John Lennon was murdered on this date, December 8th in 1980. The Beatles are my favorite band, ever, and I still miss John every day.
Tag Archives: 1980
Classic New Wave Single of The Day: OMD’s “Red Frame/White Light”
On This Date, February 1st in 1980: Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (generally known simply as OMD) released the awkward dance single, “Red Frame/White Light” from the group’s self-titled debut album. The song’s title refers to old school UK based telephone booths.
Thanks to Your Prime Source For Eighties Music Knowledge, The P5 Blogspot for the Tip!
Red Frame, White Light
RIP Led Zeppelin
Best. Band. Ever.
On This Date, July 7th in 1980: Led Zeppelin performed their last concert with their original lineup at the Eissporthalle in West Berlin, Germany. Coincidentally, twelve years earlier on his very date, Jimmy Page’s former band, The Yardbirds, broke up, which paved the way for Page to form Zeppelin. I am going to load some Led Zeppelin tunes onto my iPod right now! Led Zeppelin!
Remembering Ian Curtis
July 15, 1956 – May 18, 1980
One This Date, May 18th in 1980: Joy Divison vocalist, Ian Curtis committed suicide by hanging himself in the kitchen of his home. Curtis, who had suffered from epilepsy and depression, was just 23 years old. To all his fans, and to those that didn’t really know anything about him or the band’s music, but who still love a compelling and beautifully directed / photographed biography, I highly recommend the film Control, directed by Anton Corbijn, which is just excellent and available now on DVD.
The Teardrop Explodes Release Kilimanjaro
“When I Dream, I Dream About You…”
On This Date, May 14th, in 1980: The Teardrop Explodes released their debut album, Kilimanjaro. It contained the singles, “Sleeping Gas,” “Bouncing Babies,” “When I Dream,” “Ha Ha I’m Drowning” and “Treason (It’s Just A Story).” The first three songs were different versions than those that appeared on the album. Kilimanjaro reached the #24 spot on the U.K. albums chart. The Liverpool, England post punk band disbanded in 1982 after two albums. Lead singer Julian Cope went on to become a successful solo artist and write a few cool books, the best one being his autobiography, Head On, which is just insane. Julian also once personally answered a fan letter I wrote to him, way back in the eighties before the time of the Interwebs. I have that letter framed and hanging on the wall of my home office, where I see it everyday as I sit at my iMac, writing clever and informative blog posts for you!