Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for Their Sponsorship of This Post, via The Magic of Patreon.
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For a start, the UK saw the end of the miners' strike, following a year of turbulence, rancour and turmoil.
Also, Mohammed Al-Fayed bought the world-famous London department store Harrods.
And, of course, Mikhail Gorbachev became General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party and, thus, leader of the Soviet Union.
But the news that really mattered was that March saw the launch of Australia's greatest and longest-running soap opera Neighbours which made its debut on the Seven Network and would go on to make international showbiz sensations of Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Natalie Imbruglia, Margot Robbie and numerous others.
When it came to the UK singles chart, the month kicked off with Dead Or Alive's You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) at Number One before that had to make way for Easy Lover by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins.
On the accompanying album chart, March began with Phil Collins' No Jacket Required on top until it was forced to subside before the might of Paul Young's The Secret of Association.
But that's not all because we also encounter an interview with movie director and future BBC Two Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox who, to the surprise of absolutely everyone, talks about his film Repo Man.
There's also a preview of the serial Timelash.
And there's a look back at the 1960s story Enemy of the World which was, in 1985, believed to be forever lost.
And, in it, Slaymaster delivers the defeated Captain Britain to Vixen. But, hooray, the good Captain manages to escape!
But it does raise the question of did Captain Britain in this era ever actually manage to win a fight?
Next, we find John Tomlinson and Jeff Anderson's Paragon of Painthorpe Street: Episode 3.
That's followed by Night-Raven's encounter with Gang Rule.
And that's followed by Dalek killer Abslom Daak in Deathwish.
While the Freefall Warriors complete the issue by starring in a tale called Recruitment.
Inside this barbaric publication, we encounter Part 2 of Marvel's take on Conan the Destroyer in which our hero escorts Jehnna to retrieve the horn of Dagoth. An act which leads to all kinds of bother for all concerned.
Then, there's the 3-page text article The Art of a Warrior, brought to to us by Pete Scott, featuring images by Frank Frazetta, John Buscema and Barry Smith.
Next, we discover the latest instalment of Magik in which Belasco trains Illyana in magic.
Marvel Showcase brings us a five-page Simon Jacob short called There's a Demon in Wardour St.
The ever-busy Night-Raven's up against The Visitor.
And King Conan finds himself confronting The Black Sphinx of Nebthu, thanks to the talents of Thomas and Buscema.
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20 comments:
I really like that Dead Or Alive single. It stands apart from nostalgia and over-exposure and badly remixed 21st century re-issues, it's just a mental, fun record.
Can't say the same for 'Easy Lover' though. I really liked Collins' 'Sussudio' though.
I didn't realise Paul Young even had a second album in the charts in 1985. I guess he wanted to get some more product out there FAST because - and I only found this out recently - he had to sit out most of 1984, which would surely have been a peak year for him, as he'd damaged his voice.
Paul Young used to live in my current neck of the woods, apparently.
I had that Starburst, but I wouldn't have read it as I had no interest in 60s SF TV. It just seemed boring. I've come round to its charms a bit as I've gotten older but as a teen it seemed the province of old people (ie people over thirty).
I had that CapBrit, and yeah - that's a nice cover - but I'd lost interest in the contents. It must have been habit / fear of missing out that kept me buying.
Did anyone start watching Neighbours immediately? I admit I had a phase but it was 1987-1988, after it had properly bedded in. I'm not proud of it, either.
Matthew, I think I started watching Neighbours in the autumn of 1988. The main storyline, at that point, was the local teenagers being convinced Mrs Mangle had murdered her husband.
Rancour during the Miner’s Strike? I like rancour. I should have put down the comic books and paid more attention!
'Venus' by Bananarama is supposed to be 'You Spin Me Round' remixed at a different speed!
I remember more 1985 songs than any other year.
Matthew, I didn't start watching Neighbours immediately, either. It may have started in Australia in 1985, but maybe not over here. I remember watching Neighbours after moving to a new school for the 6th Form, in Sept '86. So, I maybe started watching Neighbours in the last quarter of '86 - but more likely 1987, like yourself. Maybe nothing to be proud of; but it's the personal memories (what you were doing, etc) that you associate with tv shows - & music - of the time, not just the pop culture in & of itself.
