Hey! Remember the 80's?

Episode 225: Sometimes the tidbits are plentiful. This week, Joe and Kari discuss (deep breath): Cyndi Lauper's new musical, news of a Debbie Gibson memoir, Moonlighting comes to streaming finally, Pat Benatar's daughters new single, and news of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. PLUS, Joe's mini-review of the Squeeze/Psychedelic Furs show. WHEW Main Topic: Suggested...

Episode 224:  Joe and Kari had so much fun dissecting the National Music Survey in episode 214 that....well, they fell down the rabbit hole. One eBay purchase later, they're now the owner of several old 80's countdowns on vinyl. This week's episode takes a look at Countdown America from the week of February 18, 1989. It's the top 30 AC hits based on Radio and Records, hosted by...

Episode 223: This week's episode is a grab bag, odds and ends that Joe and Kari have collected over the past few weeks due to Instagram stories, Apple Music playlists, and suggestions from Loyal Listeners. First up is a gem from Tina Yothers (!), yes she attempted a pop music takeover, but was she successful? Up next are a couple of rap songs from the mid-80's that have ties to Sly Fox....

Episode 222: Please welcome to the podcast, Kari's sister Jennifer! She gets the HRT80s rundown: favorite 80's music, 80's concerts, and our main topic, her favorite 80's Karaoke jams! You'll get info about the acts behind those karaoke classics -- Journey, Rick Astley, Pat Benetar, and...Clarence Carter?? Get to know more about young Kari and Jennifer in this episode of H...

Episode 221: This episode is inspired by another recent Kari find at the record store (she is on a roll!). Have you heard of the Secret Policeman's Ball? It's okay if you haven't because it's a secret! The UK fundraiser for Amnesty International dates back to 1976, but the 1987 event put a focus on music, and featured performances from Kate Bush, Joan Armatrading, Duran Duran,...

Episode 220: First of all, we want to thank listener Giovanni for suggesting some songs to discuss during our episode devoted to Italo Disco! Synthesizer-heavy songs from Gazebo, Milva, and Via Verdi are discussed. The true star of the episode is the song (and video) "Future Brain" by Den Harrow (OR IS IT???) Then, Joe gets quizzed again in this ongoing series, find out if he bests Kari...

Episode 219: Joe and Kari are back from their break in a big way, the two were able to record an episode in the same room, an HRT80s Rarity! Kari starts off Tidbits with a review of the I Want My 80's Tour that is currently snaking around the USA.  Just a Bit Outside: Time to highlight those non-top 40 singles, including a divisive (for multiple reasons) single from Styx. Other singles from R...

Episode 218: Kari and Joe want to dress you up in their love... ew, not like that. Working with a suggestion from amazing listener Dom, we have put together an 80s outfit using the titles of songs. Get out your Wigs, Favourite Shirts and Goody Two Shoes and listen along.  Quiz Time: Kari continues quizzing Joe with some (pretty easy) questions about 80s music to determine who is the Queen of 80s T...

Episode 217: Jitterbug! Hot on the heels of the new Wham! documentary that is streaming on Netflix, Joe and Kari have ranked Wham's 12 singles. Which Wham! songs reached the upper echelon aka The Edge of Heaven? Listen to the latest ep and find out! Jitterbug! Quiz Time: Kari unearthed some 80's questions in a new series that may prove once and for all who is the Queen of 80's Music...

Episode 216: Long guitar solos and long beards, that's what this episode is all about! Of course, ZZ Top starts things off. What Joe wants to know is this -- if you tell someone "Give me all your lovin'" are the hugs and kisses implied? Or should they be specifically requested as well? Other guitar solos discussed include the usual suspects -- hard rockin' acts like White...

Episode 215: First up in Tidbits: Joe and Kari's thoughts on the new Wham! documentary that is streaming on Netflix, so make sure you've watched it before listening (the doc is highly recommended!).  Obscure Soundtrack Songs: If you've never heard of the movie Party Party, it's okay because Joe and Kari had never heard of it until they each located a copy of the soundtrack in d...

Episode 214: Does anyone know of the syndicated countdown special from the late 80's called National Music Survey? It's okay, Joe didn't know about it either until one magical day at the record store when he came across a copy of the countdown from January 20, 1988! This episode is a recap of the countdown -- the top 25 Adult Contemporary songs, ranked by Radio and Records. You&apos...

