Stuck in the ʼ80s

I can feel no sense of measure: The story of 'Leave It' by Yes

As we wrap up a week of mostly rock dinos, we dust off the ‘80s work of Yes and the story for the video of Leave It.

In 1980 it look liked Yes had broken up for good, but they wised up and figured out they needed each other and in 1983 released their most successful album 90125 that spawned their one and only number one hit with Owner Of A Lonely Heart. For their next single, Leave It, they enlisted the creative team of Godley and Cream who decided to make the video for Leave It an event. In total, Godley and Cream made 18 different versions of the video with slightly different special effects of splicing and flipping the band around. MTV had a half-hour documentary on the making of the videos and then aired a marathon showing all eighteen versions that I remember watching a good portion of on my small black and white television located in my bedroom.

The hype was a success and Leave It made its way to No. 24 on the singles chart in the spring of 1984. Perhaps the song would have faired as well anyway, with its great harmonies and the momentum off of Owner Of A Lonely Heart. After the marathon, the video that became the "normal" video and is featured today is version No. 11. …

New Terminator movie: Come with me if you want to ... see the trailer

Is Terminator the one '80s movie franchise that never gets old? (Even when its stars do?) I'm impressed by the trailer for Terminator Genisys. Maybe I'm just a sucker for movies that dust off the classic lines -- "Come with me if you want to live" -- and use them again to heart-thumping results.

Arnold Schwarzenegger returns for this installment, which is set in the year 2029 as freedom fighter John Connor discovers he's under attack from SkyNet in both the present and past. Emilia Clarke takes over the role of of his mother, Sarah Connor. Terminator Genisys is set for a July 1, 2015 release.

30 years later, 'Beverly Hills Cop' still doesn't fall for the banana in the tailpipe

Can you imagine anyone other than Eddie Murphy playing the part of Detroit cop Axel Foley in 1984's Beverly Hills Cop? Truth is that he wasn't the first pick. The part of Foley was originally written for Sylvester Stallone, who left the project when he came up with ideas for his own cop movie (and reportedly because the studio wouldn't stock his preferred brand of orange juice in his trailer). That flick? 1986's Cobra. Bad move, Sly.

Beverly Hills Cop amazingly turns 30 years old on Friday, Dec. 5. Over the last 30 years, you've probably heard your fair share of trivia on this classic '80s comedy. Most fans, for example, know that "Inspector Todd" of the Detroit Police was actually played by real-life Detroit homicide detective Gilbert Hill.

Here are five more things you maybe didn't know about Beverly Hills Cop.

1. Because Stallone was the original Axel Foley, much of the script had to be rewritten for Murphy. Legend has it that the script pages were literally pasted together from various versions and when the pages got stuck together, Murphy would just improv his lines -- sometimes entire scenes. During the "Super Cop" scene, co-stars John Ashton and Judge Reinhold can be seen holding back laughter as Eddie improvised his entire monologue.

2. For an R-ratec movie, Beverly Hills Cop had a "body count" of only 7. Speaking of its rating, Beverly Hills Cop long held the record for highest grossing R-rated film.

3. We all know that Bronson Pinchot -- Serge! -- used his linguistic talents later for TV's Perfect Strangers. But did you know that originally the script called for Pinchot to share that scene with another actor? The director gave Pincot all the screen time after being wowed by his accent.

4. Martin Brest, who directs Beverly Hills Cop, also made a cameo in the movie. He's the clerk who checks Axel out of his hotel.

5. Beverly Hills Cop was the first movie to be shown in 2,000 movie theaters at once. At least one critic wasn't that impressed with the movie. The late Roger Ebert wrote: "Audiences may expect a comedy, but the closing shoot-out seems inspired by the machine gun massacre at the end of Brian De Palma's Scarface, and the whole business with the cocaine is so very, very tired that when we see the boss and his henchmen in the warehouse, we feel like we've switched to another movie -- maybe a dozen other movies." …

Keep the '80s dream alive: 'Follow Your Heart'

In January we featured Triumph and their biggest hit Somebody's Out There, so as we get close to ending the year, we will try to end it Triumphantly as well and this time we our path will be to Follow Your Heart.

Follow Your Heart was a single off the 1984 Thunder Seven album and in 1985 the song, which turned lead vocals over to drummer Gil Moore, reached No. 88 on the singles chart. The video shows off the boys from Canada ability to sell out arenas in the ‘80s including the Civic Center in Providence, RI, where this video was filmed. 

U2 announces dates for 19-city world tour of indoor arenas

Do you want the good news or bad news first? U2 has announced its 2015 tour dates for North America and Europe. That's the good news. And the band is only playing indoor arenas. That's even better. The bad news is that unless you live in one of 19 cities (just 9 of which are in North America), you're out of luck.

