Monthly Archives: November 2011

1983, Artists, Music, One-Hit Wonders

One Hit Wonders of the ’80s: 1983 – Kajagoogoo

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“Too Shy” by Kajagoogoo

“Too Shy” was the first single released off of Kajagoogoo’s debut album, White Feathers in 1983. The song was a worldwide hit. It peaked at #5 in the U.S. on July 9, 1983. The song was produced by Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran and Colin Thurston, who had produced Duran Duran’s first two albums. Follow-up singles “Ooh to Be Aah” and “Hang on Now” also both reached the UK Top 20, but they did not chart in the U.S.

Tensions rose in the band, which led to them losing lead singer Limahl. The band’s bass player, Nick Beggs took over lead singing duties. Their next two albums weren’t as successful as their debut album. Then drummer Jez Strode left the band. In 1985 the remaining three members relaunched as Kaja in the UK in 1985. But they were not very successful, and the band broke up in 1986.

However, that was not the end of Kajagoogoo. In 2003, VH1 persuaded the band to reform the original 5-piece band for the show, Bands Reunited. As a result of the show, the band received offers to work as their original five piece band. But, their were too many disagreements regarding the terms on which they could work together. But, in 2007, Nick Beggs, guitarist Steve Askew and keyboardist Stuart Neale decided to continue the Kajagoogoo reunion, releasing the single “Rocket Boy” in June 2007. The single received airplay on Steve Wright’s BBC Radio 2 show in the UK, and a new album, Gone to the Moon, was scheduled for release on the Spectra Records label later on that year. However, the album was postponed and in February 2008, the three Kajagoogoo members announced plans to reunite with original members singer Limahl and drummer Jez Strode.

The band has been recording and touring ever since. So, who knows if the band can strike it big in the U.S.? In the meantime, here is their only U.S. hit so far – “Too Shy”:

Daily Trivia (Formerly Trivia Tuesday), Sports

Daily Trivia: 11/30/11

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Question: How many seasons did Benson air on ABC?

A. 5 seasons
B. 7 seasons
C. 8 seasons
D. 9 seasons

Last Question: What type of geek did pro wrestling manager Fred Blassie immortalize in song?

Answer: A pencil neck geek


Early in his career, the “The Fashion Plate of Professional Wrestling”, “Classy” Freddie Blassie was himself a wrestler. His heyday was in the 60s and early 70s. In 1974, he had to retire from active wrestling due to a California law that prohibited anyone over 55 from getting a wrestling license. He went on to become a manager in the World Wide Wrestling Federation and its subsequent incarnation the World Wrestling Federation.

Blassie had managed wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan (when Hogan was a bad guy), The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, Adrian Adonis and Jesse “The Body” Ventura.
Here is an edition of Piper’s Pit with guests, “Classy” Freddie Blassie with his team of Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik:

Freddie Blassie retired in 1986, but made brief appearances at some events and in video packages. His final wrestling appearance was May 12, 2003 in Philadelphia, PA on Monday Night Raw, three weeks before his death:

He died of heart and kidney failure at the age of 85 on June 2, 2003.

In addition to be involved in wrestling, Freddie Blassie recorded voiceovers for songs that appeared on the Dr. Demento Radio Show (where Weird Al got his start). In 1983, Rhino Records released a 14 track album by Blassie, titled I Bite the Songs, which included one of the previous Dr. Demento songs – “Pencil Neck Geek”.

Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song? – 11/30/11

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Can you name the artist and song:

It’s a nice day to start again

Last Song: “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston:

I’ve done alright up till now
Its the light of day that shows me how
And when the night falls the loneliness calls

1983, Artists, Music, One-Hit Wonders

One Hit Wonders of the ’80s: 1983 – Frida

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“I Know There’s Something Going On” by Frida

Although this was Frida Lyngstad’s only solo hit, she had scored some other hits when she was with a little group called ABBA.

In 1982 ABBA was on an unofficial break, only for it to become a permanent break. During this “break”, Frida recorded her first solo album called Something’s Going On, which was produced by Phil Collins. “I Know There’s Something Going On” was the lead single from the album, and Phil Collins played drums and sang backup on the track. The song became a worldwide smash hit. In the U.S., it peaked at #13 on March 26, 1983.

