Hey! Remember the 80's?

Episode 150! Can you believe it?? Joe and Kari have decided to spend this momentous occasion (or maybe it was a coincidence) to take a deep dive into the careers of "artistes" Devo and Rickie Lee Jones. Kari chose to investigate the art-rockers Devo and how they got started. Joe is obsessed with Rickie Lee Jones. These two acts definitely march to the beat of their own drum.  Coming Arou...

Episode 149: Got a minute? Joe and Kari are bringing you more epic guitar solos that last around 60 seconds, including classics from artists you would expect (Santana, Guns 'N' Roses, Led Zeppelin), as well as some deeper hits from acts like Vandenberg, J. Blackfoot, and Bad Company. Who's Holding Phil Now? It's the same old story from Mr. Collins -- he tells record execs &quot...

Episode 148: Hope you love the segment "Just a Bit Outside" as much as Joe and Kari do, because that's the sole focus of this episode -- but with a twist!! Since Joe complained so much about focusing on the deeper hits from the year 1980, Kari decided to zoom on up to 1989! So get ready for songs from 1989's brightest stars: Neneh Cherry, Dino...and Loverboy?! Send us Fan Mail

Episode 147 is here! Joe and Kari take a look at the Billboard issue from February 22, 1986, with a highlight on R&B News and Charts. Did you know how many times James Brown hit the Hot 100?? Billboard's resident chart watcher (and Psychic Friend) Paul Grein knew! James Brown was on the charts with a song from Rocky IV. Jermaine Jackson, Bernard Wright and Dana Dane were making waves on t...

Episode 146: The 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees have been announced, and this year's crop includes some MTV-era stars as well as a certain Country & Western Icon.  Don't forget to vote daily for your faves!!  R&B Superstars: Kari's reference book come in handy once again this week. Time for a closer look at some of the acts that were dominating the R&B Chart in...

Episode 145: The Janet Jackson documentary dropped, and Joe and Kari have some opinions!  It's hard to distill the impact of Janet's music and legacy into four hours (with commercials), but overall, viewers were treated to some behind-the-scenes footage that allowed a glimpse into the music. Was it enough? What better time to look at the 80's music output of some of the other Jackso...

Episode 144: Ready for another episode of Hey, Remember the 80's? Joe and Kari take a look at the R&B Chart to highlight some of the artists that dominated that chart throughout the 80's. Atlantic Starr, George Benson, and Cameo are some of the powerhouse acts that put over 20 songs on the R&B Chart.  Top of the Pops: A quick look at two songs that topped the UK Singles Chart. On...

Episode 143: Longest Sax Solos of the 80's, Part Two! The saxophone solo is a staple of your favorite 80's hits, time to check in on some doozies: Wang Chung and Go West are two synth-based acts, but they weren't afraid to dust of the sax when needed! The Stray Cats and The Rolling Stones show up as well.  Quiz Time: Kari recently took part of a trivia contest, time to see how Joe w...

Episode 142: That's What Friends Are For…Joe and Kari keep smilin', keep shinin' as they highlight the 80's tunes which feature famous musicians in the studio that are paying a favor to their friends. A former Eagle recruits Kim Carnes for backup, while Dave Mason does one better and gets the biggest star of the 80's to sing backup for him.  Coming Around Again: A couple o...

Episode 141: Everybody's gotta start somewhere, and in this episode of HRT80's, Joe and Kari are taking a look at some of the earlier songs from legendary songwriter Diane Warren. She has written some of the biggest hits of all-time, like "How Do I Live," "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," but in the 80's, she wr...

Episode 140: Joe and Kari took a little break for the holidays, but they are BACK, and to coincide with the first episode of the New Year, they are taking a look at the first time some of your faves hit the Hot 100: Survivor, Don Henley, and the solo debuts of a couple members of the Go-Go's are the first up. You'll also hear about the debut of Jermaine Stewart and cuties Roman Holliday....

Episode 139: Santa brought everyone a SUPER-SIZED episode this week, as well as an appearance from friend of the podcast Michael! This week's topic: Grand Theft Auto (it's a video game, and don't worry if you've never played it, Joe hasn't either). The MUSIC in Grand Theft Auto is Amazingggg, lots of big hits and obscure 80’s songs. Joe, Kari, and Michael give you the rund...

Episode 138: Another look at some of the songs that were topping Billboard's *other* charts: Dance, R&B, Rock. First, dueling Steely Dan/Michael Jackson mash-ups, did they get paid for this? Siedah Garrett was topping the dance chart as well. She was hot off of her number one with MJ, was this song the right move for her? Also, Bobby Brown made solo music before "Don't Be Cruel&...

