Hey, Remember the 80's?

Join Kari and Joe for a journey through the March 16, 1985 issue of Billboard. You opera fans who've been waiting 272 episodes for a mention of Madame Butterfly are in luck! Then, get ready to hear about wild 80s personalities like Doctor G and Lee Abrams, before partying out of bounds with WLIR and getting an invitation to dance with a chart triple threat.We're also going just a bit outside with entries from Welsh rockers that would later become electronic superstars, California bros who were still cruisin well past their curfew, and a teen star that wanted to grow up fast.Send us a text

Episode 271: Joe and Kari are back with an episode that is chock full of delicious tidbits, so strap on the ol' feedbag and tune in! You'll hear about some exciting news that's taken place in the past few weeks (new, unreleased music from Bruce Springsteen, new recordings from Susanna Hoffs, etc). Plus you'll hear about Joe's recent concert experience, and all of Kari's thoughts on the recent 80's Cruise. We're so happy to be back, hope you enjoy the loose format of this week's episode!Send us a text

Episode 270: Joe and Kari are back and they brought plenty of tidbits to share with you this week, from the stage to the screen to the sea! Then buckle up for Just a Bit Outside, your look at songs that hit the Hot 100 but NOT the Top 40 -- a surprisingly large amount of great songs for this round. You'll hear from chart mainstays like Little River Band and Eddie Rabbitt, plus acts like The Babys, Vesta, and Kon Kan.Send us a text

Join Kari and Joe this week for another celebration of Black History Month. First, in tidbits, Kari gives a short report on the Luther Vandross documentary and you may be surprised where he got his start.Then, it's a vastly underrated group of ladies led by JoJo McDuffie, an old school artist who started spilling the tea in her songs in the 80s, a legend that Kari and Joe should know more about, and a former Holy Ghost Boy who we pray does not hurt us.Tune in for that plus a dramatic monologue by Joe and an homage to MTV's Party to Go!Send us a text

Kari and Joe kick off this episode with tidbits about Tina Turner, Record Store Day, more on the SNL music documentary and interesting news about a Prince documentary that was previously announced.Then, February is Black History Month and that means more R&B Superstars. We've made it into the Ms! Get ready to hear about a jazz fusion group that contains some familiar members... think positive with a superstar trio... dive into the world of Brazilian telenovelas... and hear from a (very talented) nepo baby.Send us a text

Send us a textJoin Kari and Joe this week to talk the music of Saturday Night Live in tidbits, along with some very important concert announcements. Then they dive back into Dave Kinzer's "The 80s Music Compendium" to cover a couple piano solos, an organ solo, a guitar solo, a harmonica solo and a saxophone solo. Whew. Get ready to hear about the Boogie Nights-ish backstory of the band Great White, a heartwarming story involving fortified wine, and possibly the worst cover of the 80s decade??Personnel CreditsHosted by: Joe, KariHair by: Dove and Love, Beauty, Planet

Send us a textHello friends, Kari and Joe are back with a tidbit check-in on all those 80s music documentaries you've been waiting for! Then, they get into Volume 1 of Richard Blade's Flashback Favorites, the iconic DJ's compilation series that was intended to be all good songs, no filler. Did he succeed? Do you recognize the songs and bands he chose? Do the words "quick, slow, quick, quick, slow" mean anything to you?Also, it's a special edition of Just a Bit Outside dedicated to the source of the quote himself, the one and only Bob Uecker.All this, plus an attempted kidnapping, an urban legend about John Lennon and a trip to the beach!

Send us a textHappy New Year to our loyal listeners. Joe and Kari are back with a new episode. They are here to finish up the Billboard list of the 100 Best Pop Songs That Didn't Hit the Hot 100. Some of your 80's shoegaze faves are here: The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths. Thank goodness there are some more upbeat songs as well, courtesy of Frankie Beverly and Maze, and the act that appears in the number one spot on the list. Go ahead and click play -- for inspiration! 

