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What is our 80′s heroes doing now?

oyvind — Sun, 03 May 2009 10:59:39 +0000

I was curious how some of my favourite bands of the 80′s were doing these days and did some searching. I was surprised to see how many of them that are still active.

Some have faded away and some have changed names but many of them are still producing music and tours. I have a feeling that I’ve forgotten some of them, so if you remember some that I haven’t searched for please let me know.

It was fun to see how different their websites are, some have genious design while others have more design than usability. Many of the ones who have useless sites have a text like ‘Site design is being updated”, but I think that was there for a few years.

Heres what I found :

A-ha
Celebrating 20th anniversary of a-ha’s first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 with a new album. http://www.a-ha.com.

Bryan Adams
Doing concerts in US, shooting photos of celebrities, tapes CMT Crossroads episode. http://www.bryanadams.com/

Alphaville
Doing concerts, but cancels, latest album in 2008. http://www.alphaville.de

Adam Ant
Not much activity, sometimes online at http://www.adam-ant.net/.

Asia
Doing lots of touring with YES, released album last year. Visited Europe this spring. http://www.originalasia.com/

B-52s
Touring US, concerts almost every day. Released Funplex last year. http://theb52s.com/

Bananarama
Soon to release a single!? Last release 2003. http://www.bananaramauk.com/

Bangles
Doing concerts on the East Coast of US. http://www.thebangles.com/

Blondie
Doing lots of shows, concert in Brooklyn. Latest release was a 30th Anniversary album 2008. http://www.blondie.net

Bon Jovi
Not much action on http://www.bonjovi.com/ . Last album 2007.

David Bowie
Tending a Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert May 2nd. http://www.davidbowie.com

Boys Don’t Cry
Some touring, new album 2009. http://www.iwannabeacowboy.net/

Breathe
Not active. Though lead vocal David Glasper is somewhat active on Myspace with a few new demos. http://www.myspace.com/davidglasper

Belinda Carlisle
Is in studio recording a new album for 2010. Doing concerts this spring and summer. http://www.belindacarlisle.tv/

Cars
Active on MySpace : http://www.myspace.com/thecarsunlocked

Tracy Chapman
Did a tour 2008. http://www.tracychapman.com/

Phil Collins
Not very active, his site at http://www.philcollins.co.uk/ is down.

Commodores
Active doing lots of appearances in US and UK. Playing at Great Falls, MT as I write this. http://www.commodoreslive.com/

Elvis Costello
Doing shows in US, releasing digital albums. http://www.elviscostello.com

Christopher Cross
Doing lots of shows and concerts in US, South America. Released an album 2008. http://www.christophercross.com/ Semiactive on Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/christophercrossmusic

Crowded House
Doing shows. http://www.crowdedhouse.com

Culture Club
No activity on http://www.culture-club.co.uk/ Boy George did some tours in 2008. New site : http://www.boygeorgelive.com/

The Cure
Did some touring 2008, new blu-ray release 2009. http://www.thecure.com/

Cutting Crew
Touring 2009. New myspace. http://www.myspace.com/cuttingcrewmusic

Terence Trent D’Arby
Now Sananda Maitreya, active on http://www.sanandamaitreya.com

Chris DeBurgh
Touring a lot 2009. Released an album 2008. http://www.cdeb.com/

Depeche Mode
In the studio working these days. Touring a lot. Released an album 2009. http://www.depechemode.com

Dire Straits
Mark Knopfler is active at http://www.markknopfler.com/ Touring US 2009.

Duran Duran
Touring a lot 2009. Released an album on vinyl 2009, all sold out. http://www.duranduran.com

Eagles
Touring 2009, US, Sweden, Norway, Finland. http://www.eaglesband.com

Sheena Easton
Did some concerts in 2008. Not much activity 2009. http://sheenaeaston.com

Electric Light Orchestra
http://www.elomusic.com/ Kelly died this february. Latest album release 2007.

Enya
Active at http://www.enya.com/ doing some tvshows. Released an album 2008.

Europe
Active at http://www.europetheband.com/ Doing tours 2009. New album 2009. Struggled with fake video on YouTube.

