I Want my MTV

The birth of a media revolution. August 1, 1981, video footage of the first Space Shuttle Launch of Columbia and it’s countdown with the added quote, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock and Roll”by John Lack, creator of MTV. Next the iconic Moon Man and the unforgettable music, “Man on the Moon (MTV Theme) by Jonathan Elias and John Petersen as we zoom into the MTV flag and watch the MTV logo change outfits in fun flashes of 1980s graphic art. Mark Goodman introduces us to the concept, “The best of tv combined with the best of radio” and promises that, “starting right now, you’ll never look at music the same way again” a quick break and introduction to the other original VJs, including Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, J.J. Jackson and Nina Blackwood. What followed was the airing of the very first music video on MTV, very aptly titled, “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. What was your favorite video?

I often think about how lucky I was to grow up in the 80s and not have the kind of access kids have these days. Part of the fun was the anticipation of waiting to see your favorite video again. There was no YouTube to pull up the video on the spot and while we have grown so accustomed to the comforts of modern technology and unlimited hi-speed access to movies, shows, music videos and any media really there was something special about waiting and hoping. I’ve written and shared before about running from the bus stop to catch a favorite video once the video countdown days started. There was finally a show that pretty much promised you’d catch your favorite video within that certain hour as long as it was on the top 20 chart. Like the story I mention, it was usually a George Michael video at the top of my list but there were so many others. Among my favorites were “Take on Me” by a-ha, my dad really loved that video and song also. Pretty much any Madonna video was a favorite for me, especially Borderline, Material Girl, Vogue, La Isla Bonita, Cherish, shoot, seriously let’s just say all of them. The funky ones like Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer”, comedic ones like Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, Prince’s Raspberry Beret was so fun and colorful, I always loved that cloud suit. Of all the videos whether 80s and 90s or current none made such an impression as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. It was more than a music video it was an experience, a Hollywood movie premier. We were so invested as a family that my dad used to wake my younger brother and I up if it came on after hours. He would come get us and let us know, “hey, get up, its on!” We sprang out of bed like it was Christmas morning and run down the hall so fast to not miss too much. We watched in awe and excitement and a bit of fear. Once the video was over it was time to go back to sleep but what cruel joke is that? It was a terrifying walk back down the hall to our bedrooms. That childhood house as small as it may have been, on these nights that short hallway seemed to go forever. With each trembling step I could still hear Vincent Price and his evil laugh ringing in my ears.

About a decade after our introduction to MTV, we were introduced to what most consider the birth of reality TV, The Real World: New York. Much more programming options to find on MTV throughout the years to follow including game shows and talk shows. Many more personalities were presented after the first five mentioned above including Kurt Loder, Downtown Julie Brown, Carson Daly, La La Anthony, Kennedy and one of my favorites because I loved seeing a Cuban American girl on my favorite channel Daisy Fuentes to name a few. Sadly, MTV shut down it’s news department earlier this year. I guess it doesn’t come as much of a surprise, MTV was the pioneer but these days I find myself watching new music videos released by VEVO on YouTube. Times, media, channels change but the interest and love for videos like Jackson, Madonna George Michael is still there for me when watching the new Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo etc video, but I still think streaming instantly isn’t as emotionally exciting as the anticipation I had as a kid in the MTV glory days. Like Dire Straits said, “I want my MTV”.

George Michael-Wham!-Faith years

October 11, 1989. I was Thirteen years old when on this most special of nights, a core memory was formed. I would see the love of my life, George Michael in concert. George Michael, live and in person on stage at San Diego Sports Arena. Not only was I infatuated with this pop icon he truly was and remains for me so much more. An enormous talent of songwriting and producing with a voice that is unmatched. Kindness and generosity that has touched so many. A real life superstar and I would witness his first solo tour. That night as I excitedly got ready in a haze of Aqua Net hairspray combined with the intoxicating scent of Exclamation perfume, I fumbled through my Caboodle and wondered whether I should wear my Wet n Wild lip gloss or the Bonnie Bell Roll-On. What would be the best choice for an unforgettable night like this? High shimmer or high gloss? Flavored? Scented? I mean this night was crucial, I was feeling so grown up and so cool! That is until I got the news. The news that the guest list for tonight’s outing had just had a very last minute change.

I was a Wham! fan from the beginning. I was in love with George Michael. I mean, obsessed might be a more accurate description but far less appropriate for a hopeful music blog writer so I’ll just go ahead and stick with LOVE, I was in LOVE. See, there I go again, the all caps are just a bit juvenile but maybe I’m transporting back as I write this. The music was my absolute favorite. From Fantastic, and Make It Big, to Music from the Edge of Heaven. When the music was fast it made me happy, made me dance. When the songs were slow they made me dream of a future love and the heartache that would most likely follow.

