Eighties Blog - 1980s Retro Movies Fashion Music

I am posting today in the sad wake of Michael Jackson’s passing, an event sending emotional and cultural shock waves around the world as people react to the loss of this influential figure who has touched so many lives. Will you always remember where you were when hearing of his death? Feel free to share in the comments.

In memory of The King of Pop the Eighties Blog brings you The Jacksons: An American Dream. Originally broadcast as a two part mini-series in 1992, this five hour biography of the Jackson 5 follows Michael Jackson, his parents and siblings from their beginnings in Gary, Indiana to their rise to fame and how it affected them individually and as a family. The mini-series was very popular with fans and critics garnering high ratings and taking home an Emmy Award for the choreography and many other accolades.

The movie will play continuously and is divided in to 25 parts so you can always continue watching later.

The miniseries starred Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as the Jacksons’ father Joseph Jackson, Angela Bassett as the mother Katherine Jackson, Jason Weaver and Wylie Draper played Michael Jackson in different eras, while Bumper Robinson and Terrence Howard played Jackie Jackson in different eras, Angel Vargas played Tito Jackson, Margaret Avery as Katherine’s mother Martha Scruse, Holly Robinson-Peete as Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams as Berry Gordy and Vanessa L. Williams as Suzanne de Passe. Bumper Robinson won a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Television Movie, and Alex Burrall and Jason Weaver both won a special award for Outstanding Young Performers Starring in a Mini-Series.

Get out your neon shirts and favorite board from Schmitt Stix, Bones Brigade, Vision, Santa Cruz, Powell Peralta or Alva vintage skates and get ready to shred with this all 80s skateboarding day video. Here are the results for the Vert Challenge: Hosoi Award(biggest/best Christ Air) - Bucky Lasek, Micke Alba Award(best judo air) – Adrian Demain, Lester Kasai Award(best Beni-hana) – Tony Hawk, Ray Underhill Award(best Pop Tart) – Cara Beth Burnside, Hawk Award(biggest/best 540) – Henry Gutierrez & Sergie Ventura, Mike Smith Award(best Smith Grind) - Christian Hosoi, Jeff Phillips Award(best boneless/footplant) - Bucky Lasek, Big Air Winner - Bucky Lasek.

Music is A.D.C. Medley by the Addicts.

We all remember Arnold from Different Strokes but did you know Gary Coleman also had an animated cartoon show?  It was produced by Hanna-Barbera and aired on NBC in 1982-1983. The series featured Gary Coleman as the voice of Andy LeBeau, an apprentice angel, who was dispatched back to Earth to earn his wings by helping others. The half-hour series was based on Coleman’s 1982 made-for-TV movie The Kid with the Broken Halo. Each 30-minute episode consisted of two 15-minute segments. Thirteen 30-minute episodes were produced. In each episode, Andy was dispatched to help a child in need and resolve his problem.

Check out these great eighties movie trailers and clips. Flip through the screens for Caddyshack, Top Gun, Weird Science, Pretty in Pink, Terminator, Ghostbusters, Airplane, Bevery Hills Cop, The Goonies, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Lost Boys and many other 1980s favorite flicks. With 45 movie clips to choose from you are sure to view some gems.

Music video inspired commercial for dayglow eighties toy - Leon Neon!