By 1983, rock band Thin Lizzy were in a severe downward spiral. Although the group and in particular frontman Phil Lynott had maintained a successful profile since their mid-seventies breakthrough, substance abuse problems had taken a firm grip of Lynott and guitarist Scott Gorham, and they had gone through a succession of guitar players since Brian Robertson exited the band several years before.
Lizzy had recruited young hotshot John Sykes (from UK metal band Tygers of Pan Tang) in place of previous guitarist Snowy White, and with him in place they released the 'Thunder and Lightning' album in March 1983. The material was already written before Sykes joined, with the exception of lead-off single 'Cold Sweat'. The resulting record took the band in a far heavier direction; although always considered a hard rock band, they had a crossover appeal to music fans of many flavours which other groups (with the possible exception of Status Quo) never could boast. It therefore came as a shock to those fans when Thin Lizzy announced that the tour in support of the new album would be their last, and that they were to fold after completing their dates. Nobody outside of the Lizzy camp were aware of just how bad things were with Lynott of course, so it appeared a mystifying move to split the band just as they looked to be having a renaissance, with younger bands such as Def Leppard openly citing them as influences.
The band toured the UK and Europe extensively in 1983, and also appeared on television, playing live on Channel 4 'The Tube' and also being featured by the BBC, for their 'Sight and Sound in Concert' series. This series featured live acts appearing on television, but with audio-visual technology in its infancy then, the programme was simulcast on BBC Radio One so that viewers could see the pictures from the television while enjoying stereo sound on FM radio. Lizzy's career came to a halt with a headlining appearance at the Reading Festival, before releasing a live album 'Life'.
With Lizzy dissolved, Lynott put together a new group called Grand Slam which grabbed a few headlines, but quickly petered out. Sykes meanwhile went on to join fellow hard rockers Whitesnake, and gave their career a boost in much the same way he did with Lizzy. Unlike with Lizzy, Whitesnake were able to capitalise on the lift given to them by the dynamic Sykes and their later US success owed much to his input.
Meanwhile, Gorham, who was in almost as bad a shape as Lynott, finally took time out and cleaned himself up, reappearing several years later with a new group, 21 Guns. By the time he did so, Lynott had succumbed to his own demons, passing away in early 1986 at the age of just 36. He had just had yet another career lift, reuniting with old mate Gary Moore for the hit single 'Out In The Fields' and was considering a reformation of Lizzy when he took ill and died.
Although Lynott and Lizzy left us with some great music, and arguably went out on top with the strong 'Thunder and Lightning' album, we are still left wondering what might have been, had Lynott managed to pull back from the brink. An immense talent, much missed still today.
From one of their last TV appearances, from the UK show 'Saturday Stayback' here is 'Cold Sweat':
*2023 Update - replaced video link with better quality version*
Monday, 4 March 2013
Thursday, 28 February 2013
1983 in television: M*A*S*H comes to an end
1983 saw the end of an iconic American TV series: M*A*S*H. Set during the Korean War and focusing on a team of US Army doctors and their support staff, it ran for far longer than the actual Korean War, with eleven seasons and 251 episodes over a period of just over eight years. Although billed as a situation comedy (with a laugh track included initially), the subject meant it often covered more dramatic, serious material.'M*A*S*H' stood for 'Mobile Army Surgical Hospital' and the series grew from a film, itself based on a book by Richard Hooker: 'MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors'.
The show made stars of Alan Alda, who played chief surgeon 'Hawkeye' Pierce, and Loretta Swit, cast as head nurse Major 'Hotlips' Houlihan. Other memorable characters included Jamie Farr as Corporal Klinger, who was trying to get discharged by partaking in madcap stunts including dressing in drag, and Corporal 'Radar' O'Reilly (so named for his exceptional hearing) played by Gary Burghoff, one of the few cast members who appeared in the film version.
M*A*S*H ended with a special feature-length episode directed by Alda (who also had a hand in writing it) and depicted the events leading up to the ceasefire and subsequent closure of the unit, as well as chronicling the effects the war had on the personnel involved. The final episode drew a reported 121.6 million viewers in the US when it was broadcast, a figure which was greater than the audience for the 1983 Super Bowl and still a record today for the most watched finale of any television series in the US.