As I fell in love with the music of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley along with their friendship that came through so strongly. Wham! was also goofy and hilarious and not afraid to show it. There were the two heartthrobs in George and Andrew but we also had the beautiful, glamorous and funny Pepsi and Shirlie to look up to as well. All this made for a perfect combination for young kids falling in love with a band and forming their own bonds as best friends. From hanging with my older cousin Corin and listening to the more mature, “Nothing Looks the Same in the Light” to dancing and being silly with my elementary and middle school besties Susanne and Bridget. We had future married lives with George and Andrew all planned out. But my biggest fan friend, Wham! partner in crime was my cousin Andrea. Andrea and I worshipped Wham! Together we choreographed dances to their songs, actually choreography is a bit of a stretch when in actuality we just motioned the lyrics as we sang and danced in front of the mirror. To be totally honest, even saying we motioned the lyrics could be a generous way of putting it because there were a few botched lyric translations, most notably in the song “Credit Card Baby”. We were acting out a muscular body builder for the line “I guess they think that I’m a lucky guy” because we thought he was singing about being a love “big guy”. We cracked up hysterically when we realized our error and it still makes us laugh every time we bring it up. We had a whole Charlie’s Angels meets Punky Brewster faux photo shoot thing we would perform in front of my huge French provincial style bedroom set mirror. This was quite impressive because we would hold fabulous poses as we made the imaginary camera clicking sounds and all the while we were holding the door closed as my little brother, Donny tried with all his might and crazy strength to get in. There were the recording sessions of sing-alongs and more hysterical moments like getting a fart caught on tape or as we still quote,  “got it on recording!”. A few years later when “Music from the Edge of Heaven” came out with noticeably  more grown up content we would sneakily listen to the lyrics on “Battlestations” with our jaws dropped, hoping Tio Hugo wouldn’t bust us but soon enough he did. This album was like a beautiful farewell to their fans and the video for “The Edge of Heaven” was a great compilation of all the best video moments. As the song title implies, I was in Heaven. This video was my most favorite televised, video recording ever. George in his most absolute glory wearing a fringed suede jacket, singing, dancing and celebrating his fabulous run with Andrew. I was in total awe every time and those were precious occasions as these were not the days of DVR and YouTube. Andrea and I watched happily as we sat on Tia Evelyn and Tio Hugo’s couch and then it happened, Tio Hugo heard the lyric, “My daddy said the devil looks a lot like you” and he walked straight over to the television set and turned it off. This was devastating, but we barely protested. We may have questioned with tears and begged a little but we didn’t really revolt because Tio was usually a fun loving and easy going Tio so if he took this stand he meant it and we better leave well enough alone. Seriously though was he not listening to the rest of the lyrics or was that the line that put him over the edge? I was over the edge, “The Edge of Heaven”. To this day, I haven’t made it back.

One year later we were graced with the release of George Michael’s first solo album, Faith. Of course I could not get enough and my room was covered in posters, pillows, t-shirts, all the Faith merch I could get my little hands on. I lived and breathed Faith. I have a memory so vivid that I can still feel myself in that moment. When the “Faith” video came out and opened up with that jukebox in black and white and the vinyl record sound of “I Want Your Sex” playing and then transitions to the organ and then to guitar strums and boot taps of the now oh so famous, “Oh I guess it would be nice…” I was hooked. I remember running home from the school bus stop to make sure I would catch the “Faith” video on MTV’s Top 20 Video Countdown show. Once the video started slipping its way down the chart, for each slot it dropped I had to speed up my running pace to get home in time. I was desperate not to miss it and I can still feel my backpack hitting me as it violently crashed back and forth from left to right on my back as I ran down the very steep hill at full speed. On one of these days as I watched George strut his stuff in his infamous blue jeans my little brother randomly decided to walk up to the TV set and turn it off. What the heck? Had he been commiserating with Tio Hugo or something? Well, Donny wasn’t going to get the go down quietly kind of reaction from me. I'll spare you the details this time but I’m sure you’ll learn all about our WWF style encounters some day. 

