1982 was definitely the “center lane” for Techno-Pop music. New British and L.A.-based bands were experimenting with a variety of unique dance club mixes — complete with rhythmic beats, synthesized keyboards and added special effects.

The rest of the U.S. was playing it much safer — using a very polished, clean Rock sound.

As a result, in 1982, many Major Market Progressive radio stations were beginning to tighten-up their playlists with highly-researched song titles in a new format called Album Oriented Rock (or AOR).

But have no fear…there was a little something for everyone coming out of the year 1982.

Some great albums included the “supergroup” Asia’s debut effort, A Flock of Seagulls’ first album, Peter Gabriel’s “Security” which gave us his classic “Shock the Monkey”, plus Techno-Pop bands like Haircut 100, Aztec Camera, Madness, Duran Duran and Wall of Voodoo.

Here in Nashville, we were all raving to the “raunch-rock” sound of local heroes like Practical Stylists and The White Animals — who were one of the very first independent bands to ever get a video track played on MTV!

Back in 1982:

• Minimum wage in the U.S. was $3.35 per hour
• The average annual income was $21,073
• You could buy a new car for under $8,000
• A new house went for $82,500
• A loaf of bread was 65 cents
• Gas cost only 91 cents per gallon
• First Class postage was only 20 cents!

1982 World News Headlines:

• The Sandinista regime in Nicaragua suspended all civil rights there
• Police broke up solidarity rallies in Poland
• Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands
• British troops re-took the Falklands just 45 days later
• Gas prices tumbled amidst a global oil glut
• Princess Grace died in an automobile accident

1982 U.S. News Headlines:

• Barney Clarke received the first artificial heart in a Houston hospital
• The FCC dropped its limits on the duration and frequency of TV ads
• Nearly $10,000,000 was stolen from an armored truck in New York City
• The World’s Fair opened in Knoxville, Tennessee
• The Delorean Motor Company declared bankruptcy
• John Belushi died from a cocaine and heroin overdose
• Kodak introduced the first disc camera

The top TV shows in 1982:  Dallas, Cheers, Magnum P.I., Dynasty, St. Elsewhere, Three’s Company, Family Ties, Cagney & Lacey, Hill St. Blues, Falcon Crest, The Love Boat, One Day at a Time, Newhart, The Fall Guy, Simon & Simon, and The A-Team

Favorite movies from 1982:  E.T., Ghandi, Sophie’s Choice, Blade Runner, Tootsie, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, Poltergeist, Pink Floyd’s The Wall, 48 Hrs., Tron, Rocky III, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, An Officer & A Gentleman, The Dark Crystal, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, Victor/Victoria, Valley Girl, Cat People, Diner, Megaforce, and Eating Raoul

Hear the music of 1982 streaming live right now on both TuneIn and Live 365!

Thank you for listening to and supporting our station!

– Fred