The "old days" now include the 80's? Say it ain't so!

Until now, I've been somewhat reassured about the "oldies" were. Most radio stations draw the line at 1979.

I've sensed it coming, though. Some of the mainstream "alternative rock" stations have a Retro 80's Hour, but I've always excused it away.

At least the music is still hip enough for the mainstream. It's not like 80's music is on the "oldies" station along with Joe Cocker, Iron Butterfly, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

But this, this...

Now the IHTOV is lumping fans of bands like Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, INXS, and U2 together with the David Cassidy crowd?

Easy there, big fella...perhaps you should try a different and more objective perspective. If it's on vinyl, then it's fair game (and we'll conveniently ignore the new vinyl releases by those who are trying to look retro-chic). That eliminates all value judgments about who should legitimately be placed in which category.

I have record albums from the 80s (Michael Jackson's "Thriller" comes to mind); none from the 90s. AFAIK, there weren't any, except for those aforementioned coattail riders.

My own personal cutoff is around 1987, mainly because that was the year I got my first CD player; however, I'm still buying vinyl, even today.

Personally, I don't think "oldies" shows should be programmed on the basis of demographics at all - if this stuff is as timeless as we say it is, it should appeal to audiences of any age whatever - but then again, I don't work in radio, and with attitudes like that I never will.

I believe there is a quite distinct quality to music of the late 60's early 70's. The Vietnam war, of course, being the major influence, as well as America's civil rights coming of age. I count myself as fortunate to have been a teen during these years. What a ride!

Cowtown Pattie, Amen! It was a fortunate time to be a teenager.

Speaking of that era, IHTOV (and I bet no one else in this forum does) ... "Jimi Hendrix Christmas Album"

"Jimi Hendrix Christmas Album"?

Nope, that's a new one for me. Next thing you're going to tell us is that you've got Celebrate Chanukah with Black Sabbath on vinyl!

Eric, there really was such an album. It was a promotional release back in the late 70s. I received it from - I think - Warner Brothers while writing for "Albuquerque Music Scene" (a wonderful, but short-lived print venture in New Mexico).

The story is that Hendrix showed up early for a recording session. While warming up - it being nearly Christmas - he worked his way through a number of seasonal songs, concluding with "Auld Lang Syne." Sound engineers used it to set their levels, and the tapes were rolling. It album was released posthumously.

Now that I once again have a record player, I'm able to play it again, along with my other records from the Dark Ages. The boys love listening to "those big black CDs."

Jeff, this is a great story and I think you should submit it to Michele over at IHTOV. I suspect it's exactly the kind of thing she'd like to include on her new site.