Christmas Gift Guide 2018 Features Playing Back the 80s Takes Readers On Nostalgic Romp With Decade’s Most Memorable Hit Makers
In Playing Back The 80s: A Decade Of Unstoppable Hits, author and music journalist Jim Beviglia goes behind the scenes to explore the making of more than 60 of the decade’s greatest hits. With in-depth interviews with the artists themselves, plus producers, session players and writers, Playing Back The 80s is chockfull of entertaining and surprising stories regarding the origins of the songs and lyrics; the often spontaneous creative process; and the real people, places and experiences that inspired the decade’s most memorable music.
Old Forge, PA, November 19, 2018 — From Modern English and the Hooters to Bananarama and the B-52s, the music of the 1980s bounced to a distinctive beat that defined the decade as one of the last great glory eras of pop music. And thanks to the dawn of MTV and shows like “Friday Night Videos,” a generation of music lovers suddenly had faces — and often elaborately staged mini-movies — to make the music’s messages stick.
To get to the heart of what made this decade’s music so special that it still streams endlessly in businesses and on satellite radios everywhere, music journalist Jim Beviglia weaves an entertaining narrative of the stories behind the phenomenal pop music era in Playing Back the 80s: A Decade of Unstoppable Hits.
Anyone who’s ever rocked a mullet or painstakingly made a mix tape will find memories in every line of lyrics as Beviglia delves deep into the creative process with artists such as Huey Lewis, Rick Springfield, Kim Carnes, Vernon Reid, Dennis DeYoung, Colin Hay and Eddie Money. All told, Playing Back the 80s features original interviews with more than 60 artists, producers, session players, writers and others who were directly involved with the most memorable songs of the decade, sharing the stories of how they created — often against imposing odds and in the midst of bizarre circumstances — the unstoppable hits and unheralded gems that still enchant so many fans today.
Playing Back the 80s will have music fans pulling their old cassettes out of storage and remembering when and where they heard the songs first. For those who didn’t grow up in the 80s, this endlessly fun book will show them what the fuss was all about and maybe reveal a few surprises along the way.
Jim Beviglia is the author of Counting Down Bob Dylan: His 100 Finest Songs; Counting Down Bruce Springsteen: His 100 Finest Songs; Counting Down The Rolling Stones: Their 100 Finest Songs; and Counting Down The Beatles: Their 100 Finest Songs, all published by Rowman & Littlefield. In addition, Beviglia is the featured writer at American Songwriter magazine, where he writes about both new and classic artists for the print and online editions. He also hosts his own blog at countdownkid.wordpress.com, where he focuses on the back catalogs of some of rock and pop’s greatest artists and songwriters.
Playing Back The 80s: A Decade Of Unstoppable Hits
Release date: November 15, 2018
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN-10: 1538116391
ISBN-13: 978-1538116395
Available from all online booksellers, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Walmart, plus the Rowman & Littlefield website at rowman.com
Review:
Publisher’s Weekly — “Music writer Beviglia (Counting Down Bob Dylan) brings a critic and fan’s perspective to his examination of 65 of the ‘finest songs’ of the 1980s in this impressive selection. He includes classics such as the Police’s ‘Every Breath You Take,’ one-hit wonders such as Falco’s ‘Rock Me Amadeus,’ and psychedelic new wave sounds such as the Church’s ‘Under the Milky Way.’ Beviglia interviewed the songwriter or producer for each song, and their input is fun and insightful. About ‘Sunglasses at Night,’ Corey Hart says, ‘Lyrically, I was trying to capture the cool rebellious spirit à la James Dean.’ Modern English singer Robbie Grey admits to writing ‘I Melt With You‘ ‘in about three minutes sitting on the floor stoned in my house in Shepard’s Bush, London.’ Andy McCluskey of Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark recalled the inspiration for their song ‘If You Leave’: Pretty in Pink filmmaker John Hughes said to them, ‘So can you write a song that is …120 beats per minute?’ With only three pages on each song, the coverage can feel light, but for those looking for a glimpse into what made the music of the ‘80s a genre that still resonates today, Beviglia has created an excellent time capsule. (Nov.)”
Possible discussion topics for Jim Beviglia:
I would love to contact Jim and to be able to discuss some of the topics below with him. Or hear what it was like to meet some of the Artists in person. As well as learn about any quirks they have.
• The interviews I conducted
• My love for 80s music, having grown up in the era
• How the decade stacks up against other decades
Inside this post are my affiliate links and if you make a purchase though the links I will make a small perectnage from the items you purchase.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
