Monday 4 December 2017

DAVID LEE ROTH | VAN HALEN FASHION

DAVID LEE ROTH FRONTMAN FOR VAN HALEN WAS A FASHION ICON


When you think fashion and 80s you've gotta have some pictures of David Lee Roth flashing through that old brain of yours.
I like how the girls coordinate with his suit.

The skin tight pants, often in a rainbow of neon colours.
Wow, that is what I call colourful!

Tassles and tassles to add movement to the fabrics.


What kind of fabric is that!?
 Stripes of all kinds. Maybe even some furried booties!


The whole crew was into full body matching suits - rock on !
  Or maybe you forgot about the booties and just remembered the tiger wear?


Roar before Katy Perry did it!


Not even sure how to describe this crotch protecting shirt.

The eyes, they travel...they follow the lines of the shirt. I can't help it!

I do appreciate his fancy white gloves...

Spandex suit with gloves. I bet he was sweatin.


Those gloves go with all kinds of outfits.

Now, that is more classy!

Even the lack of clothing was on trend at the time. As long as you were wearing a hat, right?

You know what they say about a big hat...

Personally, I still sport the muscle shirt with the cute saying on it.


But, David's fashion choices did have a practical purpose. Most of those outfits were stretchy, so he could jump and kick while performing to the songs.


Ouch!

The lack of shirt must have allowed DLR to open that diaphram and really sing those unforgettable lyrics and the oohs and aahs to go with them. 




Enough of David - check out some previous Van Halen Memes: http://80sthrowbackparty.blogspot.ca/2017/05/van-halen-dump.html




















Monday 27 November 2017

CHRISTOPHER CROSS NOT KRIS KROSS

CHRIS CROSS NOT KRIS KROSS

Christopher Cross was that 80s singer of 'Sailing'...you know, "sailing, take me away...". It was labelled 'Adult Contemporary', but, for me it was still awesome. Don't trust labels I say.

Apparently 'sailing' was inspired, literally, by sailing trips Chris would go on with his teenage friend. He jokes that he could have written a song called "Bowling", if he had went bowling instead of sailing. Thank goodness for his sailboat wielding friend eh?

Cool guitar Christopher Cross

What I loved was in his Sailing video he wore that football jersey. Not as concerned about fashion as his 90s counterparts Kris Kross!

Kris Kross was that 90s hip hop kid duo with hits like Jump (Kris Kross 'll make ya Jump Jump!"), Warm it up Kris, I missed the Bus...yes, I had the cassette and almost wore the thing out playing it over and over and over on my burgundy ghettoblaster! 
Oh, and Kriss Kross also had a particular style -they wore their clothes backwards, that was kind of their thing. And, if you want an easy throwback 90s party costume idea - just wear clothes backwards and call yourself Chris.


Kris Kross style clothing - aka backwards


I know there is a decade in between Christopher Cross's debute into stardom (1980) and Kris Kross's hit debut album (1991), but, there still seems to be some confusion amongst those dang millennials.



Heck, even Chris Cross and Kris Kross get mixed up with Chris Columbus (not the movie director)!



I hate to admit it, but, I have more connection to Kriss Kross and their jumping, warming up, and missin' the bus. Sorry 80s fans I'm one of those damn GenXers (there's the labels again!)















Monday 20 November 2017

QUESTIONABLE 80S SONG LYRICS

SOME LYRICS GIVE ME THE CREEPS

There are a handful of 80s songs that , if you really listen to the lyrics, sound like the artist needs to:
A) get a life
B) get back into reality
3) Have a restraining order placed on them.


 Let's start with Dan Hartman - That awesome 80s song "I CAN DREAM ABOUT YOU". A 'love song' if you may? But, think about it. "I can dream about you, if I can't hold you tonight"...what if the  girl he wants does not want him. It is like a weird threat - you won't be with me!? No problem, I'll have you in my dreams! Creepy!


Dan Harman getting ready for sleepy time...will you be in his dream tonight?


The real Dan Harman!


Just adding a bit of mysticism makes it even creepier!

Tommy Tutone's hit song JENNY aka 867-5309, now that song makes me question the song writer. Tommy finds a phone number scribbled on the wall in the men's room. He fantasises about who this Jenny is. He tries to call on numerous occations, but, gets all nervous. Man, this dude has some big problems!?


Maybe, but, probably more like a nerdy guy who has girl phobia

Speaking of relationship problems, how about Rick Springfield. What I get from that song JESSIE'S GIRL is that he knows some dude named Jessie and is pining over his girl...we never know her name, he just refers to her as 'girl' (nice Rick). It's like two toddlers in a sandbox and Rick wants Jessie's toy. Instead of going out and finding a 'girl' for himself, Rick just obsesses over Jessie's girl. Wishing over and over that he 'had her'. It is very objectifying and weird!


This screams 'marking territory'


Jessie's nameless girl is just a trophy...very sad.


I feel Springfield has something against Jessie

Kind of like The Cars song BEST FRIEND'S GIRL. They sing all about having a giant crush on their best friend's girl. Why do that to your 'bestie' man?


I wouldn't want you as my best friend - you'd steal my girl!