The days of Faith were now in the Bridget chapter of fan friendship. Andrea was really into New Kids on the Block at this point and I really didn’t have too much time for that. When I got the most amazing news ever that my mom was buying me tickets to the Faith tour for my birthday I flipped! The tickets went on sale around my birthday and the concert itself would be held on October 11, just three days after Bridget’s birthday so she was the obvious choice for a concert partner. The age gap of three years suddenly seemed to be widening and Andrea was probably going to bring the cool factor down if she tagged along. She had started copying all my style choices lately and it was getting really annoying. I mean, it wasn’t exactly her fault when it came to the hand me downs, that was between our moms. I definitely wasn’t holding that against her but the other stuff was too much, when she picked the exact same Swatch watch I already had, well that was the final straw. I needed to go with my older, cooler school friend. My mom bought four tickets and said that two were for me and Bridget and the other two were for my older cousin Corin and whoever she wanted to bring. Corin had a license and would be chauffeur and chaperone all in one and so she should at least get to have a friend along for the night. That was all the more exciting! Bridget and I would be hanging out with two high school girls at a big concert for our favorite singer ever! My mom took me to Tia Evelyn and Tio Hugo’s house to drop me off with my cousin Corin. My heart raced with anticipation and excitement but with the announcement of a change in plans that heart of mine quickly sank. I was possibly still lightheaded from all the questionable fumes from the cosmetics chaos mere moments earlier but I swear my knees started to buckle as it was explained. Corin’s friend, Rachel was sick and unable to join us and it had been decided that Andrea would be going in her place. What happened next was like a scene straight out of a movie. Andrea came down the stairs with the biggest, silliest grin, her shiny bob bouncing with excitement that filled the room. And wait for it, I had planned my outfit very carefully, attempting to somehow match George Michael’s suspender look in his video for “Monkey”. However, in front of me stood Andrea in what she had decided was her best look for the night. It was a skirt and matching tank top with scenes of cartoon dinosaurs having fun outings of all kinds repeating randomly all over the outfit. Again, I repeat, Cartoon Dinosaurs all over. Dinos at the gas station, Dinos at the drive up diner, Dinos everywhere. How was I going to keep my cool image tonight with a baby dino cousin tagging along? You haven’t forgotten, I was going for “cool” and this new addition to the night’s squad was definitely going to cramp my style. Thankfully the music that we all loved and shared erased any silly ideas of needing to be cool. I’m sure once I stepped in there and realized how much of a baby I still was as well it all vanished and I know for sure I sang my heart out with George, Bridget, Corin and of course my ride or die George bestie, Andrea, that night. I still remember him dancing all night and running back and forth and all his energy and love he gave back to us. 

This isn’t the last George story and there’s plenty more with my fellow fan club member cousins and besties but I can’t end without saying that the little Dino dress wearing kid who used to copy me from toys to watches is now the woman I would copy most if I could when it comes to fashion, she is the most fashionable person I know. Hers is the closet I raid if I’m ever in desperate need of a last minute wardrobe rescue. She’s the one who gives me the amazing hand me downs these days and her daughter to mine and she’s still the one that shares the couch with me most often on a George Michael video watching and sing-along session. I still hold the card for biggest George fan though. After her NKOTB phase she moved on to N’SYNC and then Justin Timberlake so….

 Stay tuned for more chapters to our adventures with George, much much more where that came from. 

The Go-Go’s

I was only 3 years old when the band was formed but by the time I was 6 or 7 they were one of my very favorites. A kick ass all girl rock band!! Yes, there had been all girl duos and trios going way back in our beloved Motown and Oldies music collection but an all girl band actually playing the instruments out touring with punk rock artists and holding their own while they shred on guitar and bass and pound on drums. So epic and so influential to little girls watching. Growing up in the 80s I was lucky to have Wonder Woman on my television set and The Go-Go’s in my Walkman. Luckier still, I had a big cousin to look up to as well. 

For me, it was my big cousin, Corin. Actually I was lucky with many amazing older and younger cousins to grow up and learn with, have fun with, get into trouble with. No shortage of wonderful family but during these oh so formative years, I was awed by everything that my cousin Corin represented. Corin was so cool, she was everything I wanted to be one day. Her cool clothes, makeup, room, friends, boyfriends, she had it all. She was like a character ripped right out of a John Hughes’ movie and I was obsessed with her. I wanted to copy all she had going on and for some reason she didn’t treat me like the annoying little cousin like most older cousins would have. Corin let me tag along and wear her clothes, listen to music with her, go for rides with her. On one occasion, I almost made it out to a high school party with her! I was SO CLOSE, until my dad caught wind and stopped me literally right in my tracks on the way out. One time when I was in middle school and being harassed on the daily by girls that had just been good friends the previous month, Corin picked me up from school and drove me past the mean girls’ bus stop with bass pumping and an intimidating few turn backs to make it known I had back up. Thank Goodness that plan worked because I have no clue what we would have followed up with if it hadn’t. The drive by stare down was the heaviest hit, the strongest hand in our deck of all bluffs. 

