Iron Maiden’s ‘Piece of Mind’ album turns 30

For you folks that bought Iron Maiden’s ‘Piece of Mind‘ album in 1983; Are you feeling old yet? The album was recorded January – March 1983 and released May 16, 1983.

‘Piece of Mind’ was Maiden’s fourth studio album released by EMI and by Capitol Records in the US, where it was reissued later by Sanctuary/Columbia Records. This was the first album to feature drummer Nicko McBrain, who had recently left the Paris-based band Trust and has been Iron Maiden’s drummer ever since.

The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 3 in the UK Albums Chart and achieving platinum certification in the UK and North America.

Track Listing:

If you have forgotten the track listing, here you go:

1. “Where Eagles Dare“
2. “Revelations“
3. “Flight of Icarus“
4. “Die with Your Boots On“
5. “The Trooper“
6. “Still Life“
7. “Quest for Fire“
8. “Sun and Steel“
9. “To Tame a Land“

Fun Fact:

At the beginning of the sixth track, “Still Life”, the band included a hidden message which could only be understood by playing the album backwards. This was a joke and an intended swing back at the critics who had accused Iron Maiden of being Satanic.

Emmy-nominated Actor Rob Lowe To Narrate The ’80s: The Decade That Made Us for National Geographic Channel

The ’80s: The Decade That Made Us, the National Geographic Channel announced that Emmy-nominated actor Rob Lowe will narrate the six-part cultural programming event that offers an unprecedented look at the moments, trends, inventions, and culture that have shaped our world today.

The ’80s: The Decade That Made Us isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about the history of our modern world that spawned political, technological, cultural and social revolutions that began in the United States and went on to dominate the world. This cultural programming event is the defining biography of a generation. It’s about a decade of people, decisions and inventions that changed our future, told from the perspective of the unknowing history makers who lived these iconic moments.

We worked out, worked harder, played harder and consumed more — because the 1980s was the decade when we went forward to the future. The first launch of the Space Shuttle triggered a technological explosion in global communications that gave birth to our modern love affair with smartphones; Madonna rolled around on stage in a wedding dress, sending shock waves through a celebrity-hungry world that can’t get enough of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry today. These and other incredible stories reveal surprising, unexpected details and twists and turns from a decade you only thought you knew.

“National Geographic Channel is a leader in creating engaging and relevant programs that viewers can trust,” said Lowe. “This series is a unique and provocative look back at one of the most exciting and revolutionary periods in American history.”

“Rob Lowe is one of today’s most enduring actors, and his films from the 1980s were among the most popular of the decade, with the ‘Brat Pack‘ films setting a new standard for the teen movie genre,” added Michael Cascio, EVP of Programming, National Geographic Channel. “He is the perfect narrator for this series and his voice brings to life the triumphs, challenges, and effervescent spirit of this bright and important time.”

Check out The ’80s: The Decade That Made Us website for episode schedules.

Twitter hashtag: #natgeo80s

’80s band Pet Shop Boys set for Las Vegas concert

English electronic duo Pet Shop Boys are set to bring the spirit of the ’80s to Las Vegas.

Music venue The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel announced the duo’s arrival on Friday, Oct. 11. Tickets, which start at $45, go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Apart from their catchy 1980s-defining hits, Pet Shop Boys are stopping in Las Vegas as part of a tour to promote their latest album, Electric.

Tickets are available at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000.

Look what the lawyers dragged in; Poison sued for alleged plagiarism

Members of Poison have been hit with a lawsuit claiming that four of their songs were stolen from another band.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Illinois federal court, isn’t over recently created work, but rather over old hits, including “Talk Dirty To Me,” “I Won’t Forget You,” “Fallen Angel” and “Ride the Wind.”

The plaintiffs in this new case are Billy McCarthy and James Stonich, who were members of a Chicago band known as Kid Rocker. This band was formerly signed to Atlantic Records and is said to have been a favorite on the Hollywood club scene in the early-1980s. During those years, they created a number of songs, including “Hit and Run” and “Wham Bam Slammin’ Romance,” which are said to have later been incorporated by Poison in their own work.