Frida’s next album was the experimental Shine, which was released in 1984. Very rarely does “experimental” and “smashing success” appear together. And this is no exception.

Frida gradually recorded less and less, and has not had another hit. But, she had a great career with ABBA, and had great success with her one hit, “I Know There’s Something Going On”:

Daily Trivia (Formerly Trivia Tuesday), Movies

Daily Trivia: 11/29/11

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Question: What type of geek did pro wrestling manager Fred Blassie immortalize in song?

Last Question: What historical character did the Go-Go’s Jane Wiedlin play in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure?

Answer: Joan of Arc

Here is Jane in action, getting picked up by Bill and Ted, and then hijacking an aerobics class in he San Dimas mall:

Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song? – 11/29/11

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Can you name the artist and song:

I’ve done alright up till now
Its the light of day that shows me how
And when the night falls the loneliness calls

Last Song: “King of Wishful Thinking” by Go West:

I’ll get over you.. I know I will
I’ll pretend my ship’s not sinking
And I’ll tell myself I’m over you
’cause I’m the King of Wishful Thinking

1983, Music, One-Hit Wonders

One Hit Wonders of the ’80s: 1983 – Thomas Dolby

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“She Blinded Me With Science” by Thomas Dolby

“She Blinded Me With Science” was a smash hit off of British musician, Thomas Dolby’s debut album The Golden Age of Wireless. It peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard charts on May 14, 1983. In 2006, VH1 placed it at #76 on their list of “Greatest Songs of the ’80s.” Then, in 2009, it ranked #13 on VH1’s 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s.

Although the song was a hit in the U.S. and Canada, it did not chart as high in the U.K. However, his song “Hyperactive”, from Dolby’s second album, The Flat Earth, peaked at #17 in the U.K., but did not chart in the U.S. Dolby did not have another hit song in the U.S.

However, Dolby continued recording music for several years. In October 2011, Dolby released his first album since 1992 – A Map of the Floating City. It is a unique project. The album’s concept, set in an alternate history, is accompanied by a web-based social networking game.

In a 2010 press release he was quoted as saying:

“I marvel at the new landscape of the music business – distribution via the Internet and recording technologies I barely dreamed of when I started out,” he continues. “But this album does not sound electronic at all. I have zero desire to add to the myriad of machine-based, synth-driven grooves out there. The Net has made a music career approachable for thousands of bands – but I hear too few single-minded voices among them. What I do best is write songs, tell stories.” “The new songs are organic and very personal,” says Dolby. “This album is a travelogue across three imaginary continents. In Amerikana I’m reflecting with affection on the years I spent living in the USA, and my fascination with its roots music. Urbanoia is a dark place, a little unsettling…I’m not a city person. And in Oceanea I return to my natural home on the windswept coastline.

Thomas Dolby has always been slightly ahead of his time, as is evident with his hit song, “She Blinded Me With Science”:

Daily Trivia (Formerly Trivia Tuesday), Television

Daily Trivia: 11/28/11

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Question: What historical character did the Go-Go’s Jane Wiedlin play in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure?

Last Question: What series saw Dabney Coleman’s egocentric character propose marriage with: “You’re better than 90 percent of the bimbos out there”?

Answer: Buffalo Bill

Buffalo Bill aired from 1983-1984, and starred Dabney Coleman as “Buffalo” Bill Bittinger, an egotistical talk show host. The series also starred Geena Davis, and Joanna Cassidy (who went on to win a Golden Globe award for her role as Jo Jo White). Former NBC President Brandon Tartikoff wrote in his memoirs that his biggest professional regret was canceling the show.

Artists, Music, Remember That Song?

Remember That Song? – 11/28/11

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Can you name the artist, song, and complete the lyrics:

I’ll get over you.. I know I will
I’ll pretend my ship’s not sinking
And I’ll tell myself I’m over you
’cause ___ ___ ____ __ _______ ________

Last Song: “Holiday” by Madonna:

Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be, it would be so nice