Prompt: Write about a memorable song or musical experience from your years at the NC School of Science and Math.
Due Date: September 1, 2025
Details: Write about a memorable song, artist, or album that you associate with your time at NCSSM;
Or write about the Talent Show or the Gong Show experiences at NCSSM;
Or write about the concerts and the music educational that took place under the direction of Randolph Foy;
Or write about one of the dance parties on campus, or the music (or source of music) in your dorm room;
Or write about the launch of MTV, and it's influence on campus and the wider culture at the time.
Blog landing page URL: https: https://half-sheet-of-paper-workshop.blogspot.com/
New Post URL: https://www.blogger.com/blog/posts/6942635268531392674
Background:
November 22, 1980 - Talent Show
Where Were YOU???
Were you there when the first annual ˜S and M' Talent Show exploded onto the stage? The expectations from the crowd were running high. The curtains opened and out poured entertainment that surpassed all anticipation as the unleashed talent of NCSSM danced, sang, and Blues'd its way across the stage. The audience experienced everything from being "rapped by computers" to being touched by the emotion of "The Rose". When the final curtain drew across the stage, the excitement only heightened when the show's elite judging panel consisting of Andrea Wisner, Herman Goins, and Joanie Brown (& co.) recessed to pour [sic] their score sheets and try to cane up with a winner. Not surprisingly, the results were slow in coming. That created no problem, however, due to some fantastic post-entertainment starring Dr. D. and his computers (thanks Peter) and a trip "On Broadway" from Wyche's resident jam man Thomas Gilchrist. At last came the big moment - the announcement of the judges' decisions.
First came the recognition of the honorable mentions from Zack Smith. M.C. Thomas Gilchrist and the duet of Clovis Peres and Joe Liles received the two awards presented in that category. Third place went to Tommy Yadon and second place to the team of Tonya Crawford and Charlene Carter. The winner of first place was so hard to decide upon in finally ended with a tie: Michelle Little who sang "Jesus Christ is the Way" and Yvonne Slavich who sang "Out Here on my Own". All the acts may not have received a prize, but every one of them came across like a winner. Let's give the performers, MC, judges, and especially Chrystal Hunter a big thanks for such a super show.
[PDA Volume 1, Number 6, December 5, 1980; Other Campus and Student Publications; NCSSM Digital Archives]
March 7, 1981 - Gong Show
GONG!
Last Saturday night at 7:00 pm, the Assembly Building was turned into a stage for the NCSSM Gong Show. The show gave our talented students a chance to perform in front of three judges. The judges were of arraryed [sic] character, ranging from "Fair" Wilson to Zack Smith to Branson Brown. The MC, Hector Cooper, gave away door prizes for those carrying such items as earrings, cards and babies!! The Gong Show was a big success since both the entertainers and the audience had a chance to "get in on the act".
The variety of talent was astonishing. Take for instance the whistling of "Blowing in the Wind" or the Phase 3/DC, Air Band. The winners were: 1st place-Herman Coins and his friend Cynthia Besch; 2nd place-Michelle Smith and Ellis Smith; 3rd place-Clovis Peres and Eugene Murray. All the participants should be congratulated for jobs well done.
[PDA Volume 1, Number 13, March 13, 1980; Other Campus and Student Publications; NCSSM Digital Archives]
Spotify playlist of popular songs at NCSSM from 1980 to 1982
Spotify Playlist link: NCSSM82 on Spotify
(First posted by Rev. D. Keith Beasley, on NCSSM Class of 1982 Facebook page on Sept. 20, 2020.)
Can you believe it has been 40 years since we matriculated as the first class of NCSSM?
Here is an effort to try to get some memory neurons to fire.
I have put together a playlist of songs on Spotify that were popular during our time at NCSSM. These may not be your favorite songs, but they might bring to mind something about your time at S&M with your roommate, your friends, your fellow resident hall members, your instructors, the staff, a trip, the proms, the dances---whatever it may be. Please share whatever you can without incriminating yourself or others.
Remember, this playlist is still a work in progress, and I am asking all of you to help to curate this list. The stories you tell will only enhance the overall experience for us all.
Here is what I am asking of you:
First, click on the playlist...and listen...and be taken back in time.
Second, comment on this post about any music that is on the playlist. Tell us which songs you like. Tell us which songs you hate. Inquire as to why a song is included and tell why it should be deleted.
Third, please make suggestions about any songs that we should add to the playlist. Any recollection connected with the songs will be greatly appreciated.
Also, here are a few items that I had in mind as I put this together:
1 - I tried to stay within the time frame of September 1980 through June 1982 with the music initially included here. (Please note: I will not add anything released beyond June 1982, but will consider earlier material. See the next item.)
2 - I tried not to insert too many of my personal preferences in this initial playlist. I was listening to a lot of album oriented rock when I first arrived in Durham, so I did not put on here the whole pre-1980 catalogs of Boston, Billy Joel, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. (Of course, if we get the indication that these were popular enough to include, we will.)
3 - Even though we were not too far removed from the "Urban Cowboy" craze, I could not bring myself to add the Country crossovers that were trending at the time. Thus, there's no Kenny Rogers, Juice Newton, or Eddie Rabbitt. If there is desire to add these, please post in the comments.