According to the plaintiffs, in 1984, before guitarist C.C. DeVille joined Poison, he auditioned for Kid Rocker. During this time, he allegedly was shown completed and formatted songs and was lent master-recorded studio tapes. Kid Rocker disbanded that year, but McCarthy purportedly presented songs for DeVille’s use as a member of another band, Screamin’ Mimis. Then DeVille joined Poison, and the rest is history. In 2004 McCarthy was asked by Sleaze Roxx how much of a hand he had in writing “Talk Dirty To Me” and replied, “I was the only hand in the arrangement–which Poison karaoke’d off Screamin Mimi’s version. If others differ, I’m waiting to hear or see it.” Poison became one of the stars of the glam era as their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, sold approximately 4 million copies.

Now, 25 years later, McCarthy and Stonich are suing members of Poison plus Capitol Records and EMI Music for allegedly infringing the copyright on their songs. The plaintiffs are demanding disgorgement of all profits from the songs in question, statutory damages for willful infringement, and an injunction that prevents Poison and Michaels from performing this allegedly stolen material.

Sesame Street asks back in 1984, “What is a computer?”

Eighties Halloween (or 80′s party) costume ideas

Women's 80's Groupie Adult Costume

It’s getting close to that time of year again! Time to think about what you (or your kids) are going to be for Halloween or that 80′s party you just invited to. There’s no need to panic — i80s has you hooked up with lots of 80′s costume ideas to choose from!

Some of the eighties styles are actually back again so you can find lots of day glow or fluorescent colored clothes, checkered clothes and shoes, and punk-ish type attire (without being too punk-ish of course) at your local shopping mall. This way you can accessorize your (or your child’s) 80′s costume quite easily.

80′s Costume Ideas

• Smurfs
• Mario Brothers / Super Mario Brothers (kids) (adults)
• Rubik’s Cube (men’s) (women’s)
• Olivia Newton John – Let’s Get Physical costume
• Madonna (Like A Virgin costume)
• Valley Girl
• 80′s Diva
• The Preppy look – Collar up, pastels, sweaters wrapped around shoulders, penny loafers, etc.
• Flashdance
• Pretty In Pink
• 80′s Rocker / Hairband
• Mullet  / Redneck / Billy Ray Cyrus Wig
• Cute 80′s Pop Party costume
• Joan Jett
• Toni Basil (Although some folks might just think you’re a cheerleader)
• Punky Brewster
• M.C. Hammer / 80′s Rapper type costumes
• Karate Kid costume
• Michael Jackson
• Cyndi Lauper
• Twisted Sister (Dee Snyder)
• Devo
• Break dancer – Parachute pants, tight shirt, sneakers and carry a boombox!
• Mr. T
• 80′s Groupie
• Wham! costume (can also be used for just a normal 80′s dude or chick) – White pants, a CHOOSE LIFE or similar large lettered shirt (men’s)(woman’s), white sneakers, and do your hair up in an eighties kind of way (women – teased, sprayed, blown) (men – also blow-dried and/or gelled).
• Miami Vice

For more 80′s Fashion ideas, check out our 80′s Fads & Fashion page or our 80′s Costumes Gallery in our Forums. If you have some ideas of your own that you would like to share, please post them here or send us an email!

Judas Priest’s “Farewell Tour” clarification

So Judas Priest is calling it quits. Kind of. For the record (according to the official Judas Priest website), Judas Priest are not breaking up nor are they going to stop touring altogether. They just announced that they will stop doing their “World Tours” but will consider doing special tours.

Here is the “Official Judas Priest News” from the official Judas Priest website. Pretty official, ‘eh?

Farewell Tour clarification from Judas Priest
Tuesday, June 14, 2011

We would like to clarify a situation that seems to be confusing a few people out there.

When we issued our press release to announce the farewell tour – we stated that it was the last major world tour for Judas Priest – nothing has changed – we didn’t say it was the end of the band or that we were going to retire or the band was going to break up……….. Just that it would be the last major world tour we would be doing which is still the case.

