The Class of 1979: The Warriors

Directed by Walter Hill and based on Sol Yurick's 1965 novel of the same name, ‘The Warriors’ remains a 1979 American cult action / thriller film. Framed for killing a gang leader trying to unite all the gangs in the area and with other gangs out to get them, they must get back to the home turf of Coney Island ... Alive. Not when I first saw this film and how many times I’ve seen it since.

Quite a few.

Along with a good friend, we did fine ourselves buying baseball bats in London’s Kings Road.

Must have had some funny looks on the train back to the West Country. Remember waxing lyrical in Mr. Sheard’s English class about the new film and the shocking news of the fights that broke out in and around its opening night in the US.

One minute it was the Warriors. The next, Michael Jacksons Thriller. Blimey, Rock’n’Roll.

Cannnnnnn youuuuuu dig ittttttt?

The Class of 1979

The Class of 1979: The B-52s

Forming the soundtrack for the Class of 1979, I LOVE The B-52's first, self-titled debut album. Always have, always will.

Recorded at Blackwell's Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas and released on July 6th 1979, the album contained six originals tracks along with a remake of the Petula Clarks "Downtown". It was a major success for the band, especially in Australia where it reached number three on the charts.

Purchased first by my elder brother, I won't go into details how I was reminded about the wonders of "Planet Claire", suffice as to say it was used in a film I shouldn't really have been watching at that age / time.

In 1979 The B-52's signed contracts with Warner Bros. Records for North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand; and with Island Records for the UK, Europe, and Asia. Chris Blackwell, founder of Island, produced their debut studio album.

In the United States, the single "Rock Lobster" reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while the album itself was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

By saying LP rather than CD, dopes this make me sound old?

Thanks to Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Keith Strickland and the late Ricky Wilson for the greatness that was / is, The B-52s.

The Class of 1979

Victor Kiam and his shaver

For the man who loved the shaver so much he bought the company, I felt very old recently when reminiscing about TV advertising from the 70s & 80s. Victor who?

Victor K. Kiam (7 December 1926 - 27 May 2001) was an American entrepreneur and the owner of the New England Patriots football team from 1988-1991.

The Class of 1979

Brighton bares all back in 1979

Way back in 1979, Brighton became the first major resort in Britain to officially set aside part of its seafront to nudists. Following a concerted campaign by local councillor Eileen Jakes, the council tonight agreed to set aside a 200-yard (183m) stretch of the beach solely for nude bathers.

The 59-strong Tory controlled-council in Brighton was split down the middle, but following a trip to the site by a working party, the proposals were passed. Situated to the east of Palace Pier between Peter Pan's playground and the marina, the beach will be opened as an experiment for one year.

The area is screened from the road by shingle and a double row of signs, soon to be erected around the area at a cost of £600, will warn other bathers that they are approaching a nudist area.

I remember going there many years ago and inadvertently sitting in the 'nudist zone' only to discover - much to my horror - that naked frisbee seemed to be the order of the day.

Eek.

The Class of 1979

Blondie: Sunday Girl (1979)

Coutesy of YouTube, Blondies Sunday Girl from 1979:



Enjoy!

The Class of 1979

Maggie comes to power

Sitting in the main hall of Hanham Abbots Junior School, I remember being asked by a fellow classmate (having heard that Margaret Thatcher & the Conservatives had won the 1979 General Election), 'Does that mean we're now going to war?"

The Class of 1979