Advertise on podcast: Def Dave's 1984

March 13, 1984 saw the release of the biggest album in the career of The Cars. Quintessential 80s new wave synth pop produced by Mutt Lange, this album is packed with classic hits like "Magic" and "You Might Think". Returning to help me talk about it is, of course, this show's official Pop Girl, Kathy Bright. Linktr.ee/DefDave

1984 was the year of the most successful album The Cars would ever have. "Heartbeat City" is packed with pure 80s New Wave. The Official Pop Girl of the show, Kathy Bright, returns to help me talk about it.

On the same night Splash opens in theaters, March 9th, we also get Children of the Corn, the first of two Stephen King adaptation to reach movie screens in 1984. Returning to the show to help me talk about it is Jeff Johnson from the A Film By... podcast. afilmbypodcast.com

This fish out of water comedy made an unexpected splash at the box office when it opened on March 9. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, this inaugural effort from the newly formed Touchstone Pictures finished the year in the top ten. How well does it hold up? Is it still funny? How did they achieve the mermaid effects? Most importantly, does Amber like it? That's right, the Voice of Reason herself, Amber Lewis of the DockingBay 77 Podcast makes her first appearance on this show to help me talk about it. #TeamAmber https://dockingbay77pod.buzzsprout.com/ Linktr.ee/DefDave

In 1984, TSR rolled out their brand new Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Dragonlance. It would debut as a series of game modules and before the year was over we would have a Dragonlance novel, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, the first of literally hundreds. Dragonlance was, and remains, a huge success and one of the most popular fantasy settings of all time. To help me talk about it is Adam from the amazing "DLSaga" YouTube channel.

Among the highlights of what was happening in the world of comic book publishing in 1984 was Walt Simonson's run as writer and artist of The Mighty Thor from Marvel. Starting in late 1983, Simonson spent four years in charge of the Asgardian's adventures in a creative run that is widely considered the best Thor ever got in its entire history. To help me talk about it is professional comic book inker Bob Almond (Warlock and The Infinity Watch, Black Panther). Be sure to check the YouTube Channel for the bonus video where Bob Almond shares much more about his career in comics, including his involvement with the Black Panther movie premiere. www.youtube.com/@DefDave1984

This Is Spinal Tap was not the only cult movie to open on March 2, 1984. We were also given the bizarre sci-fi punk rock comedy Repo Man, starring Emilio Estevez. The epitome of a cult movie that has only grown in its reputation over the decades. It has proven surprisingly influential. To help me discuss this strange, one-of-a-kind film, John Reid from the 30something Movie Podcast makes his return to the show. 30podcast.com Linktr.ee/DefDave

March 2, 1984 was a Friday and that means new movies opening at your local theater. On this date, director Rob Reiner introduced the world to a new genre: the mockumentary. This Is Spinal Tap, a perfect send-up of heavy metal and just rock bands in general, has only grown in its cult status. To help me talk about this beloved gem is Dayton Johnson, the host of The DockingBay 77 Podcast. https://dockingbay77pod.buzzsprout.com/ Linktr.ee/DefDave

1984 saw the end of the Synchronicity Tour, which would prove to be the final tour for The Police. What were the dynamics tearing the band apart? How much longer would they stay together after this tour? How could they walk away at the peak of their success? To help me answer these questions and a whole lot more, I welcome back to the show the Barrister of the Bayou, rock drummer James Buckley.

1984 saw the smash hit career breakthrough album for Weird Al, "In 3-D". This is the album with Eat It, I Lost on Jeopardy and so many others. I'm thrilled to have as featured guests, Weird Al superfans Dave Rossi and Ethan Ullman from the "Dave & Ethan's 2000-inch Weird Al Podcast". Get out your accordion, your cuisinart, and the lousy copy of your home game and join us for the fun.

The 26th Annual Grammys were held on February 28, 1984. It was a night honoring the music and artists of 1983 and is considered by some to be the best Grammys ever. Someone wearing a single sequined white glove might have set a new record for Grammys won in a single night. But this mysterious Gloved One might not have won Song of the Year. Returning to the show to help me run down all the big winners of the night is Jim Butler, co-host of the Children of the 80s podcast. Children of the 80s: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Oj8YAEgWuxixNOfMV7qOh Linktr.ee/DefDave

The Jacksons reunited in 1984 for a new album and tour, but the year started with the filming of a pair of Pepsi commercials. We all know how disastrous that proved for Michael, as we discussed in an earlier episode of this show. But February 26 was the date that these commercials debuted. There was vast interest surrounding them due to the accident Michael had suffered and he was still riding high off the success of Thriller. In what programming did the spots debut? What future star also features in one of the commercials? What soft drink was the choice of a new generation? To help me answer these questions and discuss everything else about these enormous TV spots at the height of the 80s Cola Wars, Shawn Shackleford of The MJCast returns to the show. themjcast.com Linktr.ee/DefDave

Star Wars made its premiere on network television on February 26, 1984. CBS marketed it heavily and gave it a deluxe presentation, but it did it even win its time slot? Which of the film's stars introduced segments? Which high profile commercials were moved to debut during this broadcast? To help me sort through it all and reminiscence on the most significant movie of our childhoods is Mean Mark from the Canadian Movie Crew, the folks who give us the "Or Is It?" podcast. Linktr.ee/DefDave

February 17, 1984 also saw the release of "Into the Gap", the most successful album The Thompson Twins would ever have. They enjoyed their highest chart success with singles like "Hold Me Now" and "Doctor Doctor", both from this album. This episode also introduces Kathy Bright to the show as the official Pop Girl of Def Dave's 1984. She's here to help me discuss this classic album of British new wave synth pop that so perfectly represents one of the iconic sounds of the 80s. Linktr.ee/DefDave

Inspired by a true story, Footloose hit theaters on February 17, 1984 and proved to be a huge hit, finishing in the top ten at the box office for the year. Lindsay Butler, co-host of the Children of the 80s Podcast, joins me for a look at the movie. I don't think we make it clear in the episode, but we will dedicate an entirely separate episode to the Footloose soundtrack album later. Linktr.ee/DefDave