The '80s Ruled

Featuring the best 80s music videos, TV shows, 80s celebrities and more!

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Relive The Final Scene in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

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Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is an ’80s classic! It starred Steve Martin as Neal Page, an intense marketing executive, and the late John Candy as Del Griffith, a sweet, yet annoying shower curtain ring salesman. The film follows the two of them for three days as Del tries to get back to see his family in time for Thanksgiving. There are so many great scenes in the movie, but the most heart-wrenching and revealing scene was at the end of the movie when Neal realizes that Del is homeless, alone for the holidays, and his wife has been dead for over eight years. Neal invites Del to spend the holiday with his family, and it’s one of the most emotional scenes you’ll ever see in a comedy.

Enjoy this look back at the final scene from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!

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‘Taxi’ – Reverend Jim Takes His Driving Test

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Taxi was one of my favorite sitcoms from the late ’70s and early ’80s. It aired from September 12, 1978 to May 6, 1982. In this hilarious scene, Reverend Jim takes his driving test. To me, this is one of the funniest scenes from any sitcom in history. When Jim starts asking the group “What does a yellow light mean?”, I have no idea how everyone kept a straight face!

Enjoy this look back at a classic scene from Taxi featuring Reverend Jim taking his driving test!

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Cheech and Chong – ‘That’s Soap Man’ Scene from Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie from 1980

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This scene from Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie from 1980 is one of the funniest scenes from the movie. Chong tricks Cheech into sticking his face into a bag of soap, and then he accidentally drinks urine from a glass Chong is taking to his probation officer. For more Cheech and Chong craziness, be sure to check out the Cheech and Chong visit the welfare office scene featuring Police Academy’s Michael Winslow.

Enjoy this classic scene from 1980’s Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie!

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The Plimsouls – ‘A Million Miles Away’ from 1983

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The Plimsouls formed in Paramount, CA back in 1978. Between ’78 and ’84, they recorded two albums and an EP before splitting up in 1984. They’re most remembered though for their song A Million Miles Away because it was featured in the 1983 movie Valley Girl starring Nicolas Cage and Deborah Foreman. Not only was the song featured in the movie, but the band appeared in the movie performing the song and parts of two other songs.

Enjoy this look back at The Plimsouls’ music video for A Million Miles Away from 1983’s Valley Girl!

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‘This Is Spinal Tap’ – “These go to eleven” Scene

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This is Spinal Tap was a 1984 mockumentary film that starred Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer as members of the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap. It was director Rob Reiner’s directorial debut. While the movie only made about $4.7 million at the box office, it amassed a cult following after it was released on VHS.

According to Wikipedia, “In 2002, it was deemed ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant’ by the Library of Congress, and was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry. In 2016, film critic and author Jeremy Arnold chose it as one of the ’52 Must-See Movies’, describing it as “one of the single most influential movies of the past thirty-five years” and arguing that it “effectively launched a new genre—the mockumentary”.

Enjoy this look back at our favorite scene from the movie when Nigel, the lead guitarist explains why Spinal Tap’s amp goes all the way to eleven.

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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – Cameron Prank Calls Mr. Rooney

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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of our all time favorite movies from the ’80s, and in this famous scene, Cameron prank calls Mr. Rooney. He impersonates Ferris’ girlfriend’s dad, George Peterson in order to get Sloan out of school early to attend her grandmother’s funeral. Rooney thinks it’s Ferris on the phone until Ferris calls on the other line.

Enjoy this look back at one of the many classic scenes from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!

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’80s Midnight Metal Videos from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Motorhead, Megadeth, and W.A.S.P.

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One of our favorite shows to watch back in the late ’80s was MTV’s Headbangers Ball. Headbangers Ball debuted on April 18, 1987 and ran until 1995. The show featured music videos from both well-known and obscure heavy metal bands, and offered a stark contrast to all the top 40 pop music videos shown throughout the day on MTV.

To honor Headbangers Ball, we’re going to start featuring ’80s metal videos every Saturday. In this first edition, we’ve got music videos from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Motorhead, Megadeth, and W.A.S.P. If you’re a fan of ’80s heavy metal, we think you’re gonna love this new feature.