Thirty years after the show ended, it is still run in syndication in the US and is still seen internationally, with the show being issued on DVD during the 2000s.
The opening and closing titles to the show can be seen here, and the DVD issues for both Region 1 and 2 are still available at your favourite online retailer:
*2023 update: old video link replaced*
The show made stars of Alan Alda, who played chief surgeon 'Hawkeye' Pierce, and Loretta Swit, cast as head nurse Major 'Hotlips' Houlihan. Other memorable characters included Jamie Farr as Corporal Klinger, who was trying to get discharged by partaking in madcap stunts including dressing in drag, and Corporal 'Radar' O'Reilly (so named for his exceptional hearing) played by Gary Burghoff, one of the few cast members who appeared in the film version.
M*A*S*H ended with a special feature-length episode directed by Alda (who also had a hand in writing it) and depicted the events leading up to the ceasefire and subsequent closure of the unit, as well as chronicling the effects the war had on the personnel involved. The final episode drew a reported 121.6 million viewers in the US when it was broadcast, a figure which was greater than the audience for the 1983 Super Bowl and still a record today for the most watched finale of any television series in the US.
Thirty years after the show ended, it is still run in syndication in the US and is still seen internationally, with the show being issued on DVD during the 2000s.
The opening and closing titles to the show can be seen here, and the DVD issues for both Region 1 and 2 are still available at your favourite online retailer:
*2023 update: old video link replaced*
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
1983 - the year of the legwarmers
It seemed legwarmers were everywhere in 1983; popularised first by a series of keep-fit videotapes released by actress Jane Fonda, in which she demonstrated aerobic exercises, then with the release of the film 'Flashdance'. The film told the story of a young woman (played by Jennifer Beals) who dreamed of becoming a dancer, and the success of the movie helped spark the legwarmer craze.
Legwarmers were only created a few years earlier, they were intended to be worn only during a dancer's warm-up routine. The 'Jane Fonda's Workout' series of videotapes also did much to bring the legwarmer into public consciousness; the actress herself took up aerobics as a way to stay in shape (she was in her early forties at the time) after fracturing her foot during filming of 'The China Syndrome'. She had previously been a ballet enthusiast, but after the injury had to change to an alternative way to maintain her fitness. Her series of aerobics videos took off, helped by the still recent boom in home video and gave her career an unexpected boost, as well as helping to inspire many people to take up the activity.
The series influenced much TV programming in the 1980s, even in Britain where the BBC's then-new breakfast TV show included an aerobics feature. Hosted by Diana Moran, she was known as 'The Green Goddess' for her tendency to wear green leotards (and legwarmers!)
Even for those who were not as keen on aerobics however, the legwarmer became a must-have item for young women in 1983. The trend lasted until around the middle of the 80s, before coming back into style around 20 years later.
Here is a segment from one of Jane Fonda's Workout videos, a runaway hit in 1983. (Joining in is optional!)
(2023 update: video links replaced)
Also here is the song from that hit film 'Flashdance': 'Flashdance...What A Feeling':
*2023 Update: Sadly singer Irene Cara (who performed the title song 'Flashdance...What A Feeling') passed away aged 63 in November 2022. *
Legwarmers were only created a few years earlier, they were intended to be worn only during a dancer's warm-up routine. The 'Jane Fonda's Workout' series of videotapes also did much to bring the legwarmer into public consciousness; the actress herself took up aerobics as a way to stay in shape (she was in her early forties at the time) after fracturing her foot during filming of 'The China Syndrome'. She had previously been a ballet enthusiast, but after the injury had to change to an alternative way to maintain her fitness. Her series of aerobics videos took off, helped by the still recent boom in home video and gave her career an unexpected boost, as well as helping to inspire many people to take up the activity.
The series influenced much TV programming in the 1980s, even in Britain where the BBC's then-new breakfast TV show included an aerobics feature. Hosted by Diana Moran, she was known as 'The Green Goddess' for her tendency to wear green leotards (and legwarmers!)
Even for those who were not as keen on aerobics however, the legwarmer became a must-have item for young women in 1983. The trend lasted until around the middle of the 80s, before coming back into style around 20 years later.
Here is a segment from one of Jane Fonda's Workout videos, a runaway hit in 1983. (Joining in is optional!)
