Like.…..You know.... Totally Radical Dude!

1. The 1980’s Like.…..You know.... Totally Radical Dude!

2. The 1980’s – a new generation was brought up on television and video images. If the 70’s were about relaxing and having fun, the 80’s were about moving forward. Our country saw a great deal of change in this decade, and, as we learned before, the music was right at the heart of the action.

3. An all-new television station that only played “music videos” was started. MTV premiered with the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

4. MTV changed music forever. Now more than ever, the image of the musician was as important as their musical talent.

5. Things were looking good for America. In the 1980 Olympics, the American hockey team (which did NOT feature any NHL players) beat the Russians to win the Gold Medal in Lake Placid, New York.

6. Americans had rallied together to see the release of the 53 Americans who had been held hostage in Iran in 1979.

7. April 12, 1981 Americans saw a renewed interest in space exploration with the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia, the first reusable spacecraft.

8. There was even a Cowboy in the White House. Ronald Reagan’s former career as a Hollywood actor made him comfortable in front of the camera. His cowboy image, backed up with tough talk and the biggest peacetime military buildup since World War II, helped to bolster a renewed sense of Patriotism. Reagan enjoyed one of the highest approval ratings of any President.

9. Bruce Springsteen, a gritty singer from New Jersey, had been a popular singer for several years. But his career exploded in the early 80’s when “Born in the USA” was released.

10. The song became an anthem for blue collar America, and Springsteen became a working class hero.

11. The Pride that Americans were feeling left them rooting for the little guy. In some cases, the REALLY little guy. A young Drew Barrymore with…

13. E.T. left everyone wanting to help him “phone home,” and eat Reeses’ Pieces.

14. The music of American composer John Williams was a major part in bringing the E.T. story to life. His collaboration with Steven Spielberg and other movie directors has resulted in such memorable films (and film music) as Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, JAWS, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Superman, Home Alone, and about 100 other movies and shows.

15. During the 80’s, the Cold War heated up. The Cold War was a period of East-West nuclear competition, tension, and conflict. Reagan denounced the Soviet leaders as scoundrels who lied, cheated, and stole in order to advance the cause of communism. Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev

16. Reagan also referred to the Soviet Union as “The Evil Empire.” In 1982, he promised to reduce the Soviet-style communism to the "ash heap of history."

17. The Band Genesis, led by Phil Collins, expressed the fear and confusion of all Americans in the video “Land of Confusion.”

18. During the 80’s, we saw that music became increasingly more visual as MTV and music videos were slowly taking the place of radio. But our society was also becoming more visually oriented in other ways as well. Whether at work……. This is a standard desktop computer in the 80’s.

19. …….or at play. Anyone know this video game console? The music for these games was awful and repetitive.

20. Space Shuttle missions were very visual too, but they were becoming commonplace and people were losing interest. To promote their program , NASA decided to allow a civilian to go on a space mission. Who would be the first civilian to go into space? NASA decided that a teacher would be the best candidate, and so, after sorting through many applications, NASA picked school teacher Christa McAuliffe.

21. The teachers that were rejected by NASA received a letter like this. This belongs to the father of one of my student teachers. He was rather upset he wasn’t picked to go into space.

22. However, later on, Mr. Matrisch was thankful that he wasn’t selected. Excerpt from Poem “Under a Clear Blue Sky” Author: Unknown Song: “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel

23. A scene from out of a nightmare... A pillar of smoke reaching to the heavens. Expressions of shock and disbelief on the faces of onlookers.

24. Stunned silence from officials and controllers. All eyes riveted upon images of death and destruction.

25. Images.         Repeated.                 Over.                        And over.

26. Involuntary prayers follow the smoke on its upward climb, seeking to protect the souls borne heavenward on its billows.

27. Our pride.  Our confidence. Our humanity. Shattered. In a moment. In the twinkling of an eye.

28. Tuesday... under a clear blue sky. The day the Challenger fell.

29. The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on Jan. 28, 1986, just seconds after take off, killing all seven crew members.