4 - Again, there's nothing of "Grease," "Saturday Night Fever," or Barbra Streisand on the list, but if these were sung in late night gatherings in the girls' dorms, I am glad to add them. Although there are some Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow tracks included, they were added reluctantly just to recognize that your parents might have had some influence on your musical choices.
5 - All of the pre-September 1980 music I have included has some special meaning to our time at S&M. For example, "Morning Has Broken" and "You've Got a Friend" were our prom themes. I have included much of the music from the slide shows. There are staples from the dances---"Twist and Shout," "Shout," and "Time Warp."
6 - Please, please help me with any genres that are lacking. I have had a hard time trying to track down any comprehensive lists of the Rhythm and Blues Charts along with Alternative/College Radio lists. (I have managed to find some Top Songs of the year, but I hoped to dig a little deeper.)
Happy 40th anniversary to you NCSSMers.
Spotify Playlist by Keith Beasley: NCSSM82 on Spotify
********************
Popular albums and songs of 1980, 1981, and 1982
1980:
Celebrate! - Kool & the Gang
Double Fantasy - John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Arc of a Diver - Steve Winwood
1981:
Beauty and the Beat - The Go-Go's
Face Value - Phil Collins
4 - Foreigner
Bella Donna - Stevie Nicks
Hi Infidelity - REO Speedwagon
1982:
*1999 - Prince
*Love over Gold - Dire Straits
May 11, 1981 - Bob Marley dies. He died at age 36 from a melanoma that started under his big toenail in 1977.
August 1, 1981 - MTV broadcasts for the first time on cable television in the United States, playing music videos 24 hours a day. First to air is "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. The channel originally aired music videos and related programming as guided by television personalities known as video jockeys (VJs).
*******************
Google AI reply to "Who were the biggest musical artists of 198* in America?"
In 1980, some of the biggest musical artists in America included Blondie, Pink Floyd, Olivia Newton-John, and Michael Jackson. Blondie's "Call Me" topped the Billboard Year-End Hot 100, while Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall, Part II" also achieved significant success. Olivia Newton-John's "Magic" and Michael Jackson's "Rock with You" were also among the top hits of the year, according to Wikipedia.Here's a more detailed look at some of the key artists:
Blondie: Their hit "Call Me" topped the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 chart, solidifying their position as a leading act of the era.
Pink Floyd: "Another Brick in the Wall, Part II" was a major success, reaching #1 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100.
Olivia Newton-John: "Magic" was a chart-topping hit, contributing to her continued success.
Michael Jackson: "Rock with You" was a major hit for the young star, showcasing his growing popularity.
The Police: Sting and his band had the best-selling single of 1980 in the UK with "Don't Stand So Close to Me".
Kenny Rogers: He was also among the most successful artists on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US.
In 1981, some of the biggest musical artists in the US included Diana Ross & Lionel Richie, Blondie, Kim Carnes, and John Lennon. "Endless Love" by Ross and Richie topped the charts for an impressive seven weeks. Blondie had a strong year with hits like "Rapture" and "The Tide is High". Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes" was the year's biggest hit overall. John Lennon also had posthumous hits, including "(Just Like) Starting Over".
Other notable artists who achieved significant success in 1981 include:
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie: Their duet "Endless Love" dominated the charts, earning them the most weeks at #1 for the year
Blondie: They had a successful year with multiple hits like "Rapture" and "The Tide is High".
Kim Carnes: "Bette Davis Eyes" was the biggest hit of the year.
John Lennon: His posthumous release, "(Just Like) Starting Over" reached #1.
Rick Springfield: Had a comeback year, marked by the hit "Jessie's Girl".
Duran Duran: Their self-titled debut album and singles propelled them to MTV stardom.
Styx: The band's album "Paradise Theatre" reached #1, and their single "The Best of Times" hit #3.
Foreigner: Their album "4" was a commercial success, spending 10 weeks at #1.
Phil Collins: He launched his solo career in 1981, becoming one of the best-selling male artists of the decade.
Prince: His music and performance style helped him become a significant figure in American music.
In 1982, some of the biggest musical artists in America included Olivia Newton-John, Survivor, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder, and Daryl Hall & John Oates. Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" topped the Billboard Year-End Hot 100, while Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" was also a massive hit. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts' "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was another chart-topper. Other notable artists included Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder with "Ebony and Ivory" and Daryl Hall & John Oates, who had multiple top-ten hits.
Here's a bit more detail:
Olivia Newton-John:. Her album "Physical" was the #1 album of the year, with the title track being a massive hit.
Survivor:. Their song "Eye of the Tiger" from the movie Rocky III was a huge success.
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts:. "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was a #1 single and solidified Jett's place in rock music history.
Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder:. Their collaboration "Ebony and Ivory" was another memorable hit of the year.
Daryl Hall & John Oates:. They had three top-ten hits in 1982, tying for the most top-ten hits during the year.
Other notable artists:. The list also includes The J. Geils Band, Rick Springfield, The Police, Journey, Michael Jackson, Prince, and Madonna, all of whom were making waves in the music scene.
No comments:
Post a Comment