Episode 213: Happy 4th of July, from Kari and Joe! Enjoy this rundown of songs that peaked at number 74 on the Hot 100 (get it?). Max Werner, The Call, and Heaven 17 are a few of the acts discussed, as well as a singer that had a huge hit down under!  Just A Bit Outside: Songs that didn't hit the Top 40 include songs from superstar Dionne Warwick, and freestyle legend Stevie B. Send us Fan Ma...

Episode 212: This is a very special episode, folks, because Joe and Kari are welcoming a very special guest to the podcast: Chad! Chad is a friend of the podcast and a loyal listener since day one. He was very excited to discuss something very near and dear to his heart as a father and husband: mowing the lawn! Chad's got the perfect playlist for anyone out there who has a difficult task ahea...

Episode 211: Let's take it back, y'all! We are going back to June 13, 1981, and perusing the pages of Billboard magazine. There's an ad for an up-and-coming singer named John Schneider, who was wowing audiences on the show The Dukes of Hazzard. Does this good ol' boy have what it takes to conquer the Hot 100? More ink is spilled for acts like Frankie Beverly and Maze, Tom Petty...

Episode 210: The weather is getting hotter, and that can mean only one thing -- Global Warming! Just kidding -- Joe and Kari rounded up some of the best 80's songs about everyone's favorite season, Summer! Songs from APB, Diesel, James Taylor, and Don Henley are gonna make you SWEAT!  That's What Friends Are For: A look back at 1980 when Elvis Costello needed some assistance with a...

Episode 209: Happy National Jennifer Day! Joe and Kari are here to make sure you celebrate responsibly. The plan was to discuss multiple Jennifer's of the 80's, but the research on singer Jennifer Warnes proved much more fruitful than expected. She is most well known for songs from the soundtracks to An Officer and a Gentleman and Dirty Dancing, but there is so much more! This deep dive...

Episode 208: It's time for a super-sized edition of Just A Bit Outside, the segment that looks at songs that peaked outside the Top 40. From 1980, we've got R&B from the Bar-Kays, Southern (Scottish) Rock from Nazareth, a Country single from Mac Davis, and whatever genre Korona fits into. 1989 brings songs from Regina Belle and Icehouse, who had quite a few underrated songs throughou...

Episode 207: Joe and Kari are always thrilled to get listener suggestions! First, from Matt B., a look at an act that started out in 1982, Everything But the Girl. True, they are probably best known for their hit from the 90's, but their 80's output is definitely worth checking out. Then, listener Alex suggested a few songs from Minor Detail and Polyrock. And finally, Blair's sugges...

Episode 206: First in Tidbits -- surely you've heard the news about the inductees for this year's class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and now Joe and Kari offer their two cents on who got snubbed.  Kari's Record Store Haul: A trip to MadCity Music in Madison, WI proved fruitful for Kari. In this episode, we take a look and some of the finds of the day. Albums from The Pretenders, R...

Episode 205: The Sax is Back! Thanks to The 80's Music Compendium,  Joe and Kari have a new batch of 80's songs to discuss that include long sax solos. Bobby Womack and Patti LaBelle joined forces to climb the R&B chart in 1984, and Dan Fogelberg took some inspiration from a trippy Tom Robbins novel to create a number one hit on the AC chart. You'll also hear about sax solos fro...

Episode 204: First up in Tidbits, a recap of Joe and Kari's trip to Minneapolis to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Transmission! So much great music and dancing!  Then it's time for a new segment: It Peaked on This Day, a look at songs that peaked on April 25th. In 1981, songs by Steely Dan, The Outlaws, and Fantasy reached their peaks on the Hot 100. In 1987, songs from Peter Gabriel,...

Episode 203: Grab some punch and a piece of cake because we are celebrating BIRTHDAYS this week on HRT80s. No, not Joe or Kari's birthdays, but rather the birthdays of some notable musicians, including Iggy Pop, Paul Carrack, Jack Blades of Night Ranger, and The Triplets! Then it's time to discuss a truly bizarre (and awesome) song and video from a band that was founded by the one and on...

Episode 202: Batter up! Baseball season has begun, and notorious sports fans Joe and Kari are talking about those hits of the 80's that are about America's favorite pastime, including songs by John Fogerty and Bruce Springsteen. And UK act The Outfield was seemingly named after a love of the game, but the ref calls foul! Baseball terms! Just a Bit Outside: Songs that peaked outside of th...

Episode 201: Joe and Kari are preparing for a trek to Minneapolis, so it's time to bone up on some acts that originated in the area. Of course, Prince is the most famous of the bunch, and he's been discussed many times on the podcast -- but that doesn't stop your hosts from talking about Prince-adjacent acts like Apollonia and Ta Mara and the Seen. On the rock side, you'll hear...