I just finished listening to Duran Duran's body of work last night. It's indeed amazing what lyrics can be preserved perfectly in one's memory over time.
I discovered them in the mid-80s via MTV, when they were taking the US by storm. I introduced them to my mother, who declared their music was nearly "perfect." She wasn't wrong!
I did have to write their names above one of the photos I cut out for her so she could tell them apart. For the record, she liked Nick the best, while I preferred Simon. We wound up naming a cat after him (Simon Le Chat).
They alternated with Rick Springfield for biggest teen crush for many years. I borrowed a line from Robin Williams to explain my obsession with Rick: "He gives good mind, if you catch my drift."
Bummer about the house. As we recently drew out a refinancing of our humble abode, I totally agree with you about how real estate workings are totally...bunged. Definitely reset and regroup before going back into that breach.
I'm really sorry about your house. Real estate is a monster zombie that just keeps getting bigger and refuses to die. Sending all good wishes that you soon find just the right place, and that your son's auditions continue to go wonderfully.
On the flip side -- we speak the same musical language. Here is what you must know:
I. Once. Met. Debbie. Harry.
It helps to know that I was, am, and probably ever shall be, uncool. I did not run into La Debbie at the Pyramid Club or some similar place I was probably too scared to go into. In the early 80’s, I worked on a very silly TV show called Tales from the Darkside. George ‘Night of the Living Dead’ Romero was the producer, which was awesome. Behind the scenes, however, was often not.
We did one stand-along episode every eight days, which included prepping, building the sets, finding the props -- oh, and that was just the first two days. Then we actually had to shoot the darn thing. And then another day or two to break it all down, before starting all over again the next week with a brand new script.
Each episode had a different guest star. To give credit where it’s due, on more than one occasion things were truly, deeply, weirdly inspired. (Divine was in one episode! Stephen King wrote another! Fritz Weaver..)
But I digress.
On this particular week, as I lurched in for the daily infusion of coffee needed to stay awake and upright, there, at craft services, was Debbie Harry. She was gorgeous. She was nice. She had the best Queens accent of all time. And she was very sweet to me, a tongue-tied girl from Tallahassee, Florida, who had worshipped her for years. I can’t find the autograph, but I will not forget that moment.
As the closing credits rolled each week, you'd see this: 'The dark side is always there, waiting for us to enter, waiting to enter us. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.'
I’m 1971 vintage, but did do the top 40 recording at bath time on Sundays, whoever was in the bath had to rely on their sibling to record from the list to the right cassette. Stressful!
I understand the level of feels that listening to that evokes. But you can keep John Taylor, I was rather partial to John Keeble of Spandau instead.
So many shares references it’s actually dizzying. I have a Paul Young story (not great, but I still love No Parlez) and a very exciting (to me) John Taylor story. Stick them on the agenda for next time I see you 😂
It makes me extremely happy that my retreat got you writing 😊😊😊 (I still have a Dansette, but too scared to play any records on it, as it is frankly a blunt instrument.)
I just finished listening to Duran Duran's body of work last night. It's indeed amazing what lyrics can be preserved perfectly in one's memory over time.
I discovered them in the mid-80s via MTV, when they were taking the US by storm. I introduced them to my mother, who declared their music was nearly "perfect." She wasn't wrong!
I did have to write their names above one of the photos I cut out for her so she could tell them apart. For the record, she liked Nick the best, while I preferred Simon. We wound up naming a cat after him (Simon Le Chat).
They alternated with Rick Springfield for biggest teen crush for many years. I borrowed a line from Robin Williams to explain my obsession with Rick: "He gives good mind, if you catch my drift."
Bummer about the house. As we recently drew out a refinancing of our humble abode, I totally agree with you about how real estate workings are totally...bunged. Definitely reset and regroup before going back into that breach.
I used to like Simon Best but John had better hair and I was fickle!
Totally understandable. 😉
I'm really sorry about your house. Real estate is a monster zombie that just keeps getting bigger and refuses to die. Sending all good wishes that you soon find just the right place, and that your son's auditions continue to go wonderfully.
On the flip side -- we speak the same musical language. Here is what you must know:
I. Once. Met. Debbie. Harry.
It helps to know that I was, am, and probably ever shall be, uncool. I did not run into La Debbie at the Pyramid Club or some similar place I was probably too scared to go into. In the early 80’s, I worked on a very silly TV show called Tales from the Darkside. George ‘Night of the Living Dead’ Romero was the producer, which was awesome. Behind the scenes, however, was often not.
We did one stand-along episode every eight days, which included prepping, building the sets, finding the props -- oh, and that was just the first two days. Then we actually had to shoot the darn thing. And then another day or two to break it all down, before starting all over again the next week with a brand new script.
Each episode had a different guest star. To give credit where it’s due, on more than one occasion things were truly, deeply, weirdly inspired. (Divine was in one episode! Stephen King wrote another! Fritz Weaver..)
But I digress.
On this particular week, as I lurched in for the daily infusion of coffee needed to stay awake and upright, there, at craft services, was Debbie Harry. She was gorgeous. She was nice. She had the best Queens accent of all time. And she was very sweet to me, a tongue-tied girl from Tallahassee, Florida, who had worshipped her for years. I can’t find the autograph, but I will not forget that moment.
As the closing credits rolled each week, you'd see this: 'The dark side is always there, waiting for us to enter, waiting to enter us. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.'
This story is amazing and wonderful and I'm so glad you shared it with me. x
Speaking of Human League and Adam and the Ants, it was only a few months ago that I learned Mirror Man was a diss track about Adam Ant.
Which just goes to show that the wonderland of 80s UK pop still has gifts and secrets to offer up.
Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive,
But to be young was very heaven!
Except when it was unremittingly depressing and shit, of course.
no way! That's an excellent thing to learn.
I went to see Human League a few years ago and they were bloody brilliant. I remember grooving about and thinking that young me would be so impressed.
I’m 1971 vintage, but did do the top 40 recording at bath time on Sundays, whoever was in the bath had to rely on their sibling to record from the list to the right cassette. Stressful!
I understand the level of feels that listening to that evokes. But you can keep John Taylor, I was rather partial to John Keeble of Spandau instead.
I was off and on again about Spandau. They'd do in a pinch!
So many shares references it’s actually dizzying. I have a Paul Young story (not great, but I still love No Parlez) and a very exciting (to me) John Taylor story. Stick them on the agenda for next time I see you 😂
I'm holding you to this. I need those stories.
Do you remember Peter Cox? Go West. Did I tell you that story already? 😂
Oooo! No. Add it to the list x
Constance Carroll has unlocked a core memory that I need to hold space for 🤯
ha ha!
It makes me extremely happy that my retreat got you writing 😊😊😊 (I still have a Dansette, but too scared to play any records on it, as it is frankly a blunt instrument.)
I think mine is matchsticks now. I do think about getting one again from time to time.
Thanks for vivid reminders of ‘80s pop, Katy!
Sorry the house fell through, but sounds like you’ve got the right ‘silver lining’ attitude.
And it’s great that you’re hitting your groove with writing.
Thank you. x
It had to be John Taylor...everytime! I was born year after you.
We're a good vintage! x
John Taylor always. I had a Constance Carroll roll on lipgloss and tried for years to emulate the Debbie Harry pout.
The description of Nick Beggs will stay with me forever.
I’m sorry to hear about the house.
Lipgloss is so difficult. I always used to weld my hair to my face with it. When Juicy Tubes came in, I waved a white flag and gave up entirely.