This ’80s coming-of-age tale, while thoroughly entertaining, is a movie of somewhat lost or unrealized opportunities. Unlike other 80s teen movies, this one lacks substance or really any admirable characters.  Julie’s (the female protagonist) ex-hippie parents are the closest thing to ‘role models’ because they want their daughter to make her own decisions uninfluenced by social pressures.



It’s your typical “boy meets girl” movie plot, but more along the lines of a disjointed Romeo & Juliet. The movie starts with the Julie and her close friends at the mall (the mall was the old Sherman Oaks Galleria for those who recall that long gone Icon to 80’s retail therapy), shopping. Then Julie breaks up with her egotistical boyfriend, Tommy, on the escalators as she’s exiting the mall. Julie seems almost cruel when she breaks up with him. The break seems to mean nothing to her, and even less to her friends.



The girls head to the beach, where Julie first encounters Randy, the hot...

Click to expand...

When we think about the 80s, one of our entertainment favorites are the police procedural shows of that era. Today we fondly remember things like European styling, “teenage” cops, male and female detective pairs, and a crime-solving mystery writer. These were the shows that bring the 80s back to life for us.



Remington Steele



Remington Steele was a television series co-created by Robert Butler and Michael Gleason. The series, starring Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan, was broadcast on NBC from 1982 to 1987. The series blended romantic comedy, drama, and police procedural. The show’s premise was a woman named Laura Holt starts a detective agency, only to find that no one wants to hire a woman, no matter how qualified she is. She then invents a fictitious male superior she names “Remington Steele” as a creative solution to her dilemma. Enter Pierce Brosnan’s character, a former thief and con man (whose real name even he proves not to know and is never...

Click to expand...

Madonna, the artist often referred to as the “Queen of Pop,” was born Madonna Louise Ciccone (see she came by her stage name legitimately!) on August 16, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan. From relatively humble beginnings, Madonna approached the music industry on her own terms and ended up, well… “The Queen of Pop!” To a degree, she followed the advice of P.T. Barnum in that she used the media to create exposure for herself and ignored the controversies that she often left in her wake. She became an international icon in the ’80s with her hit songs, style trends and controversial music videos. Known for pushing boundaries and reinventing her music and image, she was considered one of the most provocative figures of the ’80s.



Madonna moved to New York City in 1978 to pursue a career in dancing. Instead, she established herself as a singer and was signed by Sire Records in 1982. Sire released her single “Everybody” that same...

Click to expand...

REM: The Unheralded Instigator of Grunge



In the Beginning



As we moved past the middle-80’s, we saw a shift from the artistic creativity of earlier in the decade, to a what many felt was a blander and formulistic approach to pop, rock, New Wave and dance music. Many bands continued to pursue their music ambitions by caving into music executives demands for “more of the same.” And yet, there were a few, brave artists that refused to give up their dreams of creativity, innovation, and self-determination. The youth of the late 80’s often felt that music no longer represented the angst, insecurity, and rebellion that they were experiencing as they moved towards adulthood. It was this dichotomy between what music labels thought would make money and what much of the younger fanbase wanted that helped lead to the sudden, revolutionary explosion out of the Pacific Northwest that would become Grunge.



Yet, while we credit the “Seattle Scene” for this genre of music...

Click to expand...

When we typically think of Cannabis usage, we normally go back in time to the 60’s or perhaps a bit earlier, to the Prohibition era, when it was sold quietly in speak easies focused on weed, called “Teapads.” But human culture has been intertwined with Marijuana for far longer. 



We can find evidence of it usage long before we had modern nations. The first definitive evidence of people getting high was around 1500 BCE, to give you context, this is about the same time that farming was spreading throughout the eastern US, the first truly sophisticated civilization had arisen in China and it was the bronze age throughout Europe. So who was getting stoned back then? The Celts, the Germanic peoples, the Chinese, the Africans, pretty much everyone!



 Now if you think that criticism of weed is a more industrial age thing, you couldn’t be more wrong. We have ample evidence of Hashish usage in Medieval Egypt. Many reported that the drug made them high, hungry, and a bit lethargic...

Click to expand...

Ask any drummer for their top 5 favorite drummers, and Neil Peart’s name will pop up on a larger percentage of those lists for a variety of reasons.  Peart was a “drummer’s drummer,” so technically spectacular that he was nicknamed “The Professor” for his pure mastery of the craft.



Peart elevated expectations for proficiency of the drums and soloing, often crediting his biggest influences Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich for his inspiration and sheer drive to take his ability to the very top.  While most rock drummers refrained from jazz and opted for louder and heavier beats, Peart trained himself in traditional jazz. However, he was also influenced by the incomparable Keith Moon of the Who, and John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. His drumming was renowned for its technical proficiency and his live performances for their exacting nature and stamina. Peart reflected on his influences and inspirations in Modern Drummer: “It will be understood, I hope, that the idea of being inspired by other...