30. Billy Joel, a popular artist of the 70’s, became stronger than ever when he hit the top of the charts with We Didn’t Start the Fire. Generation “X” (25 to 40 year-olds) had been receiving slack from the older and younger generations for all of the problems that had arisen in the 80’s, but Billy Joel points out in this song that all kinds of problems were around before we were born.

31. Throughout the 80’s, Reagan and Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev clearly came to respect, and even like one another. They held a series of summit meetings, eventually leading to a huge arms reduction treaty. What does arms reduction mean?

32. Reagan demanded “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall,” referring to the Berlin Wall, long a symbol of the struggle between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

33. In perhaps the best acting performance of his lifetime, Reagan proposed a satellite – laser missile defense system, immediately dubbed “Star Wars”. He may even have convinced the Soviets that it was not only possible, but actually already up in space.

34. In 1989, the Berlin Wall came crashing down, and the Soviet Union itself wasn’t far behind.

35. Madonna began with aspirations to be a ballerina. "Borderline" became her first Top 10 hit in March of 1984, beginning a remarkable string of 17 consecutive Top 10 hits. Madonna began working on her first starring role in a feature film, Susan Seidelman's Desperately Seeking Susan.

36. Madonna's second album, Like a Virgin, started a frenzy in the United States, fueled by a slew of sexy videos and scores of young teens mimicking her style. Her image exploded, selling millions of records on the back of hits like, "Material Girl."

37. New Wave Flock of Seagulls There were several musical movements in the 80’s, but New Wave was probably the most popular.

38. New Wave Throughout the 80’s, this band was huge. Their songs were in the Top 10 around the world. When they performed on Saturday Night Live, they were mobbed by fans outside and a police riot squad had to control the crowd. They performed on MTV’s first New Year’s Bash. Their theme song to James Bond film “A View to a Kill” was the first ever to reach #1.

39. New Wave Duran Duran always had sold-out crowds on each major US arena tour. They were the first act to utilize live video cameras and screens in their shows. The hysteria reached "Beatle mania" proportions. They broke every existing merchandise record. Princess Diana had declared them her favorite band.

40. New Wave Led by the very colorful Boy George, this New Wave band hit the top of the charts with “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” “Karma Chameleon,” and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya.” (yes, he’s really a boy)

41. New Wave Her first solo album, She's So Unusual, was released and went on to sell more than 4.5 million copies in the United States alone. Moreover, the album was the first of a female artist to score four Top Five singles from a debut album: Girls Just Want To Have Fun, Time After Time, She Bop and All Through The Night. Cindy Lauper

42. New Wave During the late 80’s these boys were not as much a musical group as a cultural phenomena. Pre-teen girls screamed and went wild when the group performed or made public appearances. Serious music lovers mocked them, but their records sold by the millions. They helped pave the way for other boy bands like Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync.

43. New Wave From Athens, GA, this group had eclectic quirky grooves and charismatic vocals. “Rock Lobster,” and “Love Shack” are the tunes that made them pop superstars. Their live shows were high octane, theatrical music extravaganzas.

44. The 1980’s End of Part 1

45. The 1980’s Part 2

46. With images and music now forever tied together, it was only a matter of time until the music was exploited to sell products. The Cola Wars are a good example of how musicians and their music are used to persuade our purchasing choices.

47. Here is Michael Jackson using his image, music, and dance moves to endorse Pepsi products. The little boy is Alfonso Ribeiro, better known as Carlton Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air TV show.

48. The self-titled "King of Pop," Michael Jackson has led a troubled and controversial private life while releasing a string of hit albums, including Thriller, currently the most popular record of all time with total sales of 46 million. This song you are listening to is called “Beat It.” Make a note of it because it will be on your listening test.

49. Jackson became a media icon thanks to his trademarks: stunning break-dancing moves (especially the "Moonwalk"), a shy, girlish voice, a single white sequined glove, sunglasses, and untied shoe laces.

50. Thriller spent 37 weeks at No. 1 and sold 24 million copies (at the time), spinning off MTV hits like "Beat It" and "Billy Jean," and the title single, which was accompanied by an innovative video which was also released in movie theaters. Thriller Video