Send us a textLet's say goodbye to 2024 with episode 264. In Tidbits, Kari will beg you to watch a new Netflix special and give an abbreviated report of Phil Collins: Drummer First. Then, Kari and Joe are flipping last week and bringing you Billboard Top 100 Pop Songs that didn't hit the Hot 100 first and Just a Bit Outside second. You'll have to decide who you believe about an infamous lyric of the 80s... Sheila E. or your own ears. Then, it's a legend that never got his due in the US, at least during his lifetime. In JaBO, it's an icon, a backing band and an R&B star from the end of the decade that couldn't make his success last. 

Send us a textEpisode 263 is here just in time for Christmas! Wouldn't you think this would be a Christmas Episode? Not a chance -- as your friends Joe and Kari are still getting their bearings! You'll get a stocking full of Tidbits though, as your hosts remember more things that happened during the break! 1st Segment: Just a Bit Outside, a look at songs that charted but didn't break into the top 40. You'll hear Joe fumble the title of one of the most famous songs in the history of recorded music (sorry, Al Green), while a hard rock band conjures up movie quotes in the brain of Kari. // Billboards Top 100 Pop Songs that didn't hit the Hot 100 - yes, we are still looking through this list and picking out the 80's gems. This episode finds a re-recorded rock classic, and a trailblazing hip-hop remix. 

Send us a textHello friends! Kari and Joe are back to... just chat.

Send us a Text Message.There are no words to describe the loss of producer David, but Kari gives it a try.

Send us a Text Message.Episode 260: Joe and Kari are going back to July 17, 1982, to peruse an issue of Billboard magazine (Thank you, Monty Greeley). You'll hear about articles and ads featuring Jimmy Spicer and The B.B. & Q Band, and some more familiar names like Carly Simon and Robert Plant. Kari's happy to discuss Bonnie Hayes, and Joe always gets a thrill talking about a Mandrell sister (Barbara, this time). 

Send us a Text Message.Episode 259: Happy Pride Month, all! Joe and Kari have a great episode this week inspired by an idea from friend of the podcast Dom! Prepare to build a rainbow using 80's songs, albums, and bands that use colors in their names: "Orange Crush" by REM, "Red Light" by Linda Clifford, the Moody Blues, you get the picture! So many fun songs in this one, plus some juicy tidbits, this episode's got it all!!

Send us a Text Message.Episode 258: First up in Tidbits, a little update about the other 80's movies that Joe and Kari watched during their time together. First segment: revisiting the Billboard list of the 100 Best Pop Songs that didn't reach the Hot 100. Joe and Kari discuss entries from Grace Jones, Duran Duran, Violent Femmes, Kate Bush, and NWA. The next segment was teased a bit ago: Trash Or Treasure? Up for debate is Ray Parker Jr's 80's Output Minus Ghostbusters. 

Send us a Text Message.Episode 257: We're back! Joe and Kari were actually in the same room for the new episode of HRT80s! They had a LOT to catch up on for Tidbits, including their review of the Cyndi Lauper documentary, so make sure you've watched it before you listen (or just skip to 20:49).The main segment is all about Joe's recent record store finds from a trip to STL's biggest record store Record Exchange. You'll hear about Sheena Easton, The Del Fuegos, the Models, and (one of friend of the podcast Dom's favorite artists) Lulu!

Send us a Text Message.Episode  256: Great news, everyone! The dust has settled on last week's tiff. Joe and Kari (and their agents) have worked out an agreement to get the two back in the studio. It's time to get back into the music of Moonlighting. How accurate is Showrunner Glenn Gordon's Caron claim that they were able to retain the vast majority of the music used in the show's original run? One thing is certain, they songs performed by Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis on the show remain intact. Some other songs that were kept include hits from Pet Shop Boys and Alisha. Come walk by night!

Episode 255: After multiple delays, the Moonlighting episode is finally here! Much like the iconic television series itself, this episode of HRT80s has been plagued by delays, behind the scenes tension, and inflated egos. But one thing is for sure, you will hear all about the legendary theme song by Al Jarreau (and its many iterations), as well as the Jarreau song that was meant to be the theme song long before audiences were asked to "Come walk by night". Showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron has said in interviews that he did his best to keep the original music intact as the show made its long-awaited return to tv screens via Hulu. Joe and Kari are here to discuss just how well Mr. Caron pulled it off. So slam the door to ensure peace and quiet while you listen to episode 255!

