I graduated High School in 1984. I am the epitome of an 80s Kid. I have tried many many times to explain the 80s to my own children. It’s a difficult decade to explain because most of todays pop culture gets it wrong.
I recently ran into one of my students as she was going to an 80s party. She had on literally EVERY cliche 80s fashion. From BIG bangs to a mullet with a rat tail. A Michael Jackson glove, MC Hammer Pants with a fanny pack. Crazy colorful makeup yet managed to put on black eyeliner. Dangly earrings that nearly touched the massive shoulder pads in her jacket.
You can pick on us for our fashion and hair- BUT WE HAD THE BEST MUSIC and MOST OF THE BEST MOVIES.
In the 80s It was OK, or even expected for kids to get hurt. We were kids. We got bumps, bruises, cuts and were roughed up on a regular basis. Our feelings were hurt and we somehow had the support systems in place to overcome this adversity. SURE I did stupid things. But I learned that doing something stupid had consequences.
We spent countless hours outside. Largely unsupervised. I do not think my parents EVER knew where we were. They knew we were “out”. We were with friends. The media today makes their money by frightening you. They want you to believe there is a predator at every corner. That drug dealers are just giving drugs away to children (because that is a good business plan?!).
80s music. Loved and Hated.
I was able to see a lot of great bands in the 80s. Bands that were still around from the 60s as well as bands that were new and on their way up. Of course there are Rolling Stones and The Who which somehow are still around and on tour! (Not in any particular order. Just what I remember. (Bjorn, Joe- What am I forgetting?)
- The Kinks
- The Ramones
- The Rolling Stones
- The Who
- The Police
- Psychedelic Furs
- Big Country
- The Alarm
- Run DMC
- Beastie Boys
- Black Flag
- Depeche Mode
- The Smiths
- The Cure
- David Bowie
- Asia
- Sugar Cubes
- Talking Heads
- Bruce Springsteen
- Peter Gabriel
I remember when one of my students asked me if I passed notes when I was in school. Apparently her mother told her about passing notes. The good thing is you could always destroy a note. Burn it, flush it, eat it if necessary to get rid of the evidence. Try that with an iPhone.
As the 80’s turned into the 90’s there were big changes. The Reagan/Bush era turned to the Clintons. Germany reunified.
Tony Retrosi 