Of course, none of the cities are in Florida ... or even the Southeast. The nearest Bono and his mates get to Florida is New York City. The tour is called "Innocence + Experience." I guess that means you'd have to pretty innocent (or naive is the better work) to believe you'll score tickets to experience a show this time around. …

Who was the best '80s movie boyfriend: Lloyd Dobler or Jake Ryan?

It is the critical question of our generation. A taunting choice that has vexed the '80s nation. And it must be answered. Who was the best '80s movie boyfriend: Lloyd Dober from Say Anything? Or Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles?

I invited a new website called Pop Joust to settle the battle once and for all. Or at least until the next time a John Hughes movie marathon is on TV. Go here to vote.

(Personally, my money is on Dobler. I'll take John Cusack in a pop culture joust anytime.)

Is 'Street of Dreams' one of the most underrated videos of the '80s?

A few days ago we featured Deep Purple's return on Lost and Found and their return also spelled the end of Rainbow in the ‘80s, but not before a trip down the Street of Dreams.

Rainbow was formed in the mid-‘70s after Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover ended Deep Purple to start a new band with lead singer Ronnie James Dio. Over the years, Rainbow changed lead singers several times and went for a more radio-friendly style gaining their highest chart success in the ‘80s with Joe Lynn Turner at the mic. In 1982, Rainbow actually hit the Top 40 with Stone Cold and in 1984 they returned with Street of Dreams, which peaked at No. 60 on the singles chart and still gets occasional play on classic rock radio. …

Podcast time: Why Iggy Pop songs were always better as cover songs

Did you know Iggy Pop co-wrote China Girl? You know, the song that David Bowie made famous in the early '80s. Turns out Iggy recorded it first -- though Bowie's version is much, much better. That's just one factoid you'll get on this edition of the Stuck in the '80s podcast. Listen to the original version of songs that amazingly we never knew were covers. And get the latest info on The '80s Cruise along with a full slate of seggies.

Our 500th Lost and Found in the '80s item: King X's 'Summerland'

In the first week of Lost and Found over two years ago, I featured the Morrells, a band from my hometown of Springfield, MO, and now with my 500th entry for Lost and Found, I am going back to my hometown again with King's X and Summerland.

King's X was formed in the ‘80s when bassist and lead singer Doug Pinnick saw the talents of guitarist Ty Tabor and drummer Jerry Gaskill at a concert at Evangel College, a Christian college in Springfield where Tabor and Gaskill were students. In 1985 the band moved to Houston and started to gain notice with their 1989 release of their album Gretchen Goes To Nebraska and songs like Summerland.

The video for Summerland is mostly performance with the conclusion showing the band entering the artwork for the album cover for Gretchen Goes To Nebraska, which landed on many magazine's best album lists of 1989. The underrated band enjoyed a nice cult following but never broke out commercially as the multi-racial group's sound defied categorization though many viewed them as Christian Rock - they were not, even though many songs were about spirituality.   …

Cyber Monday deal extended to Dec. 3 for The '80s Cruise

Cyber Monday wasn't a thing back in the '80s, but The '80s Cruise is going to right that historic wrong by giving '80s fans the ultimate early holiday present: They've extended their Cyber Monday deal to Wednesday, Dec. 3.

So here's the Cyber Wednesday deal: When you book a cabin through Dec. 3, The '80s Cruise will provide you with free trip insurance. Not familiar with trip insurance? Basically it allows you to can cancel your booking for almost any reason and collect a refund. (But of course, why would you want to?!?) This offer is available only to the first 100 people who book a cabin. See the details.

Also, a new monthly payment plan has been introduced. You can make your reservations prior to the holidays with $0 down. Your monthly payments would begin Feb. 15, 2015, and would start as low as $142 per month, per person (based on double occupancy). After you book, The '80s Cruise will send you an 80s Cruise Holiday Certificate to present to your loved one. See the details. …

Here's the other 'Perfect Strangers' from the '80s

As we return from the Thanksgiving holiday we start off in a classic rock mood, so let's start our "Dance of Joy" with the ‘80s return of Deep Purple and Perfect Strangers.

At one point in their life, everyone has air-guitared the opening riffs to Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water and in 1984 the band reformed after an eight-year breakup to record the Perfect Strangers comeback album. Perfect Strangers features the classic Deep Purple lineup with Ian Gillian on vocals, Roger Glover on bass and Ritchie Blackmore on guitar. The title song reached No. 12 on the Mainstream Rock Track charts and the video features the behind the scenes recording in Stowe, Vermont plus some Deep Purple recreation like soccer and hot air ballons. The return of the band was a success as their 1985 tour was the second-highest grossing tour of the year in the US behind only Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The USA" Tour.