We have plans for a new album (which we have already announced in an earlier press release) plus possible future releases and we would still consider doing the odd live show – if it is something special or for a great cause – but no more world tours.

So there you have it. No more Judas Priest “World Tours” but the band isn’t breaking up. Whew! That was a close one.

T’pau ‘The Story Behind The Tracks’ promo / ad

Here is a short promo / ad for T’pau‘s ‘The Story Behind The Tracks’ CD / DVD which is only available from Gnatfish Records.

80′s Artists The Go-Go’s are back – ‘GMA’ Concert Preview

Good Morning America “GMA” takes a look back at the amazing run of the 1980′s music icons. This Friday GMA’s summer concert series continues with the original girls of summer The Go-Go’s. Set your DVR!

About The Go-Go’s

The Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made history as the first all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts.

The Go-Go’s rose to fame during the early 1980s. Their debut album, Beauty and the Beat, is considered one of the “cornerstone albums of new wave”, breaking barriers and paving the way for a host of other new American acts. When the album was released, it steadily climbed the Billboard 200 chart, ultimately reaching number one, where it remained for six consecutive weeks. The L.P. sold in excess of three million copies and reached double platinum status, making it one of the most successful debut albums ever. Considered by some to be the most successful all-female band of all time, The Go-Go’s have sold more than seven million albums.

The Go-Go’s initially consisted of Belinda Carlisle (vocals), Jane Wiedlin (guitar, vocals), Margot Olaverra (bass), and Elissa Bello (drums).

New USDA MyPlate dietary guidelines vs. food nutrition in the 1980′s

Since the USDA just recently introduced a new plate icon to replace the food pyramid, I thought it would be fun to find documentation on food and nutrition in the 1980′s. Low and behold, I found a document called “Nutrition and Your Health – Guidelines for Americans” dated February of 1980. The “Nutrition and Your Health” documentation was created by the USDA and HHS and was a set of 7 Dietary Guidelines Statements in a 20-page booklet. This became the 1st edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

With the new “MyPlate” dietary guidelines (pictured), your plate should be filled one-half with fruits and vegetables. On the other half it is suggested that you have whole grains and lean protein. And according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture you should also have a low-fat dairy on the side such as a cup of skim milk or yogurt.

On the flip side, according to the 1980 “Nutrition and Your Health” documentation, to assure ourselves of an adequate diet we should have been eating a variety of foods. However, it also states that there is no known advantages to consuming excess amounts of any nutrient. The document doesn’t have a graph or pyramid but it does list what we should have been eating in the ’80s; Fruits, Vegetables, Whole grain and enriched breads, cereals, and grain products, Milk (doesn’t say skim, 2%, etc.), cheese, yogurt, meats (doesn’t say lean), poultry, fish, eggs and something our new “MyPlate” icon doesn’t have: Legumes (dry peas and beans).

MyPyramid was released in April 2005 and replaces the Food Guide Pyramid (1992), the widely recognized nutrition education tool. Now in 2011, the USDA's MyPlate icon replaces the Food Pyramid.

Additionally, the 1980 “Nutrition and Your Health – Guidelines for Americans” document gives information on maintaining an ideal weight, avoiding too much fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, eating foods with adequate starch and fiber, avoiding too much sugar, avoiding too much sodium and drinking alcohol in moderation.

Today’s dietary guidelines are geared towards enjoying your food but eating less, avoiding oversized portions, switching to fat-free or low-fat 1% milk, comparing (and hopefully reducing) sodium in foods such as soup, bread and frozen meals. Today’s dietary guidelines also suggest drinking water instead of sugary drinks.

In this day and age of super-sizing fast food, obese children and food related illnesses, it’s nice to know the USDA is actively looking out for us, our kids and generations to come. If you are interested in becoming a USDA/CNPP National Communicators Network Partner or National Strategic Partner, visit the USDA/CNPP Nutrition Communicators Network webpage.

Sources: CNN News, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, ChooseMyPlate.gov