1980…not one of the most innovative and exciting years musically. But there were a few shining moments, including Pat Benatar, Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, Blondie, and Bruce Springsteen‘s “The River”. The biggest star of 1980 was an unknown “yacht-rocker” named Christopher Cross — who burst onto the scene with three chart-topping hit singles from his debut album.
We were also in the midst of the “Urban Cowboy Era” that year — where several twangy-based tunes found their way onto Pop and Rock radio.
Back In 1980:
- Minimum wage in the U.S. was $3.10 per hour
- The average annual income was $19,173
- A new car cost you $7,200
- You could build a new house for $68,714
- A loaf of bread was 51 cents
- A gallon of gas was $1.19
- First Class postage was only 15 cents!
1980 World News Headlines:
- The U.S., Japan & West Germany boycotted the Olympic Games in Moscow to protest military intervention in Afghanistan
- Iran and Iraq went to war
- Gold prices soared to $835 per ounce on the London Market
- The World Health Organization announced the worldwide eradication of Smallpox
- RU-486, the abortion pill was released in France
- The Winter Olympics opened in Lake Placid, New York
1980 U.S. News Headlines:
- Republican Ronald Reagan was elected president
- John Lennon was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8th
- Mount Saint Helens in Washington state erupted after 123 years, killing 60 people
- CNN launched as the nation’s first 24-Hour all-news TV network
- The U.S. spacecraft, Voyager 1 flew by the planet Saturn
- 30% of U.S. auto sales were imports
- Post-It Notes were introduced by 3M
The top TV shows in 1980: Dallas, The Dukes of Hazzard, M*A*S*H*, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, Little House on the Prairie, Alice, Three’s Company, One Day at a Time, Too Close for Comfort, Magnum P.I., and Diff’rent Strokes.
Favorite movies from 1980: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, The Shining, The Blues Brothers, Airplane!, Raging Bull, Caddyshack, Ordinary People, 9-to-5, Friday the 13th, Somewhere in Time, The Blue Lagoon, Private Benjamin, Altered States, Dressed to Kill, Xanadu, American Gigolo, Urban Cowboy, Coal Miner’s Daughter, Stir Crazy, Bronco Billy, and The Jazz Singer.
On this week’s broadcast, hear all the Progressive Rock from that year along with a few other surprises — all from the year 1980. It’s streaming right now on both Live365 and TuneIn apps!
I thank you for listening!
– Fred
Fred
Hope all is well, long time listener, always looked forward to Saturday mornings, and Retro Lightening, now Retroalbum Rock. Thanks for keeping this groove going for us.
Question, where can I see the playlists each week, and the playlists from past shows. I always looked forward to going through it and looking up albums, songs, etc.
Thanks again for our weekly dose of the golden years of music! Look forward to hearing back
Rick
Hi Rick,
Thanks for checking in. Glad that you are still with us!
Since the channel is 24/7 now, it’s nearly impossible to list all of the music we feature on a particular week’s broadcast for a single year.
But in repsonse to your request, I’ve re-activated the “Playlists” page that will show one “4-Hour” sample of music from the previous week’s broadcast. This will give you an idea of what was played throughout the last week.
Please note that we change out the Feature Year every Saturday morning (just like we did previously on 100.1FM). So be sure and tune-in then so you can catch our new playlist for the upcoming week!
Thanks again for your continued support of “Retro Album Rock”, and please tell your friends, family and co-workers to give us a listen, too! Remember, you don’t need to be a Live365 VIP member to hear us.
Best regards,
Fred
Thank you Fred, Merry Christmas and a Happy and blessed New Year to you and yours!
Fred — Always enjoy Retro Album Rock. In terms of 1980, I’d appreciate hearing some cuts from Daryl Hall’s Sacred Songs lp, as well as from Pete Townshend’s Empty Glass. Thanks.
Phil Ramone
Ottawa, KS
Hi Phil — Thanks for listening, as always! We’ll include some of this music in our playlist during the week. I can’t tell you exactly when they will play, but I hope you’ll be able to catch it. btw… You’re not too far from Lenexa & Overland Park, where I spent a few years on-air at 101KCFX-The Fox. Again, thanks for your support of the station! All the best, Fred
I’ve been listening for about a month and this station is excellent. I have most everything you play in my collection except I don’t have to dig the records out myself lol.
Well, Now I need to look up The White Animals. Not being from Nashville, this band slipped past me in the 80’s. Heard a cut on Retro Album Rock and now am doing a deep dive because they sounded amazing. Thanks Fred!