Episodes
Tuesday Jan 31, 2017
Episode 91 - Valerie Day and John Smith of Nu Shooz
Tuesday Jan 31, 2017
Tuesday Jan 31, 2017
When talking about the indelible hits of the 80s, it doesn't get much bigger than "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz. Led by the husband and wife team of John Smith and Valerie Day, Nu Shooz finally hit the maintstream after years of plugging away on the Portland, OR club scene when "I Can't Wait" reached #3 on the pop charts (#1 on the dance chart) in 1986, embedding one of the most "iconic" basslines into the brains of music fans around the world. Their major label debut album, Poolside, also featured the #28 hit "Point of No Return", but sadly the follow up didn't perform as well and Nu Shooz releases slowed down from there. But the groove of "I Can't Wait" has never gone away from the numerous commercials, sampling, sporting events, and general background soundtracking of every day life. It remains a sample of funk and dance envelope pushing as well as studio wizardry. In here we talk about the effects of the song on their lives, what they do outside of music, their influences, and how they've kept a marriage together so long. They're maybe the most pleasant people on earth.
http://www.nushoozmusic.com/
Tuesday Jan 24, 2017
Episode 90 - Bill Wadhams of Animotion
Tuesday Jan 24, 2017
Tuesday Jan 24, 2017
No series on the indelible hits of the 80s would be complete without showcasing the enduring "Obsession" by new wavers Animotion. This week we talk to co-lead singer Bill Wadhams and learn about how their biggest hit came into being and how it effected his career for good and bad. Consider this - you've just achieved world-wide fame, but on very unique terms you weren't mentally prepared for. In the process, the song becomes bigger than you and your talent and abilities get overshadowed. This bittersweet tale has a redeeming end, however, now that Animotion has released their first album featuring Bill and Astrid Plane in almost 30 years, Raise Your Expectations. Plus, it's a home run, something you may not have believed could be possible in 2017. Bill's very honest about the ups and downs of his career and what it feels like to get a second chance at the career you always dreamed of.
http://animotion-obsession.com/
Tuesday Jan 17, 2017
Episode 89 - Nick Van Eede of Cutting Crew
Tuesday Jan 17, 2017
Tuesday Jan 17, 2017
Cutting Crew made a huge splash with their debut album Broadcast in 1986, which featured three top 40 hits including the #1 smash "(I Just) Died In Your Arms". Lead singer Nick Van Eede had the musical chops and hunky good looks to catapult a great band into the mainstream. Unfortunately, a long delayed second album cost the group the momentum it needed to stay there, and Nick's broader and more epic songwriting lost some pop sensibility in the process. They sadly never regained their stature. Over the years, Cutting Crew have released five albums in total, including 2015's Add To Favourites, and held a pleasurable spot on 80s Rewind-type tours throughout the world. Nick talks about his prog influences, the death of his musical partner Kevin Scott MacMichael, his involvement in the creation of Cher's global juggernaut "Believe", and how he nearly replaced Phil Collins in Genesis. Cutting Crew may have seemed gone to those not paying full attention, but Nick has never really gone away.
http://cuttingcrew.biz/
Thursday Jan 12, 2017
Bonus - A discussion on the death and legacy of George Michael with Steve Spears
Thursday Jan 12, 2017
Thursday Jan 12, 2017
2016 just couldn't go quietly, taking the legend George Michael away on Christmas day. To discuss his career and legacy, as well as his untimely death, we bring back Steve Spears of the popular Stuck in the 80s podcast to make sense of it all.
Tuesday Jan 10, 2017
Episode 88 - Fee Waybill of The Tubes
Tuesday Jan 10, 2017
Tuesday Jan 10, 2017
The Tubes were revolutionary for their time, mixing rock music and theatricality in a way few others were doing. At the center stage stood Fee Waybill, one of the greatest frontmen in rock history and one of the most fascinating entertainers ever. Though the Tubes staged legendary performances, they didn't garner any hits until the early 80s when they teamed up with a young David Foster and released singles like "She's a Beauty" and "Don't Want to Wait Anymore" that still get played today. Unfortunately, with success came a splintering in the band. In this conversation, Fee candidly talks about what brought the band down, how he got them out of debt, and what he did after it ended, which included collaborating with best friend Richard Marx just as his career launched into the stratosphere. There are also acting jobs, a property management career, a Tubes comeback and the craziest David Bowie story you'll ever hear.
There's no one like Fee Waybill. He's as good as it gets!
http://www.thetubes.com/
Tuesday Jan 03, 2017
Episode 87 - Wally Palmar of The Romantics
Tuesday Jan 03, 2017
Tuesday Jan 03, 2017
We're kicking off a series on the artists behind some of the indelible hits of the 80s with a legend, Wally Palmar of the Romantics! They are one of the most successful power pop bands ever and recorded a couple of hits that are still ubiquitous today like "Talking In Your Sleep" and, of course, "What I Like About You" (which was actually not a big hit when it came out in 1980). Despite some well-deserved success and a healthy touring schedule today, there were some lean years in the middle that the Romantics had to endure through, but came out the other end on top. We talk about the ups and downs of their career, the diversity of their albums, and how they've soldiered on for 40 years. We also discuss his wonderful side project The Empty Hearts, the supergroup he's in with guys like Clem Burke of Blondie and Elliot Easton of the Cars. Please enjoy!
http://www.romanticsdetroit.com/