1984 was not also the return of Deep Purple but when Bronson Pinchot caught viewer's eyes as Serge in Beverly Hills Cop. That role helped lead to the TV show Perfect Strangers that ran from 1986 to 1993 and introduced us to Larry "Watch and Learn" and Balki "Don't Be Ridiculous".  …

'Christmas Vacation' turns 25: Five things you probably missed about the holiday classic

"Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together." Those wise words were spoken, of course, by Chevy Chase 25 years old.

Hard to believe, but National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation celebrates its silver anniversary on Dec. 1. Like the original Vacation movie, Christmas Vacation is based on a short story by the late John Hughes. The story, published in National Lampoon's magazine, was called "Christmas '59," which by no coincidence is also the hand-scribbled name on the reel of home movies that Chase's character Clark Griswold finds in the attic.

In fact, many scenes and faces in Christmas Vacation seem familiar. Here are a few things that maybe you didn't notice about the 1989 movie.

BEAR DOWN: Clark's favorite team has to be the Chicago Bears. He wears the same black Chicago Bears ball cap in at least one scene during all four Vacation movies.

TRADEMARK GAG: When Clark starts to struggle putting up the holiday lights on the house, he asks his son Rusty for help. Rusy (played by Johnny Galecki) checks "his watch" and excuses himself. His wrist was bare -- one of Chase's famous gags during his career in movies and Saturday Night Live.

SNL BUDDIES: Speaking of Saturday Night Live, Christmas Vacation features four appearances from former cast members, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus (1982-85), Brian Doyle-Murray (1979-80, 1981-82), Randy Quaid (1985-86) and, of course, Chase (1975-76).

IT'S ALL RELATIVE: As Griswolds put up their Christmas tree, It's a Wonderful Life is playing on a nearby TV. The 1946 film was directed by Frank Capra, whose grandson, Frank Capra III, was assistant director on Christmas Vacation. Later in the movie, the holiday classic Here Comes Santa Claus is playing in the background. Randy Quaid ("Cousin Eddy") is the third cousin of Gene Autry, who sings that song.

WHAT'S WITH THE BRITS? Christmas Vacation grossed $71 million (on an estimated $27 million budget) at box offices in the United States, but the movie was never released in theaters in Britain; it went straight to video. …

New Star Wars trailer revealed: Am I the only one disappointed?

So this is the sequel we've been looking for? J.J. Abrams has given us our first look at Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and my first thought is: "Eh, I can nap a little longer."

Now, granted, I wasn't expecting him to give too much away (Dumb and Dumber To). But a part of me kept waiting for Jim Carrey to pop up as Hans Solo only to reveal with was another great Saturday Night Live sketch. (Can't stop watching him lampoon Matthew McConaughey.)

I'm going to give Abram the benefit of any doubt because he rocked the Star Trek reboot. But does us longtime fans one favor, just to help restore the faith: In the next trailer, how about showing us the gravestone of Jar Jar Binks?

Concert review: The English Beat plays hit-filled 18-song set

Here at Stuck in the '80s, we covet concert reviews from our vast network of dedicated correspondents. Today, we get a review of the English Beat from SoCal correspondent Drew Friedman on a recent California tour stop.

The biggest fear I think most of us have when going to see a favorite band from the '80s is that they just won't hold up. I know more than once a beloved band from our era has, when revisited, been a bit of a let down. That is definitely NOT the case with the English Beat, who are touring across the southwest right now.

Led by original member Dave Wakeling, the band rocks for about an hour and a half and cuts across almost all of their hits in an 18-song set. While Wakeling may not be able to hit some of the highest of the high notes (like you remember from I Confess), he is backed by a great band and the fantastic Matt Morrish on sax. The band tours enough that they are incredibly tight, but still have the free spirit of a house band. …

Turns out pneumonia nearly claimed two '80s legends

As we start counting our blessings this Thanksgiving, let's remember our fearless leader Steve Spears. Just as he has risen from the ashes from his bout with pneumonia, we give thanks for his returned health with a similar recovery story from Big Audio Dynamite and today's song Contact.

When Mick Jones left The Clash in 1984 to start the group Big Audio Dynamite (BAD) many lamented the departure of angry guitars to a hip hop-influenced sound. It took until their sixth album in 1991 until Big Audio Dynamite reached the U.S. Top 40 when Rush made it to No. 32 in America and No. 1 in the UK.

In 1989 BAD released the album Megatop Phoenix, which derived its name from Jones' Spearsonian battle with pneumonia and return while recording the album. The album's highest charting single Contact (No. 87 on the UK charts) samples The Who song I Can't Explain, which appears briefly before the three minute mark  A BAD trademark is using audio samples from other songs and movies and just like Contact, their biggest hit Rush featured a Who song as well with Baba O'Riley.