Corin’s clothes and makeup were ever evolving, there were so many influences: Madonna, The Go-Go’s, Prince, Thompson Twins, Flock of Seagulls, ok kidding about that last one but definitely the Robert Smith hair and eyeliner was popular for a good while with her and the other cousins and friends and they rocked it. Times were so different for kids their age, they were so edgy and mature. The high school actually had a smoking section and it was a sea of black clothes, big sprayed up hair and eyeliner for days. The Go-Go’s look was a favorite of mine. I remember thinking Belinda Carlisle reminded me so much of Corin. The cool girl dance moves, the independent female, total rockstar. I used to practice my dance moves in the mirror and play all my favorite tapes, I loved those tapes.  I never got over losing my purse during a family outing in Old Town. Inside was my holy grail of girl bands collection: The Go-Go’s, The Bangles and Bananarama. All in one purse, all gone at once! I was devastated. Not only did I practice the moves I wanted to dress like Corin and Belinda so bad. Our Honduran grandmother, Tita used to come to visit and bring suitcases full of little gifts. Mostly cheap, useless, probably broken things, maybe some candy but whatever it was didn’t matter. It was so exciting to be next to her when she unzipped that suitcase on the bed you would be sharing with her during the next month or however long before you got moved because you kicked her all night with your tossing and turning. I remember everything smelling like stinky Honduran cheese and covered in broken rosquilla crumbs. Our dads would be so happy as they had long awaited to dunk these hard rings of dough into a cup of strong coffee, our mothers on the other hand, would have to clean the mess and find a temporary spot for the silly souvenirs or pretend they didn’t notice if one of their gifts to her were now in the re gift pile. How I miss those visits, along with the wacky stories of her trek from either Chicago or Tegucigalpa. Like the time TSA thought she had a bomb in her bag because she had a ticking gum ball machine she brought for one of us, which I now know had just made it to second inspection but of course that was much more rare an occurrence back in the pre 9/11 days. Next there was the complaint heard each and every arrival, flying Southwest meant they only gave her a measly bag of peanuts and she made sure everyone knew it. Every. Single. Time. We asked her how the flight was and her scripted reply in Spanglish would always be, “puras peanas”, again, only peanuts. Tita loved to shop and one time during one of our outings she saw me admiring a very cool skirt. It was definitely giving Belinda Carlisle, Susanna Hoffs vibes and I was loving it. Tita bought me the skirt and I was so excited. I was going to go straight home and take that skirt for a wild spin in my room with ‘We Got the Beat’ blaring in my ears. Well in typical Tita fashion, I had to wait for my dance party because somehow we got separated and the skirt didn’t come with me. I figured I’d get it later but nope. Who knows how much longer it took to be reunited with the skirt but one day I found it stretched and faded. I think it went through at least three other cousins before it got to Corin’s drawer and I laid eyes on it again. It was a fair trade for all the times Corin let me feel included and shared her things with me. 

As time has passed and responsibilities increase we have less time for the epic Solid Gold type dance lines we used to have with Corin, her big sister, Gina and her amazing MC Hammer pants, and little sister Andrea. Sometimes our cousins Marlene and Arlette were also in town and we would all goof off together. We have seen each other grow through many beautiful and hard things. Corin still comes through for me and for everyone. She is the number one supporter (excluding grandparents, of course) of my kid’s events and theatrical performances and that is saying a lot because there are many loyal fans in this family. One year, my oldest daughter danced in a skit we made up for her elementary school variety show. We titled it ‘Dancing through the Decades’ and it consisted of each child in the skit dancing for about 30 seconds to a song from a specific decade and Isabel wanted the 80s so we chose ‘We Got the Beat’ for her to dance to and I was so excited to teach her some moves. We watched Belinda Carlisle in her old The Go-Go’s videos. We still crack up thinking about how she did about four moves and repeated them over and over until her turn was over. I was excited for Corin to see it. 

Just before Covid hit, I was all set to go see the musical, Head Over Heels which was set to play at Diversionary Theatre. I love organizing outings with my friends and family and was looking forward to this one and told Corin first because she was going to be the “has to be there” guest and I’d need to see what date worked for her before planning the night. You can all guess what happened to that season. Thankfully, it looks like the show has been added to the Spring season in 2023. I will definitely be planning one of my signature themed parties and group field trips to the theatre. Luckily for all of us we don’t have to wait for 2023 to see this amazing show. Head Over Heels is currently playing at San Diego Junior Theatre and my daughter, Maya just so happens to be a dancer in the fabulous show. 

