed and sunk in Auckland harbor by French DGSE agents. Who’s gonna save the whales now?

Dire Straits become very rich with Brothers In Arms and “Money For Nothing.” Ironically, that song is about a working class stiff making fun of rock stars who get rich just making music.

Dire Straits—“Money For Nothing.”


Crack is whack!

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The Tonys: Best Play: Biloxi Blues, Best Musical: Big River, Best Reproduction: A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg.

Yello releases probably the strangest song to be a hit in the 1980s: “Oh Yeah.”

Yello—“Oh Yeah.”


The Nintendo NES and Super Mario Bros. are released. Kids rejoice. Turtles do not.

Ruth Lawrence, 13, achieves a first in mathematics at Oxford University, becoming the youngest British person ever to earn a first-class degree and the youngest known graduate of Oxford University. What the hell have you done with your life!?

The Miami Sound Machine and their Primitive Love album and unleash the Conga on everyone. Thanks a lot, Gloria Estefan.

Miami Sound Machine—“Conga.”


Route 66 is discontinued. The road’s still around, but you can’t get your kicks on Route 66 anymore.

Calvin Klein releases its Obsession commercials. Many wonder why they’re so pretentious.

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Larry King’s talk show, Larry King Live, debuts. He’s no longer on the air, but he was just a few months ago. Man, that guy’s old.

Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” is the number 1 song in America on the day I was born! And, I share a birthday with Prince, Liam Neesen, and Mick Foley. My birthday rules.

Tears For Fears—“Everybody Wants To Rule The World.”
www.dailymotion.com/video/x3whhf_tears-for-fears-everybody-wants-to_music

The summer sees the releases of:
“Back To The Future,” when this movie hits 88 mph, you gonna see some serious s***.

“Teen Wolf,” two movies and a TV show—man, Michael J. Fox was everywhere. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbIerQkXm_k

“A View To A Kill,” Roger Moore’s last Bond film, which is good because it looked like he was about to have a heart attack in this film.

“Weird Science,” which made Kelly LeBrock famous (thank God!).

“The Goonies,” which came out on the day I was born. Pretty cool, huh?

“Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” which was directed by Tim Burton; a little shocking but it makes sense when you think about it.

“St. Elmo’s Fire,” the movie featuring the most members of the Brat Pack.

“Fletch,” Chevy Chase’s favorite role.

And, “Cocoon,” which features old people having sex…great.

The bigger the hair, the better. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980s_fashion

Talking Heads’ success continues with Little Creatures. This is probably the weirdest band that ever got famous.

Talking Heads—“And She Was.”


The Live Aid concerts take place in London and Philadelphia to raise money for famine relief. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LncAQR47eZo

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The wreckage of the R.M.S. Titanic is found. Jack’s body was not recovered. Sorry ladies.

Heart’s self-titled album comes out. Soon, a trend emerges in Heart’s videos: the camera focuses on Nancy Wilson while just showing her sister Ann’s head because Ann gained some weight. Sexist, isn’t it?

Heart—“These Dreams.”


Before energy drinks, there was Jolt Cola.

Day-Glo fashion blinds people.

Teddy Ruxpin hits toy shelves and TV screens. Parents find it to be a little creepy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGrhQXtn92g

Til Tuesday gets famous thanks to their debut album, Voices Carry, and its title track, with its video getting heavy rotation on MTV. People must have really like Aimee Mann’s weird haircut back then.

Til Tuesday—“Voices Carry.”


Richard Ramirez AKA The Night Stalker is captured in L.A. after killing 14 plus people.

The Brat Pack: Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, and Ally Sheedy.

DC debuts Crisis Of Infinite Earths to relaunch most of its comic series in order to bring in new fans.

[Midnight Hulk]

1985: September-December. A huge earthquake strikes Mexico City, killing around 10,000 people.

Sylvester Stallone unleashes two sequels of his most famous characters, Rocky and Rambo: “Rocky IV” and “Rambo: First Blood Part II.” In one, he topples Communism by winning a boxing match, and in the other, he goes to Vietnam in order to get revenge for the Vietnam War. Guess where Stallone’s politics lean toward. (Hint: it’s the right.)

Kate Bush’s Hounds Of Love is released. Bush has a reputation for making weird ass music videos. Just look at “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God).”

Kate Bush—“Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God).”


Ryan White, a young boy who contracted HIV from a contaminated blood test, tries to return to his school in Kokomo, Indiana and is met with resistance and protest from parents who are afraid that they’ll contact HIV from White.

The Parents Music Resource Center manages to get Senate hearings on the mature content of popular songs, i.e. they’re filled with sex and bad language. The hearings are notable for opposing testimony from Frank Zappa, John Denver, and Dee Snider. Never the less, the hearings result in the infamous Parental Advisory stickers that mark all albums with explicit content. Ironically, the sticker ends up boosting the sales of CDs it’s on.

The Chicago Bears record and release “The Super Bowl Shuffle,” starting a trend of crappy rap songs made by sports teams. video.google.com/videoplay?docid=765019771919333912#

A-ha becomes big thanks to their debut album, Hunting High and Low, and their most famous song, “Take On Me,” which had one of the most iconic videos of the decade. Not bad for a band from Norway.

A-ha—“Take On Me.”


The Emmys: Outstanding Drama Series: Cagney & Lacey and Outstanding Comedy: The Cosby Show.

[Midnight Hulk]

TV shows that debuted in the fall:
MacGyver, which got on TV thanks to some gum, some duct tape, a nail file, a copper wire, a battery, and a tube sock.

Jem, it was outrageous…truly, truly outrageous.

The Pound Puppies, popular on TV and in toy stores. Parents like them because they don’t have to get their kids a real dog.

227, the show that made Jackée Harry famous.

Growing Pains, which had the awesome Alan Thicke and Kirk Cameron, who would become annoyingly pushy with his born-again Christianity.

And The Golden Girls, thank you for being a friend, ladies.

“Commando” comes to theaters. Men nearly explode from all the testosterone the movie produces. Warning: just the trailer may do the same thing. Watch with caution: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh-QUh69MCg

Tom Waits’s classic album, Rain Dogs, is released. It features the song “Downtown Train,” which would later be covered by Rod Stewart. Needless to say, Waits’s version is better.

Tom Waits—“Downtown Train.”


“After Hours” is released. It’s a comedy from Martin Scorsese! No, I’m not joking.

Pete Rose breaks Ty Cobb’s all-time hit record. It was Charlie Hustle’s happiest moment. Wanna bet that will be a distant memory in just four years?

Kansas City Royals beat St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Game 6 becomes infamous for a blown call when umpire Don Denkinger called Royals first batter Jorge Orta save at first when he was actually out; the ball got to the baseman first.

The Replacements release another classic album, Tim. They’re on a roll.

The Replacements—“Bastards Of The Young.”


North And South mini-series debuts on ABC. It features Patrick Swayze, Kirstie Alley, Elizabeth Taylor, Morgan Fairchild, Wayne Newton, Linda Evans, Peter O’Toole, and Billy Dee Williams. The Civil War hasn’t looked this glamorous since “Gone With The Wind.”