Bad 80’s…Good 80’s

the other night i was watching VH1 Classic…could be the best show on the tube anymore,  now that 24 has bit the dust  ( i can’t even bring myself to do a decent eulogy yet…)

anyway,  classic was playing vintage footage from the 1983 US festival from san bernardino, california.   it was an epic concert…sort of woodstock,  but only in the california heat.

while i was watching,  they played a set by triumph…one of the greatest three-piece rock bands of all-time.   i don’t think i have thought of triumph for 20 years!   even rock newbies of today know some of their songs.   just check out guitar hero.

so it got me thinking.   most people who are old enough have pretty strong feelings about the 80’s.   even youngsters have grown up listening to people talk about the 80’s.   television shows parody the 80’s.   i was a youth pastor in the 80’s…in southern california…the home of valley girls and skate punks…and they were in my youth group!

i think we should spend some time playing “Bad 80’s…Good 80’s”. it’s a game i just made up.   we’ll do it every once in a while…whenever i’m feeling nostalgic.   here’s this week’s question:

“what is one really bad band from the 80’s…and one really good band from the 80’s…in your opinion?

no genres.   no “types” of music.   name specific bands.   no lists of bands.  it would be helpful if you gave a little commentary…but not necessary.   feel free to comment more than once.

don’t be a wimp.   step up to the plate.   throw down.   everybody has an opinion on this one,  so show your colors for your favorites!   feel free to challenge people’s choices. thick skin will prevail on this post.

so i’ll start.   one of my least favorite band of the 80’s was depeche mode.   the kids in my youth group loved them…played them on their “walkmans” (cassette)…even dressed like goths before goths got popular.

pure greatness out of the 80’s was U2.   for me,  hands down,  the best band of my lifetime.   longevity,  alone,  spells their greatness.   they have played in five different decades! they have influence generations of young musicians.   absolutely amazing…

what about you?

in case you want to check out “triumph”,  here’s a clip from the US Festival, 1983.   and yes,  brandon,  i see where the bass player is standing…

#music