Eurythmics
Not much activity on http://www.eurythmics.com/ Annie is active on http://www.annielennox.com/ new collection album 2009. Dave is active on http://www.davestewart.com/

Fine Young Cannibals
Last album in 2006.

Fleetwood Mac
Touring the US 2009. http://www.fleetwoodmac.com/ New site coming up soon.

John Fogerty
Touring The US and Europe 2009. http://www.johnfogerty.com Latest release 2007.

Foreigner
Doing tours 2009. http://www.foreigneronline.com/

Peter Gabriel
Active at http://www.petergabriel.com/ Touring 2009.

Genesis
Did some tours 2008. John Mayhew passed away april 22nd 2009.

Debbie Gibson
Active at http://www.deborah-gibson.com/ Doing shows.

Lou Gramm
Active at http://www.lougramm.com/ Releasing a cd May 30th. 2009

Eddy Grant
Active on http://www.eddygrant.com/site/main.html Doing tours.

Grateful Dead
Active on http://www.dead.net/ doing tours 2009

Guns N’ Roses
Active at http://www.newgnr.com/newgnr.html

Heart
Active at http://www.heart-music.com/ Doing tours 2009.

Hooters
Active at http://www.thehooters.net/ doing tours 2009.

Billy Idol
http://billyidol.net/ Did some touring 2008.

INXS
Active at http://www.inxs.com/ new site coming up soon.

Billy Joel
Currently touring with Elton John. http://www.billyjoel.com/. Released a double cd in 2008.

Nik Kershaw
Active at http://www.nikkershaw.net/ doing shows 2009.

Kool & the Gang
Active at http://www.koolandthegang.com/ doing concerts 2009.

Cyndi Lauper
Active at http://www.cyndilauper.com touring US and Europe 2009. Latest release 2008.

Julian Lennon
Active on Myspace http://www.myspace.com/julianlennon while site is refurnished.

Level 42
Active at http://www.level42.com/ They too are refurnishing their site. Touring a bit 2009.

Huey Lewis & the News
Active at http://www.hln.org Touring 2009

Bette Midler
Active at http://www.bettemidler.com Latest release 2008

Midnight Oil
Doing some shows http://www.midnightoil.com/

Sinéad O’Connor
Active at http://www.sineadoconnor.com/ doing shows 2009

Dolly Parton
Site http://www.dollyparton.com/ is coming 2009.

Pet Shop Boys
New album release May 2009. In US only. http://www.petshopboys.co.uk

Robert Plant
Did lots of tours 2008. http://www.robertplant.com/

Pretenders
Active at http://www.thepretenders.com/

Roxette
Latest release 2008. http://www.roxette.se/

Scorpions
Touring 2009. http://www.the-scorpions.com

Paul Simon
Performing some in 2009. http://www.paulsimon.com/

Simple Minds
Performancing 2009. http://www.simpleminds.com/

Simply Red
Tours 2009 http://www.simplyred.com/

Spandau Ballet
Tours 2009 http://www.spandauballet.com/

Spin Doctors
Toured 2008 http://www.spindoctors.com/

Rick Springield
Tours 2009 http://www.rickspringfield.com/

Bruce Springsteen
Tours 2009 http://www.brucespringsteen.net

Sting
Tours 2009 http://www.sting.com/

Styx
Tours 2009 http://www.styxworld.com/

Supértramp
Not much activity http://www.supertramp.com/home.html

Donna Summer
New cd 2009. http://www.donnasummer.com/

Talking Heads
Performancing some 2009 http://www.talking-heads.nl/

T’Pau
Doing lots of concerts 2009. http://www.tpau.co.uk/

Tina Turner
Touring Europe 2009. http://www.tinaturnerlive.com/

Twisted Sister
Doing festivals. http://www.twistedsister.com/

Bonnie Tyler
Working on a new release 2009. Did some concerts in 2008. http://www.bonnietyler.com/

UB40
Tours a lot 2009. http://www.ub40-dep.com/

Tracey Ullman
Doing tvshows 2009. http://traceyullman.tk/

U2
Tours Europe and US 2009. http://www.u2.com/

Van Halen
Designs sneakers. http://www.van-halen.com/news.html

Suzanne Vega
Doing some concerts. Active on her blog http://web.me.com/suzannevega/SuzanneVega.com/Blog/Blog.html

Yes
Tours 2009 http://www.yesworld.com/

Paul Young
Latest album 2008. http://www.paul-young.com/

ZZ Top
Tours 2009 http://www.zztop.com/index.php

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R2D2 Watching out

oyvind — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:08:35 +0000

We were exploring shops in an area we hadn’t visited for ages, then suddenly I noticed the awesome R2D2 outside a clothing shop. Is it a remote camera watching? I didn’t dare to ask.