My brother may have had that Captain Britain. Originally, Slaymaster was a composite character/villain. He combined aspects of the Hitman, Bullseye, Tarantula, & Batroc. So him here appearing almost monster-like, doesn't make sense to me.
Phillip
You Spin Me Round is one of my favourite songs of the entire 1980s!!
I never watched Neighbours but I did watch Home And Away for a couple of years.
Charlie had to play you spin me round like a record on the YouTube, as he could not place the song. But Mrs. Charlie knew it right off the bat and was belting it out! Awesome!
Steve,
Neighbours only lasted 4 months on Channel 7 before being cancelled, but was then relaunched on channel 10, where it remained for most of its run. It actually launched in Britain in October 1986, and I remember watching the first episode in the lunch room of my new job as a trainee Chartered Accountant (not as exiting as it sounds). The first episode introduced Daphne as the stripper at Des’s stag night. Spoiler, Des is jilted and eventually marries Daphne (who had then quit the stripping game). It’s easy to spot the channel 7 to 10 swap, as Jason Donovan took over the Scott Robinson role.
Despite any evidence to the contrary, I was only a passive viewer and only for the first couple of years, however a year after I emigrated (mid 90s), I did once recorded a few week’s episodes onto VHS, which I took home to the UK during a visit. The episodes were still a year, or so, ahead of those being broadcast on the BBC and that VHS tapes proved a surprisingly valuable commodity. I believe it passed through several dozens of homes before finally degrading from over use. Things you don’t imagine will have value…
I did have Captain Britain #3 and was still enjoying it. I think its main failing was not being as good as the Alan Moore run, but how many comics ever were?
DW
Exciting and record. D’oh
DW
Marine Le Pen banned from running for office for five years after being found guilty of embezzlement!!
Zut alors, Colin! I wonder if that will be as effective in keeping her out of office as legal action against Trump was...
Steve, it was disappointing to see the miners finally defeated, although I suppose after the summer of '84 it had become increasingly obvious that would be the likely outcome.
The year of the strike was probably the major turning point in the post-1945 history of the UK. Apparently Grimethorpe in South Yorkshire - where very nearly half of all workers had been miners in the early 80s - is still the most deprived town in Britain.
-sean
Matthew, I'm pretty sure I've never seen a whole episode of Neighbours. Or Home & Away (I did watch a fair bit of Prisoner Cell Block H though, but that was later in the decade).
Btw, on the subject of the mid-80s you may be interested to know - if you don't already - that a couple of ZTT comps are coming out on Records Store Day in just under a couple of weeks. One of Propaganda P-Machinery/Frozen Faces mixes, and another by the Art of Noise, mostly (I think?) made up of 'Moments in Love' versions.
-sean
Even if Le Pen is allowed to run for the presidency again she'll probably only get around a third of the vote which seems to be her ceiling of support. I'm pretty sure most French voters would regard her as a crank who'd wreck the economy.
Today (April 1st) is exactly 50 years since the first episode of classic ITV drama series EDWARD THE SEVENTH starring Timothy West as Edward and Annette Crosbie as Queen Victoria.
Have a good one Steve, what ever it is you're doing today.
-sean
Thanks, Sean. :)
Happy Birthday, Steve - it's a good job Sean reminded us all! At least you've got a sunny day for it!
Phillip
Happy birthday, Steve - I assume it was a bit embarrassing having a birthday on April 1st when you were in school? A girl in my class called Elaine Gough had a birthday on April 1st but she was the sort of girl who'd kick your teeth in if you made fun of her.
Is Trump delaying his "Liberation Day" tariffs bonanza until tomorrow to avoid April Fools Day?
Happy birthday Steve
DW
Happy birthday big Steve! I am sending you a no prize for this achievement!
CH
Charlie, DW, Colin, Phillip and Sean, thanks for the birthday wishes.
Colin, having a birthday on this particular date could prove to be a bit trying, back then. Fortunately, I had a friend in the same class who was also born on the same day. So, at least the burden was shared.
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