Category: 1980s

John Mellencamp’s Scarecrow: Rural Electrification (a look back)

March 1, 2023

Johnny Cougar. What a stupid name. John Cougar Mellencamp. Still a stupid name. Finally, Mellencamp had enough clout to insist on dropping “Cougar” from any version of his name. Mellencamp’s music was always difficult to categorize. The record company wanted another Bruce Springsteen-type pop-rocker. Instead of The Boss, you had Cougar. Just kidding. But not … More John Mellencamp’s Scarecrow: Rural Electrification (a look back)

Talking Heads, Chris Frantz’s book and the New Wave era

January 25, 2023

The Talking Heads were one of the biggest and most influential musical groups from the late 1970s to the late 1980s, essentially a decade of mostly innovating and provocative music. Once again, we get into labeling issues because this band mixed several genres and infused their own style. Post-punk, New Wave, indie, world music – … More Talking Heads, Chris Frantz’s book and the New Wave era

Bono: Surrender, 40 Songs, One Story (book review)

January 5, 2023

Bono, much like Bruce Springsteen, can sell a ton of records and tour stadiums around the world, but is maligned by many for his views and activities. Is he just another rich, liberal rockstar whose solution is to throw other people’s money at countries that can’t solve their own problems? Bono is certainly an activist … More Bono: Surrender, 40 Songs, One Story (book review)

Richard Dreyfuss and Danny DeVito: 1980s Films

August 24, 2022

Richard Dreyfuss and Danny DeVito only made one film together, Tin Men. It came in 1987, during the decade when both men were hot. Their careers are quite different, although their careers are quite long, and both play equally well in drama and comedy. Dreyfuss had enjoyed two decades as a leading man before settling … More Richard Dreyfuss and Danny DeVito: 1980s Films

Barbara Hershey, plus a look at two Woody Allen Films

August 7, 2022

In the 1960s, Barbara Hershey was an ingénue actress on television and small parts in films. There was something about her, more than sending young boys into puberty. She co-starred in a television Western called The Monroes, about a family of kids trying to make it on the frontier without adult supervision, just a benevolent … More Barbara Hershey, plus a look at two Woody Allen Films

Ron Shelton: The Church of Baseball (book review)

July 28, 2022

Arguably, the best sports films were directed by Ron Shelton. He is to sports films what Oliver Stone is to conspiracy thrillers and Quentin Tarantino is to gritty psychological thrillers. Shelton directed other non-sports films, crossing over into the weirdness of Stone/Tarantino. And yet, Shelton says that baseball is only secondary to Bull Durham. “It’s … More Ron Shelton: The Church of Baseball (book review)