Another day, another midday show on 92.9 WVJS. But every one is different. Some people ask me why I love 80’s pop music so much. Like any decade, the music defines it. Like when the Challenger space shuttle was destroyed, you remember the day quite well, even down to what song you heard on the radio later that day. It can be something huge like that, or even everyday things, like you friend down the street and her little brother singing every word of “Summer of ’69” in the car on the way to church. How many of us made it a habit to spend those two hours on Saturday morning at United Skates of America (later Park Plaza Skateland) to meet friends? The thump of the MUSIC that you heard even before you came through the entrance.
Yes, the music was constant. I know a few people who are just a bit too young and probably get tired of me reminiscing about it. Everything had a song attached. Hoping that girl you were trying to capture the attention of didn’t have a skate partner for “couples and trios.” TRIOS? Yes, there were a few threesies skating around to “I Miss You” by Klymaxx for some reason. Winning a race to the music of Billy Squier. It didn’t matter that there was only one other participant. Then later on that first vehicle (with a CASSETTE deck!). That Greatest Hits tape from The Cars got a workout. 12 tapes or records for a penny? Sign me up! The first job, which in my case totally involved playing music.
What’s your decade? In that first job. I got familiar with 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, as I have mentioned in a previous post. Fans of those decades are even MORE passionate about it. The music and the memories go hand in hand. Whether you skated at the old 9th Street warehouse or on Park Plaza Drive.
Rob Nichols is the host of the Big O Morning Show on 94.7 WBIO and the Blue Star Restoration Midday Show on 92.9 WVJS.