(2023 update: video links replaced)
Also here is the song from that hit film 'Flashdance': 'Flashdance...What A Feeling':
*2023 Update: Sadly singer Irene Cara (who performed the title song 'Flashdance...What A Feeling') passed away aged 63 in November 2022. *
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Racehorse Shergar kidnapped and never seen again
When racehorse Shergar was kidnapped in early 1983 it caused a media sensation; Shergar was a real superstar of the racing world having not just won the Epsom Derby of two years previously, he absolutely ran away with it. Owned by the Aga Khan, his career was short but extremely successful, notching up impressive wins in the English and Irish derbies, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. He was retired to stud, with the Aga Khan having sold shares in the horse to a select few others, but managed only one season before he was kidnapped, with the owners pinning the blame for the kidnapping on the Provisional IRA.
The mystery of what happened to Shergar has never been solved; the kidnappers were hoping for a huge ransom fee but it soon became clear the owners had no intention of paying any sort of ransom, since they felt that if this kidnap had succeeded then others would have tried the same thing. With a horse on their hands which they had no experience of handling, and a feeling that they would have been found out sooner rather than later, it is widely believed that they simply killed and disposed of the horse. A sad tale with no winners; the kidnappers got nothing and only succeeded in turning a nation against them, as Shergar was a celebrity in Ireland where he was kept, as well as in Britain for his devastating win at Epsom.
A short feature on the kidnapping of Shergar:
See Shergar's runaway victory in the Epsom Derby:
The mystery of what happened to Shergar has never been solved; the kidnappers were hoping for a huge ransom fee but it soon became clear the owners had no intention of paying any sort of ransom, since they felt that if this kidnap had succeeded then others would have tried the same thing. With a horse on their hands which they had no experience of handling, and a feeling that they would have been found out sooner rather than later, it is widely believed that they simply killed and disposed of the horse. A sad tale with no winners; the kidnappers got nothing and only succeeded in turning a nation against them, as Shergar was a celebrity in Ireland where he was kept, as well as in Britain for his devastating win at Epsom.
A short feature on the kidnapping of Shergar:
See Shergar's runaway victory in the Epsom Derby:
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Tennis superstar Björn Borg retires at just 26
In early 1983, when Björn Borg announced his immediate retirement from tennis at the age of just 26, it stunned not just the world of tennis but sport as a whole. The Swede was arguably the first superstar of the open era, and had notched up 11 major titles since turning professional just ten years earlier.
His playing style was considered innovative, renowned for his shots with heavy topspin which enabled him to hit balls high and hard from the back of the court. His incredible fitness contributed also to his success, in an era when tennis stars were sometimes known for partying hard, Borg's conditioning often helped him to prevail even over opponents considered superior in ability.
In Britain, of course he is best known for his five successive Wimbledon Men's Singles titles. In 1976, aged just 20 years old, he defeated Romanian favourite Ilie Nastase to become the youngest ever Wimbledon Men's Singles champion, a record which stood until 1985 when Boris Becker won at the age of 17. Borg returned the following year to defend the title successfully, defeating his great rival (and top seed that year) Jimmy Connors in an epic final that went the full five sets.
In 1978 Borg was almost dumped out of the tournament in the first round, battling back from two sets to one down against unseeded American Victor Amaya before a relatively untroubled run to the final, once again facing Connors. This time however, Borg ran out winner in straight sets. He had another five-set scare in 1979, in the second round against Vijay Amritraj of India, before once again overcoming a two set to one deficit. From then on he had little trouble on his run to that final, defeating Connors in straight sets in the semi, to face huge-serving American Roscoe Tanner. That final was another five-set epic with Borg prevailing again after trailing two sets to one.
But it was his fifth and final Wimbledon title in 1980 which sealed his legend when he faced rising US superstar John McEnroe in the final. McEnroe and Borg were polar opposites; Borg was known as 'The Ice Borg' for his apparently unflappable demeanour on court, set against the brash, fiery McEnroe whose frequent losses of temper saw him dubbed 'Superbrat' by the British tabloid press. The fourth set went to a tie-break which lasted for 20 minutes, and saw McEnroe save five match points and eventually win it by 18 points to 16. However, in the deciding set, Borg edged out the American winning by 8 games to 6, to win his fifth successive Wimbledon title in a match considered one of the greatest ever at the All-England Club.
