Many of us are world-weary, hardened adults. Very little causes us to suddenly sit up in shock and engage in reflection. Saying “there’s nothing new under the sun” is unnecessary, as we know it instinctively; indeed, even saying it almost seems naive. Occasionally, though, something gets through.
Here’s one: “Doug Fieger, frontman for ’80s power-pop band the Knack, has been diagnosed with 22 brain tumors. He previously had a piece of his lung removed (in 2004.)” It hardly seems possible. Indeed, it hardly seems like so much time has passed between the debut of Get The Knack, the album that proved both blessing and curse for the band. It spawned several top ten hits, an iconic single that I need not name because you already know it (you knew it when I wrote “The Knack”) and the black and white band photo on the cover, complete with a leering Fieger promising a good time to those who dared enter. It also became too big for its own good, creating a backlash ensuring further ventures from The Knack never would scale those heights again. (more…)
TV Turn-Off Week: While it’s not my official excuse for being away from you, this is my story and I’m sticking to it: Last week was “TV Turnoff Week”—an opportunity for the boobtube addicted (like me) to take a break and concentrate on the lost art of what us late ’70s/early ’80s kids used to experience as “family time” and “outside time.” Back then, family and outside time was more than just important… it was a way of life.