My 80s Fun & Facts

The My 80s radio show recently celebrated its first anniversary at Mad Wasp Radio, and I have written a book to mark the occasion. Detailing all the tracks played on the show during that year, as well as Favourite Five, Word Up, Back On Track and Our Choon features, My 80s Fun & Facts includes crosswords, puzzles and word searches relating to the music and artists who have appeared on the show. There is even a ‘hidden’ online Monster Mash Up, accessible via a QR code in the book, and a pop quiz compiled by our quiz meister extraordinaire, Alan Read.

Published this Thursday (27th September) by Red Rain, My 80s Fun & Facts is available from most online book stores, including The Book Depository , Blackwell’s and Amazon*.

 

“I remember the Eighties as a rollercoaster ride and My 80s reflects that diversity, playing a winning mix of hits and surprises.  This book is the perfect accompaniment”  Gary Crowley

 

 

 

*Delivery is approximately 3 working days, NOT the 1 to 2 months currently stated on Amazon.

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Party On!

This weekend, the My 80s radio show celebrates its first anniversary at Mad Wasp Radio. In the run up to this momentous occasion, I have been back in touch with some of my former Favourite Five guests,  to ask them to choose their favourite 80’s dance floor fillers, which will be played in our special party show this Sunday from 7pm.

The tunes I will be playing are as wonderful and eclectic as the artists who have chosen them, so be sure to listen in as some of the decade’s much-loved musicians takeover the My 80s playlist and introduce their choices. I’ve a few little treats lined up for the listeners too, including our very own ‘Batesy’, Alan Read, returning with another Our Choon.

It’s the perfect way to end the week!

 

Win Tickets To See The Real Thing

On the next My 80s Radio Show my special guest will be Chris Amoo, lead singer of The Real Thing. The band that brought us hits such as Can’t Get By Without You, Can You Feel The Force and You To Me Are Everything continue to tour after 45 years in the music business, despite the sad passing of Eddy Amoo in February this year. Tune in to Mad Wasp Radio on Sunday 1st July, from 7pm, to hear Chris choose his Favourite Five 80’s tracks and share some of his memories of the decade.

We also have two pairs of tickets to see The Real Thing on 13th July at The King’s Hall, Herne Bay to give away, so be sure to tune in. Plus, if you want to have a song played on the show, get your requests to me using #My80s on Twitter, via the show’s Facebook page or using the contact form on my website.

Over To You

It has been a while since my last blog post as I have been kept busy with the My 80s radio show for Mad Wasp Radio. Following the popularity of the Christmas show’s Favourite Five, which was chosen by a listener, it was recently decided that more listeners should have the opportunity of sharing their choices. Therefore, starting this month, the Favourite Five in the last show of every month will be selected by a listener.

If you would like to share your Favourite Five 80’s tracks, and chat about them on air, just let me know what you think was the worst thing about the Eighties. It can be anything … fashion, music, TV, a world event … you decide, and let me know via Facebook, on Twitter or my website. Each month I will choose a listener to come on My 80s and talk about their Favourite Five and, of course, play the tracks on the show.

The only criteria for the songs you choose is that they must have been released during the Eighties, but they do no have to be Top 40 hits, and they can be album tracks. The rules may be simple but choosing the tracks is another matter. I know this from personal experience because this week I am choosing my Favourite Five.

This Sunday’s show airs two days before my birthday, so I thought I would treat listeners to my my five all time favourite songs from the decade. I never knew what an agonising, decision-making task it would be! Joining me on this week’s show, and turning the tables on me by interviewing me, is Owen Paul. So, to hear not only my top tunes but Owen Paul in the DJ seat, listen in from 7pm on Sunday.

Speak soon!

 

My 80s News

Following requests from some of the My 80s listeners, the lovely people at Mad Wasp Radio have decided to trial moving the show’s main slot to Sunday evening 7-9pm, starting on 17th December. My 80s will then be repeated the following Tuesday (11am – 1pm), Thursday (9-11pm) and Saturday (1-3pm), and uploaded to Mixcloud the next Sunday before that week’s show airs.

The shows which fall between the final repeat and the new main slot (14th & 16th December) will feature re-runs of some of the earlier My 80s shows. Below are the main show and repeat dates for the rest of 2017. I hope you will join me for some of them.

 

My 80s & Mixcloud

Listeners to the My 80s show on Mad Wasp Radio will know that all the shows are uploaded to my Mixcloud page. From next week, shows will not be uploaded to Mixcloud until the Wednesday following the show’s first airing. Next week’s show, which goes out at 9pm on Thursday 16th November, will be available on Mixcloud from Wednesday 22nd November, and so on.

Thursday’s show is also repeated on Mad Wasp every week as listed below:

From Magnificent Murals To Favourite Five

I have been fortunate to have some very talented musicians appear on the My 80s show, choosing their Favourite Five 80’s tracks. This week I can add an exceptionally talented artist to that list, because my special guest on this Thursday’s show is David ‘Gnasher’ Nash. Below are just a few examples of his work, more of which an be viewed on Gnasher’s website.

Illustrating how music and art can be mutually influential, Gnasher’s Favourite Five choices reflect not only his musical tastes but also the effect music has had upon him as an artist. Listen from 9pm this Thursday on Mad Wasp Radio.

Wouldn’t It Be Good To Listen To Nik’s Favourite Five?

Back in August, I interviewed Nik Kershaw for The 80s Annual Vol. II, which will be published next month. After our interview, he agreed to be a guest on the My 80s radio show, choosing his Favourite Five 80’s songs. We weren’t quite sure when that would be, as Nik had a busy couple of months ahead of him. However, I caught up with him towards the end of his tour, and we recorded Nik chatting about his Favourite Five ahead of his gig in Margate, at the beginning of October.

The interview will air on this Thursday’s My 80s 9-11pm on Mad Wasp Radio. It’s a good one, so be sure to tune in!

Backstage with Nik Kershaw at The Royal Theatre, Margate

The My 80s Archives

The Favourite Five feature on the My 80s radio show, in which my special guests choose their five favourite songs from the Eighties, is proving popular with listeners. All My 80s shows are uploaded to Mixcloud, but just to make things a little bit easier when searching for a particular show, I’ve listed the shows by guest below. Happy listening!

Nik Kershaw

David Ball – Soft Cell

Mari Wilson

Brian ‘Nasher’ Nash – Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Peter Coyle – The Lotus Eaters

Clark Datchler – Johnny Hates Jazz

Nick van Eede – Cutting Crew

Junior Giscombe

Leee John – Imagination

Dennis Seaton – Musical Youth

Ian Donaldson – H2O

Bobby McVay – The Fizz

Tracie Young

Andy Kyriacou – Modern Romance

David Brewis – The Kane Gang

Clive Jackson – Doctor & The Medics

Eddie Roxy – Department S

Owen Paul interviewing me

Erkan Mustafa – Grange Hill

Paula Ann Bland – Grange Hill

Andy O – Blue Zoo

Helen McCookerybook – The Chefs

Steve Blacknell

Gnasher – Street artist & muralist

Jamie Days – Author

Alan Read – My 80s quiz master

John Bowen & Wayne Lee – 80’s Smash Hits penpals

Listeners: Tanya Raftery

 

 

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Going To The Zoo With My 80s

Things really have been buzzing on Mad Wasp Radio, and this week’s special guest on the My 80s radio show, choosing his Favourite Five 80’s tracks, is Blue Zoo’s Andy O. Listen from 9pm this Thursday to hear Andy’s choices plus the latest release from the band.

The show will also be repeated on Saturday 1-3pm and Sunday 7-9pm, and available on Mixcloud after its first broadcast.