Def Dave's 1984

Jaksot

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  31: Repo Man 16.09.2026 48min

  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.comLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  30: Spinal Tap 09.09.2026 40min

  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
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  29: Sting's Last Show w/ The Police 02.09.2026 36min

  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.
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  28: Weird Al Yankovic "In 3-D" 26.08.2026 40min

  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.
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  27: The Grammys 19.08.2026 41min

  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/4Oj8YAEgWuxixNOfMV7qOhLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  26: Jacksons Pepsi Commercials 12.08.2026 28min

  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.comLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  25: Star Wars Broadcast Premiere 05.08.2026 49min

  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
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  24: Thompson Twins 29.07.2026 41min

  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
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  23: Footloose 22.07.2026 38min

  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
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  22: Touchstone Pictures 15.07.2026 37min

  Disney established Touchstone Pictures on February 15, 1984. This was a brand new subsidiary studio created for the purpose of releasing edgier material than Disney's typical family-friendly fare. Why did the company feel this was necessary? Did it work? What was the long-term impact? Disney expert Robert Burnett from the DockingBay77 Podcast joins me for an insightful look into this critical time in Disney's history as a movie studio.DockingBay77:https://open.spotify.com/show/6xbHEbPpkGQEjbwuOSIE6yLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  21: Scorpions 08.07.2026 35min

  "Love At First Sting" hit American record stores on February 13, 1984. It would prove to be the Scorpions' biggest success, led by the classic Rock You Like A Hurricane.Real life rock drummer James Buckley makes his return to the show to help me talk about it.Linktr.ee/DefDave
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  20: Winter Olympics 01.07.2026 30min

  On February 8, 1984, the XIV Winter Olympics got underway in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Did anyone boycott this one? Who were the breakout athletes? Which country won the medal count? How did the USA do? Did anyone make the Wheaties box?To help me talk about it, I ventured far north into the wintry lands of Minnesota and found Brad Sorensen, one of the hosts of Pop Culture Yearbook.PCY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Hc7R9J7NnuoKnbrF31YcGLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  19: NASA's First Untethered Spacewalk 24.06.2026 43min

  The Challenger Space Shuttle flew its fourth mission in February of 1984 and made history for marking the first untethered spacewalk. Astronaut Bruce McCandless demonstrated extraordinary courage with this remarkable achievement. What challenges did the crew face on this mission? What kind of military and NASA career did McCandless have? Who else joined him on the untethered spacewalk? To help me break down all the details of what was involved with this historical feat is NASA enthusiast Eric Dearth.Linktr.ee/DefDave
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  17: Whitesnake 10.06.2026 42min

  It's January 30th, and an album hits stores that many would discover years later after the band had become one of the biggest in the decade.It is "Slide It In" by Whitesnake, a band whose roster seemed to be always changing.To help me sort it all out and decide if the right songs were picked for the singles, I once again have The Celebrity Jason Colvin returning to the show.www.thesurelypodcast.comLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  16: Michael Jackson's Accident 03.06.2026 35min

  On January 27th, Michael Jackson and all of his brothers were shooting a new commercial for Pepsi when it all went horribly wrong.The biggest pop star in the world had caught on fire and suffered 2nd degree burns to his scalp. Jackson Family expert and superfan Shawn Shackleford takes time away from the MJCast podcast to tell us all about how this happened, the impact it had on the world and if there were any lingering effects the King of Pop suffered in the years after.www.themjcast.comLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  15: John Lennon 27.05.2026 38min

  On January 27th, we got a new album from perhaps the least likely former Beatle. More than three years after his tragic death, John Lennon and Yoko Ono give us the "Milk and Honey" album. Twelve tracks, split evenly between the two artists.If I'm talking Beatles, I have to bring in The Vinyl Professor himself, Chris Webre, to tell us all about it. Check Chris on Instagram: @a_vinyl_odyssey Linktr.ee/DefDave
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  14: Introducing the Macintosh! 20.05.2026 41min

  On January 24th, Apple delivers the product that Ridley Scott advertised two days earlier. A historical day for Apple and for the personal computing industry, it is the day that the original Macintosh computer hits the market!I am thrilled to have the Macintosh Librarian herself, Kate Fox, on this episode to discuss how this product came to be, its impact and its legacy.www.youtube.com/macintoshlibrarianLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  13: Marvel's Secret Wars 13.05.2026 45min

  1984 was, among everything else, a big year for comics.And January 24th saw the beginning of one of the most influential and well-remembered events in comics history.On this day, Secret Wars #1 hit comic shops and publishing history would never quite be the same. This 12-issue limited series would take up the whole year and feature characters from across Marvel's entire library, written by the editor-in-chief of the line and introduce changes to many characters.But what if it was driven by marketing and licensing instead of any kind of creative push? Would it change what you thought of it? Joe Crowe of American Sci-Fi Classics and Spartan Wrestling joins me to discuss Secret Wars!https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanSciFiClassicsLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  12: Hulk Hogan 06.05.2026 42min

  It's January 23rd and Vince McMahon has big plans for professional wrestling that will forever change the landscape of sports entertainment. The first step in his master plan is tonight's title change. Hulk Hogan, recently returned to WWF, pins the Iron Sheik and begins a long reign that will help usher wrestling into the mainstream and become a huge part of 1980s pop culture.Wrestling History expert DragonKing Karl Stern joins the show to discuss perhaps the most important figure in modern wrestling. Karl is the man behind the When It Was Cool podcast and the author of a series of pro wrestling history books.www.whenitwascool.comLinktr.ee/DefDave
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  11: Bon Jovi 29.04.2026 34min

  On January 23rd, Bon Jovi's self-titled debut album hit record stores. How did this album come about? What hits, if any, came from it? What impact did this have on 1984?I welcome back once again Jason Colvin of the Surely You Can't Be Serious Podcast to help me figure out the origin story and freshman effort from one of the most iconic bands of the 1980s.https://www.thesurelypodcast.com/Linktr.ee/DefDave