Happy birthday, Herbie Hancock

Happy birthday, Herbie Hancock. You’re a jazz legend. You’re a Grammy winner But even if you never played with Miles Davis, you’re birthday is notable for the impact you had in 1983 with this little gem, which, at the time, sounded like the future it has become.

I know I’ve got the 12-inch LP version of this somewhere …

Retro comic ads: NBC Saturday Morning, 1986

Just looking at this centerfold ad from a 1986 G.I. Joe comic makes you ask: “Is it any wonder the world’s the way it is?” (The scan looks a little sketch, but if you click it, I think a larger one will appear, and if you zoom in, it clears up.)

I mean, it certainly clears up why there was a Smurfs movie (starring Doogie Houser, M.D., no less). Twenty-five years ago, the creators of the movie were watching it on Saturday morning.

But I doubt there’s going to be a Kissyfur movie any time soon. I mean, really, Kissyfur?!? What was that? And Frufur? A show about Gummi Bears? And what the heck was Kidd Video?

And then there’s Punky Brewster … well … there’s nothing wrong with Punky Brewster, so never mind.

But just take a glance at two of these “One to Grow On” PSAs, starring Michael J. Fox and Mr. T, and you can see the seeds of the things to come.

What are some of your Saturday morning memories? (If, of course, you’re old enough to remember that Saturday morning had the possibility of inspiring memories …)

Lovin’ the 80s … Psych

 

There’s a reason I love the television show, Psych … and I think it’s all captured in this year’s promo.

Know what I mean?

Hey … it’s THAT guy

Have you seen the Progressive commercial with the 80s montage?

If so, then you may have wondered why they chose Curtis Armstrong to represent the decade.

I know I did. However, upon reflection, who else could they have gotten? The blond guy from Cobra Kai? Maybe. But he can’t hold a candle to Armstrong. Consider:

• this is the guy who told Tom Cruise to take a chance (well … he said it a little more graphically …);
• this is the guy who snorted a mountain of snow and gave John Cusack love advice;
• this is the guy who spent one summer saving Demi Moore’s grandmother’s house;
• this is the guy who pursued Agnes DiPesto, for the love of all that is holy;
• AND, this is the guy who gave one of the most iconic burps in movie history:

So, congratulations Curtis Armstrong, you have (not so) quietly permanently left your mark (and he’s remained busy, too. Check his IMDB credits).

The commercial, though, leads to this question: if there was a Mount Rushmore for the 1980s, who would be on it?

Free mp3: Whitesnake

Break out the air guitar and set your mullet to head-bang …

just keep your model off our car ...

Whitesnake, yes, this Whitesnake, forgoes the cheesy model car-top dancing, but keeps the retro metal with its new single, which is available for free download at Amazon today.

Who knew … now, if we can just get that new Quiet Riot single …