R2D2 Watching

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Optimistic roses

oyvind — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:50:14 +0000

I wonder what these roses are thinking now, something like “oh no!!! what did we do!, what time is it?”.

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My favourite song

oyvind — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:04:11 +0000

I was listening to the Norwegian radiostation P3 the other day and there was an interview with Ingrid Olava, a great singer who grew up in Lillehammer, Norway. She was asked to sing her version of “Her kommer vintern” (Here comes the winter) live, one of my favorite songs written by Joachim Nielsen in Jokke og Valentinerne. He died in 1997 of an overdose. My first thought were “good luck on going for such a great tune” and I hoped she didn’t ruin it, know the feeling?

She sat down at the piano and played this live, for me the song got a new life, I love this version. Here it is but it is in Norwegian. Do you still like it? I found a nice translation of the lyrics.

Here comes the winter, by Joachim Nielsen
Are you the kind of person who never gets a tan, and who neve really bother trying either.

Are you looked upon as a boring coward, cause you mainly avoid going for a swim

Do you have problems being around annoyingly optimistic people?, well, you’re not alone, we are lots who feel the same way

Are you the kind who likes to sit, sit inside and drink some beer, when the sun shines. Are you the type with a weakness for sports, but only on screens, and only when WE’re winning!!

Then you have problems, according to the Peanut-Brain Association , but youre not alone, we are many who feel the same..

People, I have some news for you, I must ask for the greatest silence, the wait is finally over, There’s gonna be snowfall tonight!

Here comes the winter, here comes the cold, wonderful time
Here comes the winter. Finally we can chill

Are you annoyed by people who’s always looking to impress?, If you got a fridge and a TV, then you have all it takes to live.

Here comes the winter, here comes the cold, wonderful time
Here comes the winter. Finally we can chill

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Tall Ships Races 2008

oyvind — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:17:51 +0000

I didn’t get to see much of the Tall Ships’ Races this year, I checked out some of them at the harbour of Bergen. Those ships are beautiful and all but I’ve kind of seen them before. Though in nice weather in Bergen they all look awesome. One thing I thought was fun was the visit of Hämeenmaa (02), a Finish mine layer, escort and logistical support ship. A huge contrast to the good old sailers. It participated in the Nordic Cadet Meeting (NOCA).

Hämeenmaa (02) had a turbulent birth, it was supposed to be built by Wärtsilä Meriteollisuus (founded 1834), but it went bankrupt and the project were transferred to Hollming. Hollming merged with Rauma Yards. Later it were bought by the Norwegian Kvaerner and became Aker Finnyards. Finish shipyard industry struggled as in many other Nordic countries. Power play, big money, foul play, unemployment etc but that is a different story. (My theory is that Kvaerner inserted negative expectations in 1998 to ease new purchases)

Hämeenmaa (02) were upgraded in April last year to be compatible to modern systems and to be used in international operations. It has an ice operating classification of ICE-1A and can operate around the year (check out her bow – they powerdrive the bow up onto the ice and let the ship’s weight crush the ice). The upgrade trial is active, which is why I think its fun it came to Bergen, and estimated to be transferred to service later this year. They are testing the new Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) Sonar Systems and the new South African Umkhonto-IR SAM system. It will then be used in European security operations (ESDP) and defence policy. Lets just say that it will be a very important ship in northern areas in near future. It is part of the Headline Goal 2010.

The Tall Ship’s Races are extremely popular here in Bergen, almost 100 ships attend this year with over 4000 crew members, tens of thousands visited the city centre and created an atmosphere only to be seen when we celebrate our Constitution Day. Next stop is Den Helder Holland via Fedje where the race ends.