Episode 254: It's time for Part Two of our look at the British Top 30, innit? You may remember that in Episode 249, Joe and Kari discussed one of Kari's recent record store finds: The British Top 30 from June 23, 1985, brought to you by Dave Eastwood and Radio Luxembourg. They are picking it up at number 15, a song by Gary Moore, and will discuss songs from Loose Ends, Freddy Mercury, the Style Council, and others on the way to the number one song! Don't be cheeky, tune in now!!!

Episode 253: Joe and Kari posed a question to the listeners of HRT80s a bit ago -- what's your favorite obscure soundtrack song? They received so many great suggestions that they couldn't all be used in one episode, so this week's episode is a continuation. You'll hear about songs from movies like Teachers, Dirty Dancing, and Trick or Treat, and artists like 38 Special, Joe Cocker, and Hot Date! Finally, summer may be just around the corner, but Henry Lee Summer discussion begins right now, in the segment Coming Around Again. 

Episode 250 (Part 2) (Taylor's Version) is here! The celebration continues, but Joe and Kari had to record a bit of new stuff to cover some pressing tidbits. And then it's BACK to Just a Bit Outside to cover more of those songs that didn't hit the Top 40. Then friend of the podcast Michael plays Quizmaster to finish out the ongoing quiz series. Find out who will emerge victorious!!!Finally, find out which 80's icon sends a congratulatory message to Joe and Kari on account of the 250th episode!

Episode 250 is here! Join Joe and Kari for Part One of the milestone episode. They welcome friend of the podcast Michael to the show for a supersized Just a Bit Outside segment, for a look at those songs that hit the Hot 100, but didn't make it to the famed Top 40. You'll hear about songs from Shooting Star, Guy, Grace Slick and the B-52s, among others. Episode 250 is so big, it had to be split into 2 episodes! Stay tuned for the finale next week with some big surprises!

Episode 249: This episode is inspired by Kari's trip to the record store, where she uncovered a set called "The British Top 30 Show." The countdown is from June 16, 1985, but is it based on the official UK Charts? Definitely not, but the jury is still out on where these rankings really came from. What can be confirmed is that you'll hear discussion about songs from Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy, Skipworth and Turner, U2 and others.More on our ongoing quiz series, but this time with a voice you may have not heard before! Find out if Joe can catch up to Kari before the final round!!

Episode 248: Let's go back in time to March 26, 1983! That's the date on the issue of Billboard magazine that Joe and Kari have chosen to peruse (and you can do the same at www.worldradiohistory.com). Let's take a look at some of the ink splashed for artists like Simple Minds, The Bar-Kays, and Ultravox. You'll also hear about The First Video Games Conference, and an interesting ad taken out to get the attention of a famous singer. Also making the pages of the issue are Jules Shear, The Brains, and you know it wouldn't be an episode of HRT80s without a mention of at least one Mandrell sister!

Episode 247: Multiple tidbits this week, including the lineup for the 2025 80's Cruise, and a tribute to Eric Carmen. You Don't Have to Yell! Did you ever notice that multiple 80's song titles include exclamation points in them? What's the deal with that?? Joe and Kari take a look at some songs from Scritti Politti, Donnie Iris, Thompson Twins, and others that beg the listener to SCREAM the song title in excitement. But did these songs EARN the right to use those exclamation points? That's what's up for debate in this episode!Could've Been: In this segment, Joe and Kari each swap out a song from the top 20 for a song in the bottom 20. Stray Cats and Styx take a hike to make room for a southern rock band and a surprisingly Yacht Rock singer. 