Enjoy this edition of ’80s Midnight Metal Videos from some of the most iconic metal bands of the ’80s:

  • Iron Maiden – Flight of Icarus from 1983
  • Judas Priest – Heading Out to the Highway from 1981
  • Dio – Rock n’ Roll Children from 1985
  • Motorhead – Iron Fist from 1982
  • Megadeth – In My Darkest Hour from 1988
  • W.A.S.P. – Wild Child from 1986
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Burt Reynolds on Late Night with David Letterman in 1984

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On December 11, 1984, the late Burt Reynolds appeared on Late Night with David Letterman and shared stories about Hollywood, New York City, and his new movie City Heat with Clint Eastwood. In typical Burt Reynolds fashion, he was calm, cool, and hilarious all at the same time. His self-deprecating humor was so refreshing to see from someone who was on top of the world.

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Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams, Jr. Singing ‘Mind Your Own Business’ and ‘The Conversation’ on ‘Nashville Now’ in 1988

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On a November 1988 episode of Nashville Now, two of the greatest country music singers of all time gave us one of the coolest spur-of-the-moment performances you’ll ever see. Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams, Jr. were guests on the show, and host Ralph Emery asked them if they’d like to sing a few of their favorite songs. Hank started out singing Mind Your Own Business, and then he and Waylon sang a song they wrote together about Hank, Jr.’s dad Hank Williams called The Conversation. It’s an awesome song, and this performance is priceless.

Enjoy this look back at two country music legends performing The Conversation on Nashville Now!

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‘The Natural’ – The Home Run Scene

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The Natural was a 1984 movie starring Robert Redford, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, and Robert Duvall. The film followed the baseball career of Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford), a “natural”. Our favorite scene in the movie, and one of the greatest scenes in any sports movie, is this one where Roy hits his famous home run that shatters the lights in the park. This scene takes me back to the movie theater in 1984 when I literally was on the edge of my seat watching this scene. It still gives me chills to this day.

Enjoy this look back at one of the greatest sports scenes in movie history starring Robert Redford as The Natural!

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Cheech and Chong Visit the Welfare Office

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Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie was released in 1980 as the follow up to their 1978 movie Up in Smoke. One of the best scenes in the movie is this one where Cheech and Chong visit the welfare office after Cheech was fired from his job. While Cheech and his welfare officer Donna, who happens to be his girlfriend, start making out in her office, Chong sits down next to Michael Winslow from Police Academy fame who can make almost any sound with his mouth, and it is hilarious!

Enjoy the welfare office scene from Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie from 1980!

P.S. Click here to check out another hilarious scene from Cheech and Chong where Chong tricks Cheech into sticking his face into a bag of soap, and then he accidentally drinks urine from a glass Chong is taking to his probation officer.

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Robin Williams Had Johnny Carson Rolling With Laughter on the Tonight Show in 1984

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The late Robin Williams appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson a number of times. His first time was in 1981, and in this appearance in 1984, he was completely out of control and hilarious. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Johnny laugh as much at a guest as he did when Robin Williams was on the show.

Enjoy this look back at Robin Williams on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on April 3, 1984!

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Mary Lou Retton’s 1984 Gold Medal Winning Vault

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In the 1984 Olympics, Mary Lou Retton of the USA was trailing Ecaterina Szabo of Romania by .15 points for the all-around gold medal with only the floor exercise and the vault left. Retton went on to score a perfect 10 on her floor exercise, and then in dramatic fashion, she scored a perfect 10 on not one, but both of her vaults to beat Szabo by .05 points to become the first American to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics.

Retton also won four additional medals at the ’84 Olympics winning silver in the team competition and the horse vault, and bronze in the floor exercise and uneven bars.

Enjoy this look back at one of the greatest moments in USA Olympic history when Mary Lou Retton won gold on the vaults at the 1984 Olympics!

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Richard Pryor Discussing Hollywood Icons, Comedy Heroes, and Eddie Murphy on The Dick Cavett Show from 1985

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Photo via The Dick Cavett Show channel on YouTube

I could watch and listen to Richard Pryor all day long. Recently, we featured a video of Pryor on with Johnny Carson, and you all loved it, so we went on a search to find another interview featuring Richard Pryor that you might not have seen before.

In this video, Pryor sat down with three-time Emmy award winner Dick Cavett on The Dick Cavett Show back in 1985 and discussed Hollywood icons, Pryor’s comedy heroes, and he talked about his brief encounter with Eddie Murphy. As always, Pryor was gracious, humble, and hilarious all in one. Enjoy this flashback to 1985 with Richard Pryor on The Dick Cavett Show!

