Tampabay.com
JUNE 13, 2008

Feeling fascinated about Philip Oakey?

PhilipoakeyIf there were any justice in the electronica ethereal, Philip Oakey would still be selling millions of records and packing arenas while today's pop misfits and dance-beat impostors were scrounging for matches and bumming Red Bulls off each other in seedy South Beach nightclubs.

Still, I'm betting the eclectic frontman of The Human League wakes up each day with a smile. Oakey remains the only full-time member of the 80s synth-gods since the band's formation back in Sheffield, England, in 1977. And with nine studio albums, eight top 10 singles in the U.K. and record sales of about 20-million, the Human League's vaunted place in music history is secure and deserved.

Next Tuesday, Oakey is the special guest on the Stuck in the 80s podcast, and I'm literally counting down the days and hours. We'll talk about The Human League's headlining status is this summer's Regeneration Tour and you KNOW I'm asking whether his solo hit, "Together in Electric Dreams," will make the set list.

As always, drop me a comment with your suggested questions for Philip Oakey. This is a rare opportunity, and we all should get a say on what we ask him.

5 essential songs by The Human League

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About the blogger

Relive the '80s music, movies and culture with Tampa Bay Times entertainment news editor Steve Spears. A teen during the greatest decade ever, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.

E-mail Steve Spears:
stuckinthe80s@tampabay.com
Visit the Stuck in the 80s Facebook page
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