Episode 246: Obscure Soundtrack Songs. Joe and Kari asked for suggestions on the FB page (follow it, if you aren't already!) They got some great recommendations from Bill G., David N. and Kindra K., including songs from Streets of Fire, Pretty in Pink and The Lost Boys, which actually has a ton of great songs! You'll hear about contributions from Suzanne Vega, Fire, Inc., and Lou Gramm. You'll also hear the next round of the ongoing QUIZ series between Joe and Kari. Find out who comes out on top!

Episode 245: Grab your party hats and noisemakers, it's time to celebrate some birthdays for some of your favorite musicians of the 80's! Cindy Wilson of the B-52s, Neal Schon of Journey (and numerous other bands), Robyn Hitchcock, and Tone Loc are all Pisces. Find out more about these acts and others in this week's episode of HRT80s

Episode 244: It's time to consult The 80's Music Compendium for another list of songs with the longest piano solos. It's not that surprising to find songs from Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Carole King. But Sheena Easton and Heart, what are you doing here? Segment two is another round of the ongoing quiz series, with accompaniment by a special guest! Find out if Joe is ever going to take the lead away from Kari!

Episode 243: Lots of Odds and Ends to discuss this week, so we've got a super-sized Tidbit section for you all! Even though Kari did her best to ignore it, the Rock Hall nominees for 2024 need to be discussed. Who got snubbed? Who was deserving? More tidbits come courtesy of Michael H. and Blair (thanks for the suggestions). You'll hear discussions about Guns N' Roses, Bruce Hornsby, and Rick Astley. Just a Bit Outside: Songs that didn't hit the top 40 from Leif Garrett and Steve Forbert. Guess which artist Joe and Kari DON'T like?Finally, more of the ongoing quiz series. Find out if Joe will ever catch up to Kari!!

Episode 242: So many tidbits! You won't even believe it, and Joe and Kari left out a big one (to be discussed at a later date, maybe!!). Main topic: R&B Superstars, including some musicians with a ton of R&B hits (and not just in the 80's), like Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight and the Pips. You'll also hear about Evelyn "Champagne" King and Cheryl Lynn (who is currently enjoying a resurgence on the charts). Plus, find out the history behind "My Toot Toot"

Episode 241: This segment idea comes courtesy of friend of the podcast, Dom. Way back in episode 5, we discussed some actors who were "moonlighting" as pop singers, so why not focus on some actresses who tried it as well? We start off with some actors associated with the classic show The Facts of Life: Lisa Welchel, Kim Fields and Gloria Loring, who sang the famous theme song (talk about "you take the good, you take the bad..."). You'll also hear about songs from Audrey Landers, Princess Stephanie, and Alyssa Milano (she's big in Japan). 

Episode 240: Time for part two of our series highlighting the Best Pop Songs NEVER to Hit the Hot 100, according to Billboard Magazine. Why did great songs from Change, Tears for Fears, Womack and Womack, Bruce Springsteen and others NOT hit the Hot 100? Billboard has their reasons, which are myriad (Heathers reference, nailed it). Then it's time for the next part of the ongoing QUIZ series, find out if Joe finally catches up to Kari!

Episode 239: Order in the court! HRT80s Court is in session, and Joe and Kari object... to artists ripping off other artists. Of course, they try to be fair and hear both sides, so you can also decide if the audio evidence is enough to convict. This week's docket includes Kid Creole and the Coconuts v. Bananarama, and Ollie & Jerry v. Dan Hartman. There's a third case as well, but that's a secret!! O' Canada: more songs from the CBC's list of the 50 Best Canadian Songs of the 80's, including a tune by Images in Vogue, and one that was perhaps made more famous by Mr. Eddie Vedder.

Episode 238: It's time to go "Just a Bit Outside" to check out some singles that hit the Hot 100 but DIDN'T make the Top 40. This week, we'll hear singles from Neil Diamond and Jennifer Warnes, and a couple from the Great White North from Red Rider and Anne Murray. It's not all Adult Contemporary, though! The singles from 1989 are from acts like Love and Rockets and Debbie Gibson. Buckle up, there's a new Quiz in town! Find out if Joe can pull off another upset in this new series of quizzes. 