Head Over Heels the Musical is a jukebox musical featuring The Go-Go’s and Belinda Carlisle music. Think Shakespeare meets the 80s. The show is hysterical while simultaneously delivering beautiful and wonderful messages about love, feminism, forgiveness and important representation for LGBTQIA, and especially for our nonbinary friends. From the Broadway licensing page: “A hilarious celebration of love, Head Over Heels follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction - only to discover the key to their realm’s survival lies within each of their own hearts.”  

Songs by The Go-Go’s, Based upon The Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney

Conceived and original book by Jeff Whitty, Adapted by James Magruder

https://broadwaylicensing.com/shows/broadway/head-over-heels/

SDJT has done a fantastic job with this production. Directed by Blake McCarty, Music Direction by Ian Brandon, Choreography by Ricardo Valenzuela, Costumes by Tammy Molenaar 

Do yourself a favor and check out this wonderful show. You won’t be able to contain yourself and you’ll be bopping and singing to all the old favorites. It was seriously had to keep from being the disruptive fan and belt out ‘Vacation’, ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’, Head Over Heels’ and more!

For tickets and/or more information:

https://juniortheatre.com/shows/head-over-heels-2022/

For tickets and/or more information of the Diversionary Theatre production:

https://www.diversionary.org/head-over-heels

Rat Pack and a Sidekick

No matter the generation, I’m sure we all have our fair share of experience enjoying the Rat Pack. If not the whole gang at least Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Frank Sinatra is by far the most famous and Ol’ Blue Eyes is at the center of many of my childhood memories but this story is about another one of the members of the Rat Pack. Actually, it's about one of the other member’s sidekicks. As much as I loved Sinatra, I always really gravitated toward Dean Martin songs. He’s still a regular on my rotation. Having fallen in love with Dino, I couldn’t help but become a fan of Jerry Lewis. I loved that duo and they have definitely brought me many laughs. I especially like to play the song 'That Certain Party' for my kids when we are feeling super silly. Jerry Lewis was so much fun to watch with his crazy facial expressions, outrageous slapstick and surely exhausting physical comedic stunts. His own movies such as The Nutty Professor, Cinderfella and more were unforgettable but it was his work as spokesman for Muscular Dystrophy Association that I thought of first when I heard the news of his passing.

I'll never forget the feeling I had when I received my first Cabbage Patch Kid doll. I had dreamt of what she would look like if I was lucky enough to ever get one. Everyone had or desperately wanted one it seemed when I was a kid in the 80's. My Tia Evelyn had a sister who worked at Kmart and with that came the early access to new shipments. I got lucky and had an aunt with an "in"! There was talk of the doll coming soon and then the day came, we got the call. Tia Evelyn was on her way to my house with the doll. I had a major freak out and couldn't take the excitement! I remember running up and down the hall with a blanket over my head because I ... actually I don't know why, that part is just weird but I vividly remember doing it. I was half laughing, half crying with anticipation of meeting my new baby.

*side story: I was later told that my mom and Tia Evelyn had seen the dolls when they were stacked high on shelves of a store and picked them up, actually had them in their hands and said something like, "Man, these are ugly. Who would want these?"  and set them back down.

I opened my box and was in heaven with the intoxicating smell of my "beautiful" Roxy. Blonde side pony, green eyes, one tooth, Xavier Roberts signature on the hiney.

Roxy had everything a baby could need. I got her a diaper bag, stroller, come to think of it I never got the playpen, I thought I was getting it for Christmas one year but that ended up being for my cousin Andrea, heartbreak. Roxy was my sidekick, I brought her everywhere. All my friends and cousins at all our sleepovers and parties always had their Cabbage Patch Dolls. We were like our own Raggamuffin Rat Pack crew with our sidekicks. Most kids’ CPK doll collections started to grow and about a year later I decided it was time for Roxy to get a baby brother. Unfortunately, I was told something to the effect that those silly dolls were too expensive. I’d have to start saving my own money and so I did. The night before I was set to go buy a new Cabbage Patch Kid I ended up in front of the television after dinner.  Watching the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon, it didn't take long before I was bawling crying and dialing the number on the screen and pledging all my doll money, I believe I had $60. I remember that I didn't feel an ounce of regret or remorse for giving away every penny I had saved.

News traveled to another aunt, my Godmother, Tia Marita. She was proud of me and wanted to reward me for what I had done so she bought me a boy Cabbage Patch baby. He was perfect. He had a bald head, blue velvet overalls with a little grey elephant on the left side of his chest. I couldn’t wait to introduce him to his big sister Roxy and complete our family. I opened the envelope to read his birth certificate and his name was…….. Jerry.