In 1981 Borg returned, fresh from having won his sixth French Open Men's Singles title to seek a sixth Wimbledon championship. That year, he did not drop a set until the semi-final, facing old foe Connors once more he recovered from losing the first set 0-6 and the second set 4-6, to battle his way past the American and set up a repeat of the previous year's final. This time, the result went the other way, with McEnroe winning in four sets to end Borg's 41-match unbeaten run at SW19.
Borg's open-era record of five Wimbledon Men's Singles titles stood until 1999 when American Pete Sampras won his sixth. However, his record of five consecutive titles remains unbeaten, only being matched by Roger Federer of Switzerland in 2007. (Sampras and Federer share the current record of most Men's Singles titles in the open era, with seven titles each). His record of six French Open titles was only beaten by Spain's Rafael Nadal in 2012, and his total of 11 major titles in the open era has only been beaten by Sampras and Federer, with Nadal having equalled the tally. Borg was less successful in major tournaments outside of the UK and France, reaching four US Open finals but losing all of them (twice to Connors, and twice to McEnroe) and only reaching the third round of the Australian Open in 1974. Nonetheless his achievements were monumental, and it was actually John McEnroe who tried (unsuccessfully) to talk the Swede out of retiring from the sport in the hope of continuing a sporting rivalry that had already become legendary.
Post-retirement he suffered a number of failed business ventures which almost saw him ruined financially, before launching a fashion label to success. He staged a short-lived playing comeback in the early 1990s, but his insistence on using a wooden racket in the more modern era when graphite rackets were prevalent, meant his return was unsuccessful.
Borg was not seen at Wimbledon even as a visitor until 2007, when he returned to witness Roger Federer equal his record of five Men's Singles titles, and he has since been seen at numerous exhibition tournaments. Thirty years after his shock retirement from tennis, his name is still synonymous with the sport and with Wimbledon, scene of his most glorious achievements.
Highlights of the 1980 Wimbledon final can be seen here:
*2023 Update - Replaced old video link*
His playing style was considered innovative, renowned for his shots with heavy topspin which enabled him to hit balls high and hard from the back of the court. His incredible fitness contributed also to his success, in an era when tennis stars were sometimes known for partying hard, Borg's conditioning often helped him to prevail even over opponents considered superior in ability.
In Britain, of course he is best known for his five successive Wimbledon Men's Singles titles. In 1976, aged just 20 years old, he defeated Romanian favourite Ilie Nastase to become the youngest ever Wimbledon Men's Singles champion, a record which stood until 1985 when Boris Becker won at the age of 17. Borg returned the following year to defend the title successfully, defeating his great rival (and top seed that year) Jimmy Connors in an epic final that went the full five sets.
In 1978 Borg was almost dumped out of the tournament in the first round, battling back from two sets to one down against unseeded American Victor Amaya before a relatively untroubled run to the final, once again facing Connors. This time however, Borg ran out winner in straight sets. He had another five-set scare in 1979, in the second round against Vijay Amritraj of India, before once again overcoming a two set to one deficit. From then on he had little trouble on his run to that final, defeating Connors in straight sets in the semi, to face huge-serving American Roscoe Tanner. That final was another five-set epic with Borg prevailing again after trailing two sets to one.
But it was his fifth and final Wimbledon title in 1980 which sealed his legend when he faced rising US superstar John McEnroe in the final. McEnroe and Borg were polar opposites; Borg was known as 'The Ice Borg' for his apparently unflappable demeanour on court, set against the brash, fiery McEnroe whose frequent losses of temper saw him dubbed 'Superbrat' by the British tabloid press. The fourth set went to a tie-break which lasted for 20 minutes, and saw McEnroe save five match points and eventually win it by 18 points to 16. However, in the deciding set, Borg edged out the American winning by 8 games to 6, to win his fifth successive Wimbledon title in a match considered one of the greatest ever at the All-England Club.
In 1981 Borg returned, fresh from having won his sixth French Open Men's Singles title to seek a sixth Wimbledon championship. That year, he did not drop a set until the semi-final, facing old foe Connors once more he recovered from losing the first set 0-6 and the second set 4-6, to battle his way past the American and set up a repeat of the previous year's final. This time, the result went the other way, with McEnroe winning in four sets to end Borg's 41-match unbeaten run at SW19.