Click to expand...

What can I say about the late, great John Lennon that hasn’t already been said numerous times? He was a brilliant musician, an Avant Garde poet, an outspoken, and sometimes, rebellious visionary, and most certainly, an icon. He was a husband, a father, a lover, and an idol. He was a million different things to a million different people.



But more than that, he was a man. He definitely had his faults, no doubt there. His son Julian Lennon has often been quoted as saying he was a rather poor excuse for a father. In 1998, Julian said “Dad could talk about peace and love out loud to the world, but he could never show it to the people who supposedly meant the most to him: his wife and son.” (speaking of the relationship between John, Cynthia, and Julian). Since that interview, Jules has made inner peace with his father’s memory.



Son, Sean Lennon, on the other hand, has many wonderful memories of the man they both call ‘Dad’. “For me, John is still alive. I believe he’s...

Click to expand...

Elton John (“EJ”) is an artist that almost everyone recognizes. But there’s another side to the singer’s success, and that’s his long-time lyricist partner, Bernie Taupin, or the other half of Elton John. Taupin has been writing the lyrics for one of music’s greatest showmen for over half a century. Yet, to many, he is a virtual unknown.



The pair met in 1967, when each of them replied to an advertisement placed in the music magazine NME by Liberty Records searching for singer/songwriter artists. Taupin, who was a farmer’s son, was only 17 at the time, and EJ (who still went by the name Reg Dwight) was 20.



Though they were relatively close in age when they first met, 17-year-old Taupin was in awe of EJ. “I was the quintessential country bumpkin and he was sophisticated,” Taupin told the Daily Mail of their early years together. “He lived in London and played in clubs! So, he looked out for me. He was like a big brother.”



At that time, EJ...

Click to expand...

When I started working on this article, “Women of Soul,” I was initially doing research on another article, “Women of Motown”. To my surprise, I discovered that many of the women who were on our most popular soul music singers list were not signed to this top-selling funk and soul music label. In order to make this a more comprehensive and complete article, I had to widen the parameters a bit. After all, what would a “Women in Soul” article be without Aretha? Or Etta James? Or Patti Labelle? Along with Diana Ross, these were the women who broke down the barriers for females in soul music genre.



Etta James



Upon hearing the first powerful notes of “At Last”, you just knew Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins) was going to be a force to be reckoned with. James received her first professional vocal training at the age of five from James Earle Hines, the choir director of her church in Watts. Allegedly...

Click to expand...

One question we often hear from fans at Pop Daze is “Whatever happened to XYZ band or artist?” Sometimes seemingly successful bands suddenly disappear or fade quietly away. Often members of a band go on to very successful solo careers, while others move forward to have success with other bands. In our quest for knowledge of everything pop culture, let’s explore a few of these missing-in-action bands from the 60’s.



Tommy James & The Shondells



When you think of 60’s bands, one that often comes to mind is Tommy James & The Shondells. They were a rock band, formed in Michigan in 1964. Surprisingly, they only had two No. 1 singles in the U.S., “Hanky Panky” (July 1966) and “Crimson and Clover” (February 1969). But they also charted twelve other Top 40 hits, including five in the Hot 100’s top ten: “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Mirage,” “Mony Mony,” “Sweet Cherry Wine,” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion.”



The band started...

Click to expand...

From the very first driving notes of the intro to the song “Layla,” written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, you know this tune’s gonna rock. Originally released by their group, Derek and the Dominos, in November 1970, the song initially wasn’t very popular. Two versions later it achieved chart success, the first in 1972 and the second 20 years later as an acoustic MTV Unplugged solo performance by Clapton.



As the story goes, the song was initially inspired by a love story that originated in “The Story of Layla and Majnun” by 12th-century Persian poet, Nizami Ganjavi. The book moved Clapton profoundly, it was the tale of a young man who fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful young girl, then went crazy after discovering that he could not marry her. Clapton felt the angst behind the story, which eerily paralleled his personal situation at that time with his unrequited love of Pattie Boyd, who was his...

Click to expand...

For a band that almost didn’t happen, the Police were truly outlaws, instead of “Outlaws of Love” by the end of their somewhat rocky road. Formed in London in 1977,the line-up consisted of primary songwriter Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar), and Stewart Copeland (drums).



Initially considered a “new wave band,” their style was influenced by punk, reggae, and jazz, and was multi-dimensional and transcended traditional genre categorization. Their first album was initially recorded with a budget of £1,500 that the band borrowed from Stewart Copeland’s brother, Miles. The album was recorded over six months, with the band jumping in whenever the studio had free time. Miles agreed to pay additional £2,000 when the album was completed. At first Miles was unhappy with the result, until he heard “Roxanne.” He took that recording to A&M records and persuaded them to release it as a standalone single. The...

Click to expand...

