Ready to rediscover an '80s classic?

AUGUST 12, 2008

You have to be either a hardcore '80s fan or an experimental music performance junkie to have instantly recognized this video: "O Superman" by the brilliant Laurie Anderson.

The song was Anderson's breakthrough hit in the UK back in 1981, rising to No. 2 on the charts. Later in the decade, she starred in and directed the movie "Home of the Brave" and composed the music two Spalding Gray flicks -- "Swimming to Cambodia" and "Monster in a Box."

Still, to pigeonhole her as a '80s act is a bad move. Anderson has been winning acclaim for her performance work since the early '70s. Earlier this year, she added a footnote to her personal life -- marrying longtime partner Lou Reed.

But here's the best news: Laurie Anderson is embarking on a U.S. tour (official website). The 14-gig journey begins Sept. 12 in Kansas and includes a Sept. 16 date in Gainesville, Fla. Just enough time to start boning up on the lyrics to my favorite Anderson tune -- "Language is a Virus."

(Click here to find a tour date near you.)

Posted by Steve Spears at 10:15:10 am on August 12, 2008 in

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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.

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