News
J. Geils Dead at 71
J. Geils, the guitarist and leader of the J. Geils Band, has died according to reports from WCVB TV Boston. John Warren Geils, Jr. was reportedly found dead at his home in Groton, Massachusetts.
The local police department advise that foul play is not suspected at this time.
Geils formed the J. Geils Band in 1967 believe it or not! Their debut self-titled album was released by Atlantic Records in 1970.
They released a total of 11 studio albums, including their 1982 chart-topper “Freeze-Frame”. That album also included their biggest single “Centerfold,” which spent six weeks at No. 1.
The band broke up in 1985, though they reunited off and on throughout the years but Geils left the band for good in 2012.
RIP
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New Smartphone App
We, at onlythe80s.com, are in the final stages of developing a smartphone app to compliment this site.
At this stage, the app will be only for Android based devices with iOS devices targetted for 2015.
Now for some input from our visitors – What would YOU like to see in the app? Leave a comment below.
RIP Casey Kasem
image source: wikipedia.com
US radio personality Casey Kasem, has died at the age of 82.
“Early this Father’s Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends,” his daughter, Kerri Kasem, said in a statement posted online.
“Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken.”
Depending on what generation you grew up in, you either know Casey for American Top 40 franchise which he founded in 1970, or for providing the voice of Norville “Shaggy” Rogers in the Scooby Doo franchise from 1969 to 1997, and again from 2002 until 2009. He was a legend in both.
For me, even though living in Australia, I remember listening to the American top 40 every week. Casey had a distinct and very likeable voice.
Do you remember Casey Kasem as the voice of Shaggy, or perhaps as host of the American Top 40? Have your say and leave a comment below.
Sydney Monorail closing down
After nearly 25 years of operation, which started off amid much controversy because of it’s eyesore, the Sydney Monorail makes it’s last journey this weekend.
The monorail’s first voyage was back on July 21, 1988, and was the free to ride for the first two week’s of operation. The first day was not without drama – hundreds of protesters swarmed the Sydney Town Hall and Queen Victoria Building demanding its removal.
Some trivia about the Sydney Monorail System:
In 1985 when the project was approved, 12 millions visitors a year are forecast. 25 years later it is actually around 4 million.
Operating speed of the trains – 33kph (20mph)
1995 – The monorail starred beside the heroes in the Mighty Morphan Power Rangers movie.
2010 – In February, a train crashes into a stationary train at the darling park station
Fare Price – in 1996 it was $3 for a single ride, in 2013 it is $5
Where is the monorail going? It has been rumoured to have been bought by the Tasmanian government to link Hobart’s waterfront to the CBD
Below are some photos taken earlier this month. Unfortunately the day chosen was not ideal – there was much rain.
