Music Blogs

This year marks the end of a decade. Not the ’00s but the ’80s. It was nearly 20 years ago that the ’80s ended. That’s right, ENDED. Not began. The ’80s are officially old. Our kids see that decade as we saw our parents’ decade, the ’60s. The ’80s are now our ’60s. Live Aid, Flock of Seagulls, shoulder pads, and “Footloose” are all now a part of our collective geezer fairytale.

So as you purchase your tickets for that “Totally ’80s” package concert and listen to your “Oh My God, It’s the ’80s” radio all weekend, here are some tales of ’80s icons who are still alive and kicking. (If you get that pun, you're from the ’80s.)

PHOTO GALLERY: See what these '80s artists look like NOW.

COREY HART

Then: The Canadian singer had a Top 10 hit in 1984 with “Sunglasses at Night.” He followed it with ten more charting singles before getting the ’90s boot from a new generation of artists who didn’t wear sunglasses or gel their hair.

Now: Hart did a 2002 remix of “Sunglasses at Night” with Canadian electronic group Original 3. Sadly, it didn't bring back his ’80s glory. Hart now lives in the sunnier Bahamas with his family and writes for other artists, including fellow Canadian Celine Dion.

BELINDA CARLISLE

Then: As lead singer for the Go-Go’s, Carlisle was the darling of early MTV with iconic videos like “Vacation” and “We Got the Beat.” Of her bandmates she’s had the most successful career, which included the ’87 #1 solo single “Heaven is a Place on Earth.”

Now: The Go-Go’s have joined the ’80s oldies circuit and Carlisle is a self-proclaimed Buddhist. Having struggled with her weight most of her public life, she's now a spokesperson for NutriSystem. She's also in the studio working on a new record — maybe with Valerie Bertinelli, but I can't confirm that.

BANANARAMA

Then: Friends since childhood, Bananarama broke into the ’80s with the help of former Sex Pistols Steve Jones and Paul Cook. The trio was the thinking-man’s ’80s version of the Spice Girls. They were also the love of gay men everywhere thanks their “Venus” video, which was populated with a bunch of half-naked, sweaty dudes.

Now: The three ’ramas are now two. Siobhan Fahey left the group in ’88, married Eurythmics mastermind Dave Stewart (they split in ’96), and started the group Shakespears Sister. One of the remaining girls, Keren Woodward is shacked up with fellow ’80s veteran Andrew Ridgeley (Wham!). Now, that’s a reality show waiting to be produced.

HUEY LEWIS

Then: With his band, the News, Lewis ruled the middle of the road in the ’80s with songs like “Heart of Rock & Roll,” “Workin’ for a Livin’,” and “I Want a New Drug.” Lewis later sued Ray Parker Jr. over “Ghostbusters” for its similarities to that last song. The two settled out of court (are you reading this, Coldplay?).

Now: Always a ham in his music videos, Lewis is now a full-fledged actor with parts in the film “Duets” (with Mrs. Coldplay, Gwyneth Paltrow), the TV show “Just Shoot Me!,” and the Broadway play “Chicago.” And, of course, he brings out the News for the occasional show so they can pay their rent.

GARY NUMAN

Then: Electronic music and keytar pioneer Gary Numan had a #1 U.K. hit (#9 in U.S.) with “Cars.” Ironically, the song, which was notable for its complete absence of emotion, was inspired by a road-rage incident. Numan was the victim not the culprit.

Now: Numan has become a revered figure among a new generation of musicians - ranging from Dave Grohl to Trent Reznor - who profess their love of his ’80s work. It’s helped Numan find a new audience - and meet the ladies. He married a member of his own fan club. Numan is also a trained pilot. Cars...planes...it’s all the same.

THOMAS DOLBY

Then: Another ’80s electronic music pioneer, Dolby had his biggest hit with the 1982 single “She Blinded Me with Science.” The video virtually defined MTV’s early playlist.

Now: After his MTV fame dried up, Dolby became an in-demand session player to everyone from Def Leppard to Belinda Carlisle to George Clinton to Joni Mitchell. He’s also heavily involved in the tech world. His various companies have created ringtones, audio file formats, and scores for video games. Since 2001, Dolby has been the musical director for the uber-hip tech conference TED.

SUZANNE VEGA

Then: Her songs “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner” were late-’80s staples. She made it safe for every super-sensitive, coffeehouse, liberal-arts girl to not feel alone anymore. The Lemonheads’ 1989 cover of “Luka” more than made up for all of those super-sensitive coffeehouse performers’ versions.

Now: Criminally, Vega is without a record deal, so she’s taken to the Internet, releasing her songs directly from her Web site, suzannevega.com. She also has a funny blog about meeting Flight of the Conchords. Apparently they’re fans. Maybe a “Luka” number in Season 3?

TONI BASIL

Then: Toni’s recording career was merely a brief diversion from an established career as a choreographer (she directed David Byrne’s moves in the “Once in a Lifetime” video, among countless other credits). She only made two albums. But her 1982 single “Mickey” cemented her place as an ’80s icon and made cheerleading cool again.

Now: Basil’s career has now come full circle. She’s still an in-demand choreographer; recent credits include Tina Turner’s latest tour. She also was a judge on the Fox show “So You Think You Can Dance.” No, she didn't wear the cheerleader outfit, but at age 65 she says she’s not above putting it on.

RICK SPRINGFIELD

Then: Springfield was an Australian teen-pop-star-turned-American-daytime-TV heartthrob. “Jessie’s Girl” put him on the U.S. charts in 1981. He left his “General Hospital” job two years later and put on his skinny tie for screaming girls at stadiums around the country.

Now: After successfully fighting depression but failing to make a musical comeback, Springfield returned to “General Hospital” in 2005. But then lightning did strike twice and Rick had a 2008 hit with his album "Venus in Overdrive." Now he gets to play “Jessie’s Girl” to screaming housewives around the country.

PAUL YOUNG

Then: The British singer had a 1985 hit with Daryl Hall’s “Everytime You Go Away.” Like Hall, Young gained a reputation for being a blue-eyed soul man. He played Live Aid and contributed vocals to the charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?.”

Now: Young is a father of three and spends a lot of time in kitchens. At least on TV. He was on the BBC’s “Celebrity MasterChef” and the U.K. version of “Hell’s Kitchen.” No word if his beef stew is as soulful as his songs.

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