Borg's open-era record of five Wimbledon Men's Singles titles stood until 1999 when American Pete Sampras won his sixth. However, his record of five consecutive titles remains unbeaten, only being matched by Roger Federer of Switzerland in 2007. (Sampras and Federer share the current record of most Men's Singles titles in the open era, with seven titles each). His record of six French Open titles was only beaten by Spain's Rafael Nadal in 2012, and his total of 11 major titles in the open era has only been beaten by Sampras and Federer, with Nadal having equalled the tally. Borg was less successful in major tournaments outside of the UK and France, reaching four US Open finals but losing all of them (twice to Connors, and twice to McEnroe) and only reaching the third round of the Australian Open in 1974. Nonetheless his achievements were monumental, and it was actually John McEnroe who tried (unsuccessfully) to talk the Swede out of retiring from the sport in the hope of continuing a sporting rivalry that had already become legendary.
Post-retirement he suffered a number of failed business ventures which almost saw him ruined financially, before launching a fashion label to success. He staged a short-lived playing comeback in the early 1990s, but his insistence on using a wooden racket in the more modern era when graphite rackets were prevalent, meant his return was unsuccessful.
Borg was not seen at Wimbledon even as a visitor until 2007, when he returned to witness Roger Federer equal his record of five Men's Singles titles, and he has since been seen at numerous exhibition tournaments. Thirty years after his shock retirement from tennis, his name is still synonymous with the sport and with Wimbledon, scene of his most glorious achievements.
Highlights of the 1980 Wimbledon final can be seen here:
*2023 Update - Replaced old video link*
Monday, 4 February 2013
Karen Carpenter
The 4th February marks the 30th anniversary of the death of singer Karen Carpenter. While at the time, her passing barely registered with the young Metal fan I was then, I've since come to appreciate her immense talent, even if her music was and still is not really my thing.
The Carpenters, a musical duo comprising of brother and sister Karen and Richard, were a huge act throughout the 1970s. Richard was the musical genius who produced and arranged their records, as well as playing piano and other keyboard instruments, while Karen was the singer and originally, also the drummer. She was an accomplished percussionist and actually considered herself a drummer first, then singer. However, once the public heard her singing voice, they immediately fell in love with it, and soon there were calls to have her come out from behind the kit so that people could see her better on stage. She was very reluctant to do so, and was only persuaded to by her brother and her management.
The duo enjoyed a long run of hit singles and albums both in their native US and internationally, with their songs becoming daytime radio staples. However the success was taking its toll, with Richard becoming dependent on Quaaludes and Karen becoming noticeably thinner. Her condition, anorexia nervosa, was not widely known about at the time and it wasn't until her passing that awareness of the condition was raised.
The Carpenters achieved a great deal in their career, and one thing they have been credited for inventing is the power ballad. 'Goodbye to Love', a track from their 'A Song For You' album was released in 1972 and, unusually for the duo, it featured an electric guitar solo - two, in fact. The guitarist on the song, Tony Peluso, took a call from Karen Carpenter asking him to play on their record and he at first refused to believe it was her. The resulting song was a hit, but drew some criticism from fans who thought that the duo had turned away from their trademark sound, just because of that solo. In fact some radio stations refused to play the track because of it! Nonetheless, the track became a template and every power ballad you hear today owes something to 'Goodbye To Love'.
To mark 30 years since Karen Carpenter's passing, here is that song, set to a montage of clips:
The Carpenters, a musical duo comprising of brother and sister Karen and Richard, were a huge act throughout the 1970s. Richard was the musical genius who produced and arranged their records, as well as playing piano and other keyboard instruments, while Karen was the singer and originally, also the drummer. She was an accomplished percussionist and actually considered herself a drummer first, then singer. However, once the public heard her singing voice, they immediately fell in love with it, and soon there were calls to have her come out from behind the kit so that people could see her better on stage. She was very reluctant to do so, and was only persuaded to by her brother and her management.
