From the 1984 album, Ocean Rain, it’s Echo & the Bunnymen with “The Killing Moon”.

Awesome rainy day music.

“The Killing Moon” was also featured on the expanded two-disc edition of the Donnie Darko Soundtrack that was released in the UK in 2004. The expanded soundtrack coincided with the release of the film’s director’s cut version of the movie.

One of the most influential bands of the 80s, Echo & the Bunnymen are still totally relevant twenty five years later. 

This particular clip was filmed at A Crystal Day, St. Georges Hall 12th May 1984, four months after the song was released.

Unfortunately the band had to cancel their US Tour last week in order to avoid financial penalties. From Spinner.com:

Due to an IRS rule, foreign bands who tour the US more than once in 30 days have to pay a fee to be able to play. Having done a one-off date at New York’s Mercury Lounge last month, the band have now had to pull the eight-date US tour due to begin in Atlanta on Nov. 15 to avoid the penalty.

Visit Echo & the Bunnymen’s official website or their YouTube channel.

From their self-titled, 1983 breakthrough album, its Suicidal Tendencies with, “Institutionalized”.

Now that’s some rad old school punk! He just wanted a Pepsi..! Haven’t heard this one in ages. An oldie, but definitely a hardcore goodie.

Those of you who were around in the 80s probably remember the After School Specials, right?

Of course you do! Well it just so happens that Helen Hunt was the star of one of those educational, overly dramatic, Regan-era specials meant to teach us kids the rights and wrongs of the world. More like, scare the crap out of us.

Helen plays a girl whose boyfriend pressures her into snorting cocaine (or speed) and the consequences are dire. Diana Scarwid who you might remember played Joan Crawford’s child in Mommy Dearest and most recently Mother Superior on Pushing Daisies, plays the teacher.

This After School Special first aired on my 10th birthday, heh, March 3, 1982. And yes, I remember seeing it.

Bette Davis was Hollywood royalty.

I found this great old clip of her on the David Letterman Show from 1989. She would die later that year. She was a brilliant little thing, barely standing over 5′ tall, with a wonderful sense of humor.

Davis was nominated for ten Academy Awards throughout her career. A record back in 1962. Since then, only 4 other people have broken her record. Meryl Streep (with fifteen nominations and two wins), Katharine Hepburn (twelve nominations and four wins), Jack Nicholson (twelve nominations and three wins) and Laurence Olivier (ten nominations and one win).

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince with “He’s the DJ I’m the Rapper” off the 1988 album of the same name.

Loves me some old school rap!

[Click to listen]

From the day I saw Boy George shimmy onstage on Solid Gold, back in like, 1982, I was hooked.

Growing up in a super small town I had never seen anything or anyone like George in the first 10 years of my life. I couldn’t stop looking at him, studying his clothes, his hair, and of course, the flawless, dramatic makeup. Of course I ran right out and bought Culture Club’s “Kissing to be Clever”, which played over and over on my cassette boom box.

I was inspired to post this today because Boy George actually responded to a tweet of mine and to be honest, I was tickled pink.

I asked him:

@theboygeorge are you and Rosie on talking terms these days?

And he answered:

@spicypants She whispered in my ear ‘friends for life’ ain’t heard from her since!

So Rosie, honey, get on the horn, doll!

Tom Cruise in his breakthrough 1983 film, Risky Business.

Gee, to watch it back now Tommy boy sure looks wet behind the ears!

The one thing I always think of when remembering this film is  how much I hate that damn Bob Seger song, “Old Time Rock & Roll”. I still cringe every time I hear it. And I’m pretty sure I was the only one who didn’t think Rebecca De Mornay was anything special either. Rat face!

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Curtis Armstrong, who plays Cruise’s buddy ‘Miles’ in the film. He went on the play ‘Booger’ in Revenge of the Nerds, remember? He was like the Stifler of the 80s, but not as hot. Ok, he was filthy ugly, but also a total perv like Stif.

Movies ruled for teens in the 80. They were all about sex, drugs AND rock n’ roll!

Ozzy Osbourne and wife Sharon with children Kelly, Jack and Aimee.

If you were alive in the late 70s/early 8os you remember all those commercials for the hair removal product, Nair.

“Whose got short shorts?” The commercial was such a hit that they stuck with it for years, often changing the lyrics to fit the product.

In the late 70s Baby Oil was a huge thing. There was no sunscreen back then kids, it was all about getting as dark as you could, even if you had to slather on cooking oil. Oh, and it made your skin soft as you were frying it.

So naturally Nair came out with Baby Oil Nair.

The fashion in this commercial will also bring back memories! Terry cloth!

A terry cloth running outfit. These were the sexy track suits of the time. Terry cloth was available in any and every color – and running was really cool back then, too. Match the terry shorts outfit with leather Nikes with the red swoosh, or a pair of wooden Candie’s and you were golden!

Oh, and speaking of golden, don’t forget the QT!