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Yes – ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’ Music Video from 1983

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Rock n’ Roll legends Yes released their self-titled debut album way back in 1969. Since then, they’ve released 21 studio albums, 14 live albums, and 28 singles. Three of those singles were number one hits on the Mainstream Rock charts, and their biggest hit, Owner of a Lonely Heart, not only topped the rock charts, but also the Hot 100 charts in 1983. It’s their signature song, and one of the biggest hits of the entire decade of the ’80s.

Owner of a Lonely Heart was the first single released from their 1983 album 90125, which produced four top six rock hits. In addition to Owner of a Lonely Heart, the other hits were Changes, Leave It, and It Can Happen.

Enjoy this look back at the music video for Owner of a Lonely Heart as well as videos for the three other rock hits from the album!

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Huey Lewis and the News – ‘Heart and Soul’ from 1983

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Heart and Soul was the first single released from Huey Lewis and the News’ 1983 Sports album. It was the first of four top ten hits in a row on the Hot 100 charts for the band, and it was their first number one hit on the Mainstream Rock charts. The other three top ten hits from the album were I Want A New Drug, The Heart of Rock n’ Roll, and If This Is It.

Enjoy this look back at Huey Lewis and the News and their music video for their first number one song Heart and Soul!

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Kiss Sets the Record Straight with Interviewer Who Thinks They’re Devil Worshipers

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In the early ’80s, religious fanatics claimed bands like Kiss were devil worshipers and wanted labels put on their records. In this interview from 1982, an interviewer does his best to bait Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley from Kiss into admitting they’re devil worshipers, but Gene and Paul answer every one of his questions in a calm and insightful manner. No matter what he throws their way, they’ve got an answer. The funniest part of this interview is seeing Gene and Paul in full makeup and costumes sitting on a couch talking to this guy in his tie and sweater. Enjoy!

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Eddie Murphy on the Arsenio Hall Show with a Special Appearance from Michael Jackson

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In 1989, Eddie Murphy was on the Arsenio Hall Show talking about his new movie Harlem Nights. Eddie not only starred in the movie, but he also directed it. The interview is like two old friends joking around with each other, and around the 15 minute mark in the video, Michael Jackson makes a surprise appearance to give Eddie an award. The real surprise though was when Eddie turned around and then gave Michael an award as well!

Enjoy this Arsenio Hall Show flashback from 1989!

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More ’80s TV Shows – 39 TV Stars Then and Now

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Photo via Stars Lifestyles on YouTube

YouTube’s Stars Lifestyles channel put together another awesome THEN AND NOW video featuring 39 TV stars from some of our favorite ’80s TV shows. Enjoy this look at 39 actors from ’80s TV shows then and now!

Miami Vice :

  • Don Johnson
  • Philip Michael Thomas
  • Edward James Olmos
  • Saundra Santiago
  • Olivia Brown
  • Michael Talbott

21 Jump Street :

  • Johnny Depp
  • Peter DeLuise
  • Holly Robinson Peete
  • Dustin Nguyen
  • Richard Grieco
  • Steven Williams

Dallas :

  • Patrick Duffy
  • Victoria Principal
  • Linda Gray
  • Charlene Tilton
  • Ken Kercheval
  • Priscilla Presley
  • Steve Kanaly

Taxi :

  • Danny DeVito
  • Christopher Lloyd
  • Marilu Henner
  • Judd Hirsch
  • Tony Danza

Family Ties :

  • Michael J. Fox
  • Meredith Baxter
  • Michael Gross
  • Justine Bateman
  • Tina Yothers
  • Brian Bonsall

Cheers :

  • Ted Danson
  • Rhea Perlman
  • Kelsey Grammer
  • George Wendt
  • Kirstie Alley
  • Woody Harrelson
  • John Ratzenberger
  • Shelley Long

MacGyver :

  • Richard Dean Anderson

If you missed the first then and now video featuring 35 TV Stars form ’80s TV shows we featured yesterday, you can check it out here!

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’80s TV Shows – 35 TV Stars Then and Now

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Photo via Stars Lifestyles on YouTube

YouTube’s Stars Lifestyles channel put together this awesome THEN AND NOW video featuring 35 TV stars from some of our favorite ’80s TV shows. Father time can be cruel sometimes, but for the most part, he’s taken good care of our ’80s TV stars! Enjoy this then and now look at 35 famous stars from ’80s TV shows!