Then there is ESCAPE by Rupert Holmes. The ultimate messed up relationship song. The guy is sitting there reading the personal ads in bed while his wife is sleeping beside him! He decides she is not new and shiny enough so he responds to this personal ad from a fun sounding chick. Well, doesn't it turn out that cool sounding fox is actually his 'old lady'! They meet up at a bar to 'escape' their worn out relationships and realize...whoops, that personal ad was actually my wife/husband. They have a little chuckle and drink some champagne. Then go home and make love at midnight and NOT do yoga. Now, that is messed up!



I predict divorce in four years


Hopefully, they just laughed together and solved all of their problems


What? Did they then both clap their hands?



Then there is the songs that make you feel sad for the guy...Example, Joe Jackson's IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM. The poor guy is staring out the window watching all the other dudes in town taking ladies on dates and such, while he wallows away in his apartment repeating sad mantras to himself about how much of a loser he is. All the while thinking, why are those guys gettin' the girls? UM, maybe you just need to go out and talk to a lady Joe!


You do Joe, you do look smooth!


Joe go Steppin' Out and meet that girl of your dreams!

MISUNDERSTOOD LYRICS OF BILLY SQUIRE'S HIT STROKE.

Monday 13 November 2017

THE HAIR OF HAIR BANDS

80s HAIRBANDS

The huge hair of the 80s was, literally, everywhere! It was so big! The poor ozone never stood a chance. It was bigger than big in the heavy metal scene, where it seemed, if you were a rock band you had gigantic hair...and usually some spandex pants to go with the hair.

Not only did Autograph Turn Up the Radio, they turned up the volume on their hair and on stage outfits! Nice stitching Rod!


Autograph asked us to Turn Up the Radio
If I had to guess I'd say this next pic was a group of overage dudes doing a very, very, good job of dressing like an 80s hairband...but, I could be wrong. As you'll see, some of the outfits looked so bad they were good. If you know what I mean?


80s Hairband
Like this pic of Cinderella...luckily, we don't know what we've got till it's gone. Personally, I'm glad this look is gone. I mean think of all the time I wasted puffin' my hair up like that!


Cinderalla gave the princess a run for best hair

Def Leppard's style wasn't Hysteria, but, more tame. Still fairly big hair, but, at least the one guy is wearing a suit jacket (from a cruise line maybe?)


Def Leppard tamed the tiger and their hair


Combining big, huge, out of this world hair, with big, huge, out of this world outfits, was all the rage for awhile. And, the crue that pulled it off the best, IMO, was Motley Crue. I bet those outfits drove the Girls, Girls, Girls, cray cray.
Motley Crue doing the due!


Ooh that Motley Crue looked so studly...b/c of all the studs in their clothing

Speaking of Girls, Girls, Girls. There was that trend of bands making themselves up to look like Girls, Girls, Girls. Can't really remember what the reason was at this point - times have changed so much that it isn't rebellious to do that anymore.


Even a fake mascara mole above the lip...nice

I used to give roses to my lady friends, even though Every Rose Has its Thorns. But, what I could never pull off was the lady look that Poison hits bullseye in this pic. I don't remember Poison ever looking like this, I remember the leather. The hair was the same of course.


Poison pulling off the big hair girly look....cute


This band hits all the right notes with the hair, the headbands, the cat print tighty pants...ah back in the day, they were Back Alright, but, not that far. The Backstreet Boys do a great job of interpreting the fashion of the 80s metal band. They fooled me when I was looking through pinterest.


Backstreet boys tricked me into believing they were an 80s rock n roll sensation


I believe this is Mark Slaughter of Slaughter looking kind of feminin...interesting wrist guards. Yes, that's what I was what drew my eyes, his wrist guard thingy...thingies.


Poodle hair


There is enough make up in this pic to make your eyes spin Round and Round. RATT wins for best permed hair that's for sure.


RATT kept many a hair stylist busy during their run in the 80s


A close second in the permed hair band is Ozzy and his band of misfits. Interesting choice of trousers guys?


Classic rock look bang on

Speaking of trousers, these pants will Rock You Like A Hurricane if you stare at them too long. Take the time to look up and appreciate the effort the Scorpions put into their top/vests/jacket choices.


Scorpions and their Big City Nights look

Now, if you really want some advice on a nice place to get an authentic 80s jacket, talk to your wing man - Winger. These hairy rockin' dudes (look at the height of that one guys hair!) can sure rock a custom designed leather jacket! Exclusive!!!


Any one of these dudes could be my wingman for a night


And, if you are looking for something with more tassles, call up Whitesnake. These equally hair-full dudes can probably direct you to a great suede stylist or maybe even a skinny tie making shop? Quick question - are those jeans hurting you?


Whitesnake obviously took pride in their big hair


If you are more the timeless leather jacket and jeans kind of guy then Skid Row is for you. They are probably still wearing the same clothes thirty years later...I hope they trimmed off some of the hair or at least used some sort of hair taming styling product.


Skid Row put time into their hair and music, not the latest fashion trends
Warrant is probably still looking for that Cherry Pie in their all leather outfits. I don't know about you but when I think of wearing really tight leather pants, a leather vest, NO shirt, and cowboy boots I think, dang I want to grow my mega hair and puff it all up real big like.


There should be a Warrant out for how cool these dudes look

I'll leave you all with this image. Yes, it is real. No, you have probably not heard of Stryper...I think they were just a little ahead of their time. At least fashion wise. Didn't they sing that song Queen Bee!?





For more great 80s fashion critiques check out this post - http://80sthrowbackparty.blogspot.ca/2017/02/the-flock-of-seagulls-hairstyle.html