Photo by Eivind Senneset.

Our precious local Statsraad Lehmkuhl, winner of last years Tall Ship’s Races companied by Christian Radic and Sørlandet. The little Class C there called Gediania is from Poland and were built in 1973. It has attended the races on several occasions.

Photo by Robin Strand.

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My 2008

Hot today

oyvind — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:50:39 +0000

We had 33 degrees yesterday, hasn’t been that hot in July here for 5 years. I think we’re breaking that today. Its almost unbearable in the sun now.

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Car branding

oyvind — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:21:35 +0000

When you buy a car, do you ponder about the ads on it? The carbrand itself and all the stickers and text here and there? How much do you get for it? What is the value?

You get nothing? The carbrand itself I understand, but why do we let the ones who earn billions on us use us as free advertisers? I’ve sent a few questions to some organisations where I’ve asked if they want to advertise on my car, for free. If anyone does I’m gonna rip off the ads from the company I bought the car from and replace them.

I’d like to rip off the carbrand itself as well, I don’t get any money from Toyota so why should I drive around showing off their product? It would be fun to find a cool sign to put there instead, I’m not sure how the police will react though. They use it actively when they are reporting or following cars, I can here them on the radio following me ; “we’re following eh uh silver postman pat vehicle, brand is eh batman? It seem to be sponsored by eh SOS Children?”.

Maybe I should go for an Entrecard spot on my car? hehe

Just a thought.

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Trying Zanox affiliate network

New Platform!

oyvind — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:29:51 +0000

My blogs have been down all weekend because of a messed up Windows 2003 server. I struggled getting the webserver up and today I gave up. The disks are gone as well. Luckily I had Mysql-backup so I setup up an Ubuntu-server in a hurry with Apache and Mysql. I managed to save most of my files and now my blogs are up again! Running Linux! If you find any errors please holler.

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Bye Arthur

oyvind — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:20:51 +0000

For many years Arthur’s books has thrilled my imagination and curiousity and I think he influenced the way I think of science – he had a positive attidtude towards new science and he was an optimist and a dreamer, and he loved talking about exploring the universe.

Each clear night when I study and gaze at the stars I alsways let my imagination fly, mostly with images that Arthur C. Clark helped me form in my inner space with books like Glide Path, 2001 A Space Odyssey, 2010 Odyssey Two, 2061 Odyssey Three, 3001 The Final Odyssey, The Nine Billion Names of God, Imperial Earth, The deep range, Songs of Distant Earth, Imperial Earth, The wind from the sun, Rendezvous with Rama and so on. Rendezvous with Rama the movie btw is being released 2009.

In june 1999 I joined SETI and The Planetary Society – inspired by Arthur C. Clarke, after that all my computers have been working day and night. He was a fighter for Seti and I think we can thank him that the project still gets funding.

Rest in peace Arthur, I hope you get your 3 wishes through – that we once find cleaner forms of energysources, we once find life in outer space and peace in Sri Lanka.

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Inventions I miss

oyvind — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:21:34 +0000

When I was a kid I expected to be driving flying cars by now so I am a bit disappointed. I mean, I like my Toyota, it has a fancy speedometer in the midle of the dashboard and stuff but its not really what I imagined when I dreamed of year 2000 in the 80s. I also pictured that all roads were beneath the ground to make room for all the parks. But that is a different story.

I know there are flying cars, but seeing how people drive on roads I’m not sure I would dare going outside if everyone had one. If the crafts weren’t fully automized that is. To compensate my loss of dreams coming through I at least expect that someone invented cool stuff like :

- Temperature gauge (the ones you stick in steaks to eh steak) with bluetooth! So you can monitor what you steak on your PC. Or better, so you can monitor it on your television which have bluetooth. Or cellphone! (I hereby call this iTemperatureIT just to annoy Apple in the future)

- A software on a machine that has a GPRS/3G card and a Sim which makes a video conference call to you and transmits any program that you have programmed it to send to you. You know, when you’re in that dull 3-hour meeting? Just set your home-PC to call you at 11:05 when the match begins at TV94 and you can see it on your cellphone, beautiful. (I hereby call this iTransmit2You just to annoy Apple in the future)

Any inventions that you miss?

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