35 Famous ’80s TV Stars:

The A-Team :

  • Dwight Schultz
  • Mr. T
  • Dirk Benedict

The Fall Guy :

  • Lee Majors
  • Douglas Barr
  • Heather Thomas
  • Markie Post

Hart to Hart :

  • Robert Wagner
  • Stefanie Powers

Magnum, P.I. :

  • Tom Selleck
  • Roger E. Mosley
  • Larry Manetti

The Dukes of Hazzard :

  • John Schneider
  • Tom Wopat
  • Catherine Bach

Moonlighting :

  • Bruce Willis
  • Cybill Shepherd
  • Allyce Beasley

Growing Pains :

  • Joanna Kerns
  • Kirk Cameron
  • Tracey Gold
  • Jeremy Miller

Perfect Strangers :

  • Bronson Pinchot
  • Mark Linn-Baker

Who’s the Boss? :

  • Tony Danza
  • Judith Light
  • Alyssa Milano
  • Danny Pintauro
  • Katherine Helmond

The Love Boat :

  • Gavin MacLeod
  • Bernie Kopell
  • Ted Lange
  • Fred Grandy
  • Lauren Tewes
  • Jill Whelan
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Ritchie Valens Auditions for the Silhouettes in the movie ‘La Bamba’

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1987’s La Bamba starred Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens and it followed the life and career of Chicano rock n’ roll star Ritchie Valens, who died tragically in 1959 at the age of 17 in a plane crash in Iowa. In addition to Valens, the crash took the lives of Buddy Holly, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and the pilot Roger Peterson. Valens was on the plane because he won a coin toss with Buddy Holly’s backup guitarist Tommy Allsup, and Richardson was on the plane because Holly’s bassist, Waylon Jennings, gave up his seat to Richardson who had the flu.

If you haven’t watched the movie, we highly recommend checking it out. It’s a great movie, and one of our favorite scenes is this one where Valens auditions for the Silhouettes, and as they say, the rest was history! Enjoy!

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The Traveling Wilburys – ‘Handle With Care’ Music Video from 1988

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In April 1988, the Traveling Wilburys were formed. The supergroup consisted of some of the greatest singer/songwriter/musicians of all time. The Wilburys were George Harrison from The Beatles, Jeff Lynne from ELO, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison.

The five members initially united to record a bonus track for George Harrison’s next European single. However, Handle With Care was considered way too good of a song for such a limited release, so the group agreed to record a full album titled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. The album was released on October 17, 1988 and was a hit worldwide.

Unbelievably, the album’s three singles, Handle With Care, End of the Line, and Heading for the Light didn’t even chart in the top 40 on the Hot 100 charts, but they were all three top ten hits on the Mainstream Rock charts. Handle With Care peaked at number two on the Mainstream Rock charts in 1988 as well as number 30 on the AC charts.

The music video for Handle With Care was the last music video to feature Roy Orbison before he passed away of a heart attack on December 6, 1988.

Enjoy this look back at five musical legends coming together as the Traveling Wilburys and their music video for Handle With Care!

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Kiss – ‘I Love It Loud’ Music Video from 1982

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In 1982, Kiss released their 10th studio album called Creatures of the Night. This was their last album with Ace Frehley credited as an official member of the band, and the first album with Vinny Vincent as the initially-uncredited lead guitarist (he was credited as the lead guitarist in an ’85 reissue of the album). It was also their last album with their trademark makeup and costumes until 1998 when they released Psycho Circus.

They released three singles from Creatures of the Night, and this song, I Love It Loud was their first song to chart on the Mainstream Rock charts when it peaked at number 22 in 1982.

Enjoy this look back at the official music video for I Love It Loud as well as a live version from Brazil’s Maracana Stadium in 1983!

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Jefferson Starship – ‘Find Your Way Back’ Music Video from 1981

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In 1981, Jefferson Starship released their sixth studio album called Modern Times. The album featured the return of Grace Slick to the band after a three year absence. Slick provided background vocals on a few songs as well as lead vocals on the single Stranger, a duet with lead singer Mickey Thomas.

Four singles were released from the album, but only one made it into the top 40 on the Hot 100 charts. Find Your Way Back peaked at number 29 on the Hot 100 charts, but was a top five hit on the Mainstream Rock charts when it peaked at number three in 1981. The aforementioned Stranger was also a minor hit on the Rock charts peaking at number 17.

Enjoy this look at the music video for Find Your Way Back as well as the video for Stranger!

