Category Archives: 80s
You think you know someone
Driving up to Scone Palace in Perthshire on Saturday morning, myself, Geraldine and Russell were in high spirits. We were off to the Rewind Festival where an array of acts from the 80s were going to strut their somewhat arthritic stuff on a bright and sunny afternoon. To get ourselves into the mood we had the hits of the 80s blaring out the car stereo while we sang along and took in the stunning views as we crossed the Forth Road Bridge heading north. A Spandau Ballet discussion took place … but more of that later!
The headline act was Tony Hadley but others appearing on that day were Rick Astley, Billy Ocean, ABC, Bananarama, T’Pau, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Hazel O’Connor, The Beat, Cutting Crew, The Bluebells, Go West and Hue & Cry, but not necessarily in that order!
For me, the definite highlight of the day was Billy Ocean. Boy, he may be 61 years old now but he is still the smoothest operator around and knows how to get the audience into the palm of his hand within a few seconds.
For Russell, however, it seemed as though his highlight was Bananarama! From the minute the 2 girls stepped onto the stage (yes, I know there used to be 3 of them), Russell was beside himself, jumping up and down (more or less in time with the music) and singing along at the top of his voice and yes, he knew all the words! I’m not sure who was more surprised, me or his wife! Neither of us had absolutely any idea he was clearly a closet fan of their work and the image of his pure enjoyment at their set will stay with me for a very long time. Never again will I see my pinstripe suited friend in the same light I can tell you!
But back to the Spandau Ballet conversation. In the car Russell announced that Tony Hadley would end the night by singing True. I disagreed (obviously) and insisted that the final song would be Gold. A true classic that would have everyone on their feet singing along. Who was correct? You guessed it – it was me! For those that know me well, you will be aware that of course I am always right and it is somewhat stupid to expect ANYONE to know more than me, especially about 80s music – my specialist subject!!!
It’s the ‘Ender of an era!
As a teenager I was madly in love with David Essex. His pictures were plastered all over my bedroom walls, I went to his concerts, I even wore white flares for a while, his signature look! 
He was beautiful – his long, darly curly hair and twinkling eyes sent my hormones into overdrive and I thought I was in love!!! I was actually lucky enough to talk to him in the BBC bar one night after a Top of the Pops appearance – I thought all my Christmases had come at once!!!
Imagine my surprise, therefore, when tuning into an episode of Eastenders recently and hearing that lovely lilting voice of his, turning round to the TV and being confronted by this elderly looking man, somewhat out of shape, white-haired and bald – oh how I could have wept!!! The voice was the same, the sparkly eyes were still there – but where has that sex symbol gone?
Oh, and the goatee beard is a definite no no!!!
I wish he hadn’t taken the part in Eastenders and I could forever remember the long dark curly haired boy he used to be. My dreams of when he would “Hold me Close” and “Make me a star” would remain intact.
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