Episode 237: Happy New Year, folks! Joe and Kari are starting off 2024 with a bang! They've chosen their Top Five Number One singles of the 80's and discuss each one's merits. They also discuss live versions, demos, or remixes. Get ready for chatter about Genesis, Janet Jackson, Bruce Hornsby & The Range, Cyndi Lauper, and more! Find out if any of your faves made this totally subjective list!

It's a very special episode of HRT80s and it's dropping right smack dab in the middle of the busy holiday season. As we get ready for a new year, let's take a look at some songs that hit the Hot 100 at the end of 1989. Some of these are definitely considered more “90's” but since they debuted in 1989, they are fair game for HRT80s! Friend of the Podcast Chad joins Joe and Kari to discuss some of the songs that were On The Brink of the 90's, including songs from Gloria Estefan, Technotronic, and Aerosmith! Grab your party hats and noisemakers and join in on the fun!

Episode 235: Time for a trip back through time, to August 27, 1983 to be exact. That's the date on the front of the issue of Billboard that Joe procured at the antique mall, but you can follow along at worldradiohistory.com if you like. This episode is a review of the ads and articles from the issue, like ads for Louise Mandrell's scorching new album Too Hot To Sleep! There's also a lot of ink devoted to the rise of that new invention the CD! Singles from Will Powers, Tom Tom Club, Two Sisters and Debra (sorry, that's Zebra) are among those reviewed by Joe and Kari. 

Episode 234: It's time for another Grab Bag episode -- Joe and Kari are taking listener suggestions (as well as their own suggestions to each other) to discuss some songs that just didn't fit into any other episodes. Thanks to listener Wes for his suggestion on Contemporary Christian artists in the 80's. Steve Taylor and The 77s had some very interesting songs, thank G**! And Joe and Kari also discuss a couple of forgotten gems that deserve a listen from Starpoint and The LookJust a Bit Outside: Two more songs that hit the Hot 100 (but did not earn a spot in the coveted Top 40) -- this time the singles are from 2 very different rock bands, The Knack and Winger. Did they deserve to chart higher? 

Episode 233: Think back to Episode 229 from a few weeks ago, when Joe and Kari discussed in Tidbits the list of the 500 Best Pop Songs from Billboard. If you remember, part of the criteria included that the song HAD to chart on the Hot 100 to qualify. Well, the people at Billboard put together ANOTHER list of the 100 Best Pop songs NOT to hit the Hot 100, and that's what is being discussed in this week's episode! You'll hear about pop non-hits from Miquel Brown, Taena Gardner, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman and others! Did they deserve to make the list? 

Episode 232: Yes, Joe and Kari attended the Darker Waves Festival, and they lived to tell the tale! On the podcast! Their review kicks off this episode, find out what they liked (OMD! English Beat!) and what they didn't like (Lines! People! Paying for beer!). Since World AIDS Day is December 1st, Joe and Kari are taking a look at some of the artists who tried to use their music to bring awareness to this serious topic, like Cyndi Lauper, Jimmy Somerville of Bronski Beat, and Book of Love. 

Episode 231: If you haven't heard Joe and Kari discuss this in previous episodes, they are traveling to Huntington Beach, CA this week to attend the Darker Waves Festival! The lineup is STACKED with artists that have been discussed on HRT80s many times, but this episode is dedicated to some of the lesser-known bands like The Chameleons and Clan of Xymox, as well as faves like The English Beat, OMD and X! You'll feel like you're at a music festival when you listen to this one, and the beers won't be 18 dollars each! 

Episode 230: This week's episode is a very special one, as Joe and Kari welcome their first international guest to the podcast: Listener Dom from New Zealand! Dom has been kind enough to suggest some of the segments that we've brought to you on HRT80s, and this week, we get to know the man behind the ideas, and what exactly he loves about music from the 1980s. Then we invite Dom to discuss one of his segment ideas: Not the Song You're Thinking Of, which takes a look at songs that have the same title as huge hits of the 80s, like "Freedom", "I'm Your Man", "Trouble" and "The Power of Love". You don't want to miss this episode!