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Jim Carrey’s First Appearance on Late Night with David Letterman in 1984

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Jim Carrey made his first appearance on Late Night with David Letterman on July 25, 1984. At the time, Carrey was still finding his way as a comedian. His act consisted mostly of very impressive impressions of celebrities like Sammie Davis, Jr., James Dean, Clint Eastwood, and even E.T.

Enjoy this look back at Jim Carrey’s first appearance on Late Night with David Letterman back in 1984!

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Steven Wright Makes His First Appearance on National TV on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1982

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Photo via the Johnny Carson channel on YouTube

Steven Wright is one of the most creative comedians of the last 40 years, and on August 6, 1982, he made his first appearance on national TV on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The coolest part of this video is at the very end when Johnny and Steven are talking and he says we’ll be right back and you see Johnny give a little fist jab at the end. You could tell he genuinely enjoyed having him on the show and was proud of him. Johnny was always a class act!

Enjoy this look back at comedian Steven Wright’s very first appearance on national TV on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson!

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Heart – ‘Nothin’ At All’ Music Video from 1986

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In 1985, Heart released their eighth studio album called Heart. The album was a huge hit and featured their first number one song on the Hot 100 charts when These Dreams hit number one is ’86. The album also featured top ten hits What About Love (#10), Never (#4), and this song, Nothin’ At All, which peaked at number 10 in ’86 as well as number six on the Rock charts.

Enjoy this look back at Heart’s music video for Nothin’ At All as well as a look back at their music videos for the albums other singles What About Love, Never, These Dreams, and If Looks Could Kill!

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John Cougar – ‘Ain’t Even Done With the Night’ from 1981

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Before John Cougar became a household name after scoring a number two hit with Hurts So Good, and a number one hit for Jack & Diane in 1982, he released one of our all time favorite songs not just from Cougar, but from anyone. Ain’t Even Done with the Night was the second single released from Cougar’s 1980 album Nothin’ Matters and What If It Did, and it was his first top 20 hit on the Hot 100 charts when it peaked at number 17 in 1981.

Enjoy this look back at John Cougar performing Ain’t Even Done with the Night live on TV back in the day!

Just for fun, we’ve also got his videos for Hurts So Good and Jack & Diane as well!

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Miami Vice – Then and Now

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Miami Vice ran for five seasons on NBC from September 16, 1984 to January 25, 1990. It starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as Crockett and Tubbs, two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. Enjoy this look back at the cast of Miami Vice then and now!

Miami Vice Cast:

Don Johnson – Detective James Crockett
Philip Michael Thomas – Detective Ricardo Tubbs
Saundra Santiago – Detective Gina Calabrese
Olivia Brown – Detective Trudy Joplin
Michael Talbott – Detective Stan Switek
Edward James Olmos – Lieutenant Martin Castillo
John Diehl – Det. Larry Zito
Martin Ferrero – Izzy Moreno
Julio Oscar Mechoso – Lester Kosko
Belinda Montgomery – Caroline Crockett
Sheena Easton – Caitlin Davies
Marc Macaulay – Brookings
Pam Grier – Valerie Gordon
Julia Roberts – Polly Wheeler
Gregory Sierra – Lt. Lou Rodriguez
Helena Bonham Carter – Dr. Theresa Lyons
Bruce Willis – Tony Amato
Ned Eisenberg – Frederico Librizzi
Antoni Corone – George Sordoni
Dennis Farina – Albert Lombard
Stanley Tucci – Frank Mosca
Giancarlo Esposito – Adonis Jackson
John Leguizamo – Orlando Calderone
Pepe Serna – Oswaldo Guzman
Brent Jennings – Jiveman
Coati Mundi – Conejo
Annie Golden – Tommy

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ZZ Top’s Greatest Hits of the ’80s

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We were saddened to hear the news today that ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill passed away today in his sleep at his home in Houston, TX at the age of 72. ZZ Top were one of our favorite bands from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. In Hill’s honor, here’s a look at some of our favorite music videos from ZZ Top in the ’80s as well as one of the greatest rock songs of all time from 1975!

  • Gimme All Your Lovin’ from 1983
  • Sharp Dressed Man from 1983
  • Legs from 1984
  • Sleeping Bag from 1985
  • Stages from 1985
  • Rough Boy from 1986
  • And, one of the greatest rock songs from the last 40 years, Tush sung by Dusty Hill from 1975…
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