Episode 137: A momentous occasion for sure; Kari re-evaluates her stance on the music of Dire Straits! Joe and Kari reveal the longest organ solos of the 80's: J. Geils Band, Axe, and Crowded House make the list, and you will also learn exactly what a "brewer's droop" is, for better or worse. Who's Holding Phil Now: Time to check in on Phil Collins, who probably spent more...

One big tidbit kicks off the episode: a summary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and tributes to Carole King, Tina Turner, the Go-Go's, and LL Cool J.  Then it's Time to go Back in Time, to November 30th, 1985 to be exact. Ads and articles in that edition of Billboard Magazine highlight artists like Arcadia, Kurtis Blow, Grace Jones, and Jack Wagner, who did NOT wear...

Episode 135: The 80’s had no shortage of amazing female vocalists, and in this episode, Joe and Kari will be ranking the hits of three talented women: Linda Ronstadt, Barbra Streisand, and … Juice Newton? Yes, chart-wise, these three had about the same amount of hits!! It’s no secret that Joe loves Juice Newton, but will she nab the top spot?  That’s What Friends Are For — it should come as a surp...

Episode 134 is here! First things first, why did the last episode end with Paula Abdul's "Vibeology"?  Next, a deep dive into two 80's acts that have been on tour recently -- The Psychedelic Furs and The Fixx. Kari saw The Psychedelic Furs in Milwaukee, so she tackles their history and some notable songs. Joe has tickets for The Fixx in STL, so he's got the rundown on thei...

Episode 133: The time has finally arrived for Joe and Kari to reveal all about 80's in the Sand, the five day 80's music festival in Cancun. They discuss the highs, the lows, and everything in between! Billy Idol was the headliner (and put on a great show), but everyone from The Little River Band to The Smithereens gave it their all! Find out which acts put on fantastic poolside sets, an...

Episode 132: Joe and Kari will discuss their recent Cancun adventures very soon in an upcoming 80's in the Sands episode, but for now, please enjoy this episode covering an event that has been talked about in passing in previous episodes. The Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute was a massive undertaking that occurred at Wembley Stadium in 1988. Diverse acts like Sting, Joan Armatrading, and...

Episode 131: 80's in the Sand is approaching, an 80's music festival in Cancun, and as part of the preparation, Joe and Kari are taking a closer look at some of the musicians that will be appearing. Little River Band seems like a 70's act to Kari, but they've got a lot more 80's hits than she remembers! Howard Jones is a bit of a question mark, in terms of Will He Really B...

Episode 130: A quick music video roundup by Joe is first in Tidbits, then it's time for Obscure Soundtrack Songs. Who remembers the soundtracks for DC Cab, Mannequin, and Secret of My Success? The movies were popular on cable and at your local video rental store, but do the songs from the soundtracks hold up? Even Belinda Carlisle forgot about one of these songs, and she sang it! Just a Bit O...

Episode 129: First up, in Tidbits, a review of the Tina Turner DVD, a live concert from a 1990 show in Barcelona, and then it's time for TV Tidbits (Max Headroom and Ted Lasso).  ROCKTOBER is upon us!! Joe and Kari take a look at the career of Ronnie James Dio, and his work with Black Sabbath and his transition to forming the influential group Dio.  Also, VH1 put together a list of the Greate...

Episode 128: If you've listened to a "Ranking the Hits" episode, you know how it works. Joe and Kari rank the Top 40 singles of a particular artist and then share the results. This time, we are ranking the LOWEST charting hits for some 80's superstars -- Madonna, Hall and Oates, Lionel Ritchie, they're all here! Did these "hits" deserve a higher chart placement? ...

Episode 127: A Rick Astley update and Kari's dispatch from the Psychedelic Furs show kick off Tidbits, then Joe and Kari go Back in Time to September 16, 1989, and a look into the week's issue of Billboard Magazine. The record label behind Soulsister (who?) shelled out some big bucks for a full page ad to create buzz. Did it work? Also featured in the pages: IRS Records, Melissa Etheridg...

Episode 126: First in Tidbits: ABBA is back!! But how are the new singles? Joe and Kari give their early opinions. In Just a Bit Outside: in honor of Charlie's new program on Charlie's 80's Attic, 80's Deep Dive , Joe and Kari take a listen to some of the songs that charted on the Hot 100 but did not make it to the Top 40. A few familiar names pop up, but some of these artists...