80’s at 8 Rockturnal With Scotty B Tuesday 04-11-23
Portrait of the band Red Rider, left to right, Jeff Jones, Rob Baker, Peter Boynton, Tom Cochrane, and Ken Greer at the Park West in Chicago, Illinois, December 5, 1981. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Tonight’s 80’s at 8 started in 1981 with Lunatic Fringe by the Canadian Rock Band Red Rider. It was the first single released from their second album As Far As Siam. Lunatic Fringe showcases the band’s unique blend of rock, new wave, and progressive music, creating a sound that’s both powerful and thought-provoking. “Lunatic Fringe” addresses themes of social unrest, political oppression, and the struggle for freedom. The song’s chorus, with its repetition of the phrase “Lunatic Fringe,” has become an anthem for those who resist the status quo and refuse to be silenced. Guitarist Tom Cochran wrote the Lunatic Fringe because he was worried the resurgence of Anti Semitism in the 1970s, and was also inspired after reading a book about Raoul Wallenberg, who rescued Jews from from the Nazi Holocaust.
LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 1986: Hard-rock group “Great White” poses for a portrait in December 1986 in Los Angeles, California. (L-R)Rock Me was a huge break out hit for Great white in 1987. Audie Desbrow, Mark Kendall, Jack Russell, Lorne Black (1962 – 2013), Michael Landrie. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
The second track in tonight’s 80’s at 8 was Rock Me by Great White. I played the original version. It clocks in at around 7 mins. There are two radio version one is 3 mins and one is 5. The lyrics to the edited versions are different from the original, but the music track is the same. Rock me was a huge break out hit for Great White in 1987. It reached #9 on the Billboard Mainstream rock Chart.Rock Me is a powerful and upbeat rock anthem that showcases the band’s ability to create catchy, guitar-driven music that gets you rockin!”Rock Me” speaks to the universal experience of going out and having a good time with friends, with lead singer Jack Russell’s powerful vocals conveying a sense of energy and excitement.”Rock Me” remains a fan favorite to this day, and has been covered by numerous artists, including German hard rock band Bonfire and heavy metal band Black ‘N Blue. Rock Me” is a testament to Great White’s ability to create music that’s both catchy and powerful, showcasing their status as one of the premier hard rock bands of the 1980s. It remains a classic of the rock genre, inspiring fans to let loose and rock out. You can watch the music video for Rock Me by Great White here:
