Summary

The website content is a personal retrospective on the author's favorite music from the 1980s, with a nod to a standout track from 1977, reflecting on the impact of these songs and the experiences surrounding them.

Abstract

The author, Susie Kearley, reminisces about the 1980s music scene, which played a significant role in her teenage years. She shares her love for heavy rock, her transformation into a goth, and the rebellious nature of her youth, all tied to the music of that era. Key moments include her infatuation with Alice Cooper's "Poison," her dream of marrying Jon Bon Jovi, and the thrill of attending concerts by bands like Iron Maiden and Fields of the Nephilim. Despite some negative experiences, such as her friend being pulled from a crowd and having to leave an Iron Maiden concert early, the music of the '80s left an indelible mark on her life. The article also pays homage to a late DJ, Kosmik Ken, who was instrumental in shaping her musical journey.

Opinions

The author has a strong nostalgia for the music of the 1980s, considering it her favorite era for music.
Alice Cooper's "Poison" is highlighted as a mind-blowing track that the author adored, despite her father's disapproval and ban from the pub where she first heard it.
Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" is remembered fondly, as the author harbored a teenage fantasy of marrying the lead singer.
Meat Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell," though released in 1977, was significant to the author in the late 1980s, leading to an affection for the artist and a brief fling with someone nicknamed "Meatloaf."
Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" is praised for its haunting style and great guitar work.
Fields of the Nephilim's "Moonchild" is described as weird and mysterious, appealing to the author's tastes.
The Sisters of Mercy, Kiss, Def Leppard, and Whitesnake are also listed among the author's favorite bands from that period.
The author expresses concern about current health issues

A Trip Back to the 1980s, with some of My Favourite Songs

And one from 1977

Fields of the Nephilim in London © Susie Kearley

The 1980s was my favourite year for music. It was when I discovered heavy rock, made new friends, played loud music, became a goth, and annoyed my dad. A lot. Here are some of my favourite music tracks. Perhaps you can remember some of the best music from the decade too!

Me with friends from the pub — image by author

1989 — Alice Cooper Released Poison

This song by Alice Cooper blew my mind. I loved the rifts. Loved the shock-horror theatrics, and I rocked heavy down at the pub. That was until my dad banned me from going to the pub because I was 15 years old, and he didn’t like the look of the Hells Angels that hung around outside.

I did go back eventually though, because all my friends were there and I was miserable without it. It was a battle. That’s another story.

1986 — Bon Jovi released Livin’ on a Prayer

I was going to marry this guy. Except that I never actually met him. You know how that goes when you’re 15.

I went to see Bon Jovi at Milton Keynes Bowl in 1989, supported by Europe, and still remember the girlies screaming ‘Joey!’ when the singer of Europe came on. Sadly I lost my friend, who got pulled out of the crush near the front, so that took the edge off the concert a bit. Apart from that, it was perfect.

1977 — Meatloaf released Bat Out of Hell

OK. It’s not 1980s, but I didn’t discover this music until the late 1980s, so it was 1980s to me. Then I became addicted to Meatloaf, and Bon Jovi, and hot long haired guys. I had a brief fling with a lad who they called Meatloaf because he bore a distinct resemblance to the singer. ‘Hot’ was probably an over-statement in his case, though.

1988 — Iron Maiden released Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

This album introduced me to Iron Maiden in the late 1980s. It blew my mind. Great guitar and I love the haunting style. I saw Iron Maiden perform at Wembley Arena years later. The seat was so far back I reckoned I might as well have just bought the video! Shame. We missed the end because they confiscated our belts and I had to nip out early to retrieve them, so we could get the last train!

1988 — Fields of the Nephilim released Moonchild

I discovered this band when Woolworths were selling off tapes in their sale. I bought the album for 99p and loved it! I saw them live — twice in London and once in Aylesbury. It’s so weird and mysterious, which really appealed.

Other great music

I also enjoyed The Sisters of Mercy, Kiss, Def Leppard (below), and Whitesnake! Now I’ve got ear problems and am scared of covid, so I don’t envisage going to more concerts in the foreseeable future. But they screened Glatonbury on the TV this year and that was a blast.

A tribute to the DJ

Here’s a tribute film to Kosmik Ken, the DJ who used to do the rock nights at the pub I went to when I was 15–17. He died a few years ago. A very eccentric guy who smoked too much, drank too much and popped his clogs in his mid 60s! But hey, at least he enjoyed his life.

Images embedded from YouTube in accordance with the YouTube licence.