Episode 229: Spooky Halloween Edition! Since this episode drops on Halloween, Joe and Kari took some listener suggestions on their favorite creepy songs of the 80's. Toto Coelo sang a love song about Dracula, Whodini warned us that the freaks come out at night, and Ministry gave us a goth anthem with "Everyday is Halloween."Finally, the Great 80's Music Quiz comes to an end with the final rounds. Find out who wins the sack of full-size candy bars, and who comes home with a bag full of those weird peanut butter chews in the orange and black wrappers (you know the ones, they're nasty). 

Episode 228: As promised, here is Part Two of the recap of the Countdown America program from February 18, 1989. Dick Clark hosted this syndicated radio program that used the Top 30 Adult Contemporary charts from Radio and Records magazine. In the upper reaches of the countdown, we have songs from Vanessa Williams, Anita Baker and Barbra Streisand. Plus, Debbie Gibson and Tiffany face off with ballads from their sophomore albums. Which song was more successful on the charts (and in our hearts)? And who was the more successful solo member of the Eagles -- Glenn Frey or Don Henley? You'll find the answers in this episode, as well as the song that took the number one spot!

Episode 227: This episode is only for the Jackée stans!!! That's right: HRT80s is celebrating 227 episodes this week! And we asked the listeners to tell us their favorite TV Theme Songs for us to cover on the podcast. So get ready to hear about the theme songs to your favorite 80's shows: Perfect Strangers, Cheers, 227 (natch), and everyone's favorite, Golden Girls.Then it's time for more QUIZZING; who ends up in the lead after this round? You better listen and find out, because there's no place like HRT80s. I MEAN NO PLACE, CHILD *WOO!* 

Episode 226: Please welcome to the podcast: Michael! He's joining the panel for HRT80s court, that segment that takes a look at some similar-sounding songs and asks, Who is at fault for this? Why does "Running Back to You" by Vanessa Williams sound a bit like "Right on Track" by the Breakfast Club? Does Bananarama owe some money to Company B? And why exactly was New Line Pictures up in arms about the harmless DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince Freddy Krueger song? Once the verdicts are in, it's time for Michael to QUIZ Kari and Joe on some Just a Bit Outside R&B singles. Find out who wins the bragging rights on this episode of HRT80s!

Episode 225: Sometimes the tidbits are plentiful. This week, Joe and Kari discuss (deep breath): Cyndi Lauper's new musical, news of a Debbie Gibson memoir, Moonlighting comes to streaming finally, Pat Benatar's daughters new single, and news of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. PLUS, Joe's mini-review of the Squeeze/Psychedelic Furs show. WHEWMain Topic: Suggested by listener Dom, Joe and Kari take a look at some of the biggest and best hits of the 80's to come out of New Zealand. Of course, the Finn brothers are represented, as well as singles from Shona Laing, Patea Maori Club, and Satellite Spies. 

Episode 224:  Joe and Kari had so much fun dissecting the National Music Survey in episode 214 that....well, they fell down the rabbit hole. One eBay purchase later, they're now the owner of several old 80's countdowns on vinyl. This week's episode takes a look at Countdown America from the week of February 18, 1989. It's the top 30 AC hits based on Radio and Records, hosted by the one and only Dick Clark! They discuss some of the singles from Carly Simon, Boy Meets Girl, Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, Chicago, and others! There's also a spotlight on Kenny G, but don't let that stop you from checking out the episode!  

Episode 223: This week's episode is a grab bag, odds and ends that Joe and Kari have collected over the past few weeks due to Instagram stories, Apple Music playlists, and suggestions from Loyal Listeners. First up is a gem from Tina Yothers (!), yes she attempted a pop music takeover, but was she successful? Up next are a couple of rap songs from the mid-80's that have ties to Sly Fox. Also, Stacey Q was putting out music before "Two of Hearts" made it big on the charts. Finally, an 80's music oddity that popped up recently in the Sex and the City reboot. The quizzing continues as well. Does Joe keep his lead against Kari after the most recent round?