Word Count: 1625
Original Post Date: July 18, 2018
Introduction
“Creciendo el estilo de los años 80” or “Growing up 80’s style” – a time in my life that I wouldn’t change for anything in the world. As I sit here listening to Sirius-XM’s 80’s channel, the song “Boys of Summer” by Don Henley takes me back to a time where things were simpler. The 80’s decade may have started out with a whisper, but it definitely ended with a bang. This era gave birth to a lot of innovative and fun stuff; some didn’t survive, while some still have an impact on our lives today. I’m Sunny Larue also known as the professional martini drinking blogger, as a blogger who is all about self-discovery, love and loss today join me as we revisit a cherished childhood memory of happiness and fun. Let’s travel back in time to a decade that not only brought us classic music but also created a unique and unforgettable style of life. Fasten your seat belts, and let’s take a trip down memory lane to a world of the 1980’s
Turning It “On” The Beginning Of Streaming
Do you remember the time when the first cable service in our household was On TV? The big brown box that sat on top of the television, and all you had to do was turn on the box and switch to channel 3, and voila! Whatever was playing, that’s what you watched. Those were the days of uncomplicated entertainment where you didn’t have to go through Netflix’s never-ending options, and you could keep it simple with great programming. I can remember my brother doing a MacGyver-like rigging, connecting the TV, cable box, and stereo together to create the ultimate home theater. We watched classic shows such as Dynasty, Knots Landing, Dallas, and TV movies from the early 70’s like Earthquake and Towering Inferno. But that was just the beginning. We have come a long way from the beginning of cable TV such as On TV. The subscription-based television service operated in eight markets, including the Los Angeles area, from the late ’70s to the mid-’80s. On TV reached its peak in 1982, boasting over 700,000 subscribers, mostly in the Los Angeles area, during that time. On TV created the on-demand entertainment landscape that we see today, with the likes of Disney+, HBO Max, and numerous other subscription based services. However, as with many innovative ventures, On TV faced tremendous challenges. The economic recession of the ’80s caused the subscription based service to fail, leading the company to close its doors in June of 1985. On TV charged between $40-$50 ($158 in today’s money) for installation and a monthly service fee between $19.50- $22.50 ($70.00 in today’s money), depending on the market. These prices may seem high by today’s standards, but in the ’80s, it was a small price to pay for endless entertainment. Today, streaming services offer no installation fee and competitive pricing with more choices than ever before. Still, it all started with On TV, and without them, we may not have the multitude of entertainment options available to us today. What was in your home during the 1980’s?
Blasting Off The Birth Of Music Television
Let’s go back to the year 1981 specially August 1, the summer was in full swing and everything was leading up to this new medium hitting the airways. This new medium would change how we listen and watch music. August 1, 1982 midnight music videos were introduced by the network “MTV”! I at the time turned 10 years old that spring and this was definitely the biggest thing to ever happen in my lifetime up until that point. Yes there’s pac-man but this was a game changer. That night I had some friends over for a sleepover (very popular) armed with popcorn, chips, coke-cola. We eagerly waited for that moment as the announcer spoke a language we couldn’t grasp, because at 10 years of age staying up past 9pm was a feat let alone midnight but there it was the moon, the moonman and the space shuttle blasting off leading into the video – “Video Killed The Radio Star” by the Buggles, the first music video followed by Pat Benatar’s “You Better Run” . It’s a moment in time I will never forget.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller: How It Changed Music Videos Forever
Music videos have become an integral part of the music industry, but it wasn’t always like that. Prior to the release of Michael Jackson’sThriller, music videos were seen as nothing more than promotional tools for songs. Thriller’s release in 1983, however, marked the beginning of a new era for music videos. It was not just a music video but a cinematic masterpiece that revolutionized the game. Thriller, impact on the music industry, and pop culture as a whole. MJ understood the full potential of music videos and used them as an art form to tell stories. His vision and creativity raised the bar for music videos and sparked a new era in the music industry. As the first music video ever made by a black artist to premiere on MTV, Thriller was a groundbreaking moment for black artists. It broke cultural barriers and opened doors for future black artists in the industry. The music video showcased not only Michael Jackson’s remarkable talent as a performer but also his vision as an artist. MJ’s music video for Beat It also deserves a special mention for portraying the heart of South Central, Watts, and Compton, areas that were, at the time, hotspots for gang violence, drugs, and various criminal activities. Michael Jackson invited the local gangs from blue and red to participate in filming the video, and surprisingly, they respected MJ and what he was doing, which helped break down cultural barriers and create unity among different people. The release of Thriller was a momentous event that caused massive anticipation and hype. It was even previewed in movie theaters before its official release. When it finally aired, the video lived up to its expectations, with its perfect combination of makeup, costumes, dance moves, and music that blew everyone away. MJ went on to win big at the MTV Video Awards, cementing his place in music history and pop culture forever.
22 Episode TV Series Dying Breed
Television and music were everything to a kid growing up in the 80s, but my memories of childhood go beyond just MTV and video games. As a kid, I had a strict 2-hour TV time, which included MTV, so I often had to choose between my favorite cartoons and music videos etc. But, MTV was my drug, and I couldn’t get enough of it, so I got clever and started recording my cartoons. However, my mother was big on shows like Dynasty, Knots Landing, and Dallas, and if your MTV show aired during Dallas, you had to forget about it. I vividly remember my mother saying, “Sorry baby girl, but Dallas is coming on, don’t you want to know who shot JR?” While my heart still wanted to see the latest Def Leppard video. Today streaming services a typical series can be from anywhere to 3 to 9 episodes with long break times between seasons so much has changed from the 22 episodes we use to get back in the day.
CONCLUSION
Despite my love for music and television, I managed to maintain a social life outside of the TV. I would play stick ball or football with my neighborhood friends, ride my bike to the park, take piano and accordion lessons, hang out at the arcade, and fall in love for the first time. Being a Pasadena native, I will never forget the annual Rose Parade, where the city comes alive and people from all over the world come to celebrate. The parade route is 5 miles long, and walking from the beginning to the end, I met people from different countries, such as Australia, who invited me to a student exchange program, and a hockey player from Canada. One of my fondest memories was during the 1984 Summer Olympics when I was just 13. I remember taking the bus to Venice Beach and watching professional wrestlers like Mr. T, Hulk Hogan, Jake the Snake, and Roddy Rod flex their muscles, lifting weights, and talking smack. On my way back home, packed in a bus with tourists and athletes, I met a young guy from Africa who spoke about his travels through Europe, especially Paris, during Christmastime. His stories exposed me to a world not known to me, and my life changed from that encounter. Growing up in Pasadena in the 80s was unique and memorable. Looking back, I realize that my childhood memories aren’t just about music and television but people and experiences that shaped me into the person I am today.
Remember to spread positivity with kindness and a smile! It may just be the bright spot someone needs on a bad day.
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