Rock of age
Stumbled upon a great channel the other day on my television set. It shows nothing but 1980s videos. These videos brought me back to a time when things were simpler and every guy used a can of Aqua Net in their hair, daily.
The first video I watched was “Jump” by Van Halen. I watched with glee as David Lee Roth strutted around the stage doing the splits. I heard a vicious rumor that the song was written about some woman who sent Roth a letter saying, “marry me or I jump off a bridge.” Who knows if it is true but it is certainly very ’80s.
The next video was “Another
One Bites The Dust” by Queen. I remember being in high school and watching our cheerleaders perform a whole routine to this song. I thought that was the coolest thing I had ever seen. It planted this song in my head and it was a requirement that I blast it from my cassette player in my 1964 Mercury Comet. Of course, finding the song on the cassette proved to be a challenge but when I stopped the tape close to the start of the song, I certainly cranked my car stereo up to 11.
Up next on the channel was Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in their oversized Choose Life T-shirts were thoroughly entertaining. Let us not forget the very cool bright yellow fingerless gloves that George wore in the video. I had my own pair. They were black battling gloves that I cut the fingers out of but I thought I was the epitome of cool.
The last video I watched before I dragged myself back into reality was Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” According to Jackson’s biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli, “Billie Jean” was inspired by letters Jackson received in 1981 from a woman claiming he was the father of one of her twins. Michael was the hottest thing around when I was in high school. His album “Thriller” was all the rage and produced hit after hit. Coincidentally, a glove was also considered cool because of Jackson’s sequined glove that he always wore on his right hand.
It was not until after I had returned from my trip to the land of parachute pants and mullets that I discovered an eerie connection between all of those videos. In each of those four videos, one of the main performers has passed away. Eddie Van Halen died in October of 2020. We lost Freddie Mercury in 1991. George Michael left us on Christmas Day 2016. Michael Jackson departed this world in 2009.
Makes you think, doesn’t it? When I reflect back on how carefree the 1980s were for me, I remember how much these entertainers made my life much more fun. They were such a big part of my teenage years and now they are gone.
I am sure they all thought they would have more time. More time to make great music and enjoy their lives. Tragically, they did not. Therefore, in the words of Michael, let us all start with the “Man in the Mirror.”
“If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.”
Eddie would want you to do it “Right Now.” Don’t wait to try that thing you have always wanted to do.
Freddie would tell you to remember we all have “Somebody To Love.” Tell them what they mean to you. Give them a hug and let them know you love them.
Finally, George would ask that we all keep the “Faith.” Life can be challenging but it is so worth it. Go out and enjoy it to the fullest.
Rock on! You will not regret it.