“I Want My MTV!” Who remembers the first time you heard that phrase? Did you ever realize the impact those 4 words would make? Today, we interview a true insider on the early days of MTV.



In the beginning:



“On Saturday, August 1, 1981, at 12:01 AM Eastern Time, MTV launched with the words “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll,” spoken by John Lack and played over footage of the first Space Shuttle launch countdown of Columbia (which took place earlier that year) and of the launch of Apollo 11.”And we were lifted off, to a previously unimaginable new world!



Remembering the first video, “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles, the sense of excitement that came with it, and the subsequent videos? It’s mind-blowing to hear the story of how it came to be during MTV’s early days. Almost everyone knows that first video. But do you remember the second one they played? *(answer at the end of the blog)*



Your favorite vintage blogger (that would be me), Tami...

Click to expand...

Gram Parsons’ star blazed bright, but sadly, burned out far too soon. Born Ingram Cecil Connor III in Winter Haven, FL, his early life was badly shaken when his biological father committed suicide when he was 12. His mother quickly remarried, and young Gram took the surname of his step-father, Robert Parsons. For a time, the family found a stability of sorts. They were later torn apart in early 1965, when Robert became embroiled in an extramarital affair and Avis’ heavy drinking led to her death from cirrhosis on June 5, 1965, the day of Gram’s graduation from Bolles Academy in Jacksonville Fl.



Gram Parsons found his salvation in music, which he discovered at an early age after seeing Elvis Presley perform in 1956, when he was 10. After honing his craft, he later performed in a variety of local bands anywhere that would allow them to play – mostly coffeehouses, and high schools auditoriums. It was later, during a short stint at Harvard...

Click to expand...

The Eagles’ first reunion tour was a full-on shock to music fans who never thought they would play together again. After they parted in 1980, Don Henley was categorical all along, stating that the band would get back together “when hell freezes over.” Apparently, everyone was wrong. On Nov. 8, 1994, they released “Hell Freezes Over.”



After appearing together at a charity event, the men realized there was too much left unsaid, and decided to give it another shot. A film studio in Burbank, Calif., was booked and over a two day period in April 1994, the Eagles recorded a MTV special, which resulted in the live tracks found on Hell Freezes Over. The DVD has the full 17 song performance, the CD has 11 tracks.



The video starts with Glenn Frey stating, “For the record, we never broke up. We just took a 14-year vacation.” And with those words came the infinite magic that is, was, and will always be, the Eagles. Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmidt, and Don Felder...

Click to expand...

Franco De Vita, the man who would become one of the faces of Latin Rock, is a Venezuelan Latin Grammy winning singer/songwriter whose career mushroomed in the late 80’s. De Vita was born in Caracas, Venezuela on January 23, 1954 and thirty years later he released his first disc “Franco De Vits” as a solo artist in 1984. For wider international exposure, De Vita joined the CBS label. In 2014, he was inducted into the Billboard Latin Music of Fame. As a songwriter, he has written songs for the likes of Ricky Martin and Chayanne. Some of Franco De vita’s international smash hits that lead him to stardom include, “Solo Importas Tu (Only You Matter),” “Te Amo (I Love You)” and of course, my favorite from the 1990 “Extranjero (Stranger)” album, “No Basta (It’s Not Enough)” This song is as timely today as it was in 1990.



It is the story of a father raising his son as best as he can, but the father feels that he can never do...

Click to expand...

In 1973, when the punk rock movement was just barely beginning to coalesce from the garage rock movement into something much more extreme, a man named Hilly Kristal took possession of a restaurant and bar that had been a 19th century saloon, a biker bar and finally a dive bar. He had opened an earlier club there that had failed and then re-opened it with a bigger focus on live performances than his earlier attempt.



Kristal was the son of two Russian Jewish immigrants who settled in New York, and after a stint in the Marines, he managed his first club, a jazz joint called The Village Vanguard. In 1966, he and a partner, Rob Deisener, founded the Rheingold Central Park Music Festival. However, by 1968, Kristal left the partnership and opened his own bar in the Bowery section of New York city, which promptly closed within a few years.



It was then that Kristal decided to try something a little different and his next venture would change...

Click to expand...

Did you know that edibles represent one of the fastest growing consumer product categories within the Cannabis industry nationally? If you prefer to avoid smoking or vaping cannabis, or can’t tolerate smoke, cannabis infused edibles are a great alternative. This article will focus on both homemade and industry cannabis edibles. This first one will introduce you to the basics regarding the making and processing of edibles and your first steps in making your own.



The process of making edibles is very similar to making cannabis concentrates; the goal being a pure, therapeutic combination. The main difference is that edibles typically utilize a fatty, food-grade solvent such as butter, as opposed to a hydrocarbon like butane, to extract the cannabinoids from the originating material. There are literally hundreds of ways to make edibles, and most of them will work to some degree. Edibles can be made using nearly any cannabis product. Just keep in mind that the quality and potency of...

Click to expand...