The duo enjoyed a long run of hit singles and albums both in their native US and internationally, with their songs becoming daytime radio staples. However the success was taking its toll, with Richard becoming dependent on Quaaludes and Karen becoming noticeably thinner. Her condition, anorexia nervosa, was not widely known about at the time and it wasn't until her passing that awareness of the condition was raised.
The Carpenters achieved a great deal in their career, and one thing they have been credited for inventing is the power ballad. 'Goodbye to Love', a track from their 'A Song For You' album was released in 1972 and, unusually for the duo, it featured an electric guitar solo - two, in fact. The guitarist on the song, Tony Peluso, took a call from Karen Carpenter asking him to play on their record and he at first refused to believe it was her. The resulting song was a hit, but drew some criticism from fans who thought that the duo had turned away from their trademark sound, just because of that solo. In fact some radio stations refused to play the track because of it! Nonetheless, the track became a template and every power ballad you hear today owes something to 'Goodbye To Love'.
To mark 30 years since Karen Carpenter's passing, here is that song, set to a montage of clips:
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Music of 1983: Michael Jackson collaborates with Eddie Van Halen
Without a doubt the biggest music star of 1983 was Michael Jackson. His sixth solo album 'Thriller' had been released in November of the previous year and had a lot to live up to; his previous solo effort 'Off The Wall' produced five hit singles. As with that record, the 'Thriller' album touched on several different musical styles - but this time, including a venture into rock.
For the song 'Beat It', producer Quincy Jones recruited Eddie Van Halen to play the lead guitar solo. At first thinking the call was a joke, the guitarist then agreed to play the solo and furthermore, did it free of charge. At the time, his decision was ridiculed by his bandmates but as the song became a smash, suddenly many more people outside the world of rock wanted to know more about this guitar sensation. He was, of course already widely known within rock circles, having won numerous 'best guitarist' polls. The success of 'Beat It' achieved Jackson's aim of producing a song that would cross over to rock and in return Van Halen (both the guitarist, and the band named for him and brother Alex) got a lot more attention.
Eddie Van Halen wasn't the only rock musician to appear on the track; others included were Steve Lukather, plus Steve and Jeff Porcaro of Toto. The song's video (whose concept was about gang disputes), was also influential, featuring a synchronised dance sequence which went on to become a trademark of his videos (and would be taken a step further on the track 'Thriller'). Dance sequences began to feature in videos from other artists too, including rock singer Pat Benatar, whose 'Love Is A Battlefield' video featured a Jackson-inspired sequence. Not only that, but other mainstream artists suddenly found room for a guitar solo in their songs, once Jackson's 'Beat It' paved the way.
Jackson collected eight Grammy awards the next year, two of which were for 'Beat It'. His achievements in 1983 could span several articles (they will!) but the significance of a soul artist successfully crossing over and making a hit rock song was just the start of a phenomenal year for Michael Jackson. Here is 'Beat It':
For the song 'Beat It', producer Quincy Jones recruited Eddie Van Halen to play the lead guitar solo. At first thinking the call was a joke, the guitarist then agreed to play the solo and furthermore, did it free of charge. At the time, his decision was ridiculed by his bandmates but as the song became a smash, suddenly many more people outside the world of rock wanted to know more about this guitar sensation. He was, of course already widely known within rock circles, having won numerous 'best guitarist' polls. The success of 'Beat It' achieved Jackson's aim of producing a song that would cross over to rock and in return Van Halen (both the guitarist, and the band named for him and brother Alex) got a lot more attention.
Eddie Van Halen wasn't the only rock musician to appear on the track; others included were Steve Lukather, plus Steve and Jeff Porcaro of Toto. The song's video (whose concept was about gang disputes), was also influential, featuring a synchronised dance sequence which went on to become a trademark of his videos (and would be taken a step further on the track 'Thriller'). Dance sequences began to feature in videos from other artists too, including rock singer Pat Benatar, whose 'Love Is A Battlefield' video featured a Jackson-inspired sequence. Not only that, but other mainstream artists suddenly found room for a guitar solo in their songs, once Jackson's 'Beat It' paved the way.
Jackson collected eight Grammy awards the next year, two of which were for 'Beat It'. His achievements in 1983 could span several articles (they will!) but the significance of a soul artist successfully crossing over and making a hit rock song was just the start of a phenomenal year for Michael Jackson. Here is 'Beat It':
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