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In the vibrant rock music scene of the 1980s, one band stood out with their catchy hooks, powerful vocals, and energetic performances – Foreigner. With their fusion of hard rock and melodic pop, Foreigner dominated the charts and captivated audiences throughout the decade. Let’s take a closer look at the band’s success and influence during the period from 1980 to 1989.

Foreigner’s Rise to Fame
Foreigner burst onto the music scene in the late 1970s with their self-titled debut album, but it was in the 1980s that they solidified their status as one of the era’s most successful bands.

Chart-Topping Hits
During the 1980s, Foreigner unleashed a string of hit singles that showcased their powerful sound and memorable songwriting. Songs like “Hot Blooded,” “Urgent,” and “Juke Box Hero” propelled them to the top of the charts.

Successful Albums
Foreigner released several highly successful albums in the 1980s, including “4” (1981), “Agent Provocateur” (1984), and “Inside Information” (1987). These albums showcased the band’s ability to craft radio-friendly rock anthems that resonated with fans worldwide.

Collaborative Songwriting
The band’s success was driven by the collaborative songwriting efforts of its members. Lou Gramm, the band’s lead vocalist, and Mick Jones, the guitarist and primary songwriter, formed a formidable duo that crafted timeless rock compositions.

Memorable Ballads
In addition to their energetic rockers, Foreigner also delivered heartfelt ballads that became fan favorites. Songs like “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “I Want to Know What Love Is” showcased the band’s versatility and struck an emotional chord with listeners.

Live Performances
Foreigner’s dynamic live performances during the 1980s solidified their reputation as a must-see act. Their electrifying stage presence and tight musicianship captivated audiences worldwide, making their concerts unforgettable experiences.

Enduring Popularity
Even after the 1980s, Foreigner’s music continued to resonate with audiences. Their songs have been featured in numerous films, television shows, and commercials, ensuring their enduring popularity and cultural impact.

Lineup Changes
Throughout the 1980s, Foreigner experienced several lineup changes, but the core duo of Lou Gramm and Mick Jones remained constant. These changes added new dimensions to their sound while preserving the band’s signature style.

Legacy
Foreigner’s music from the 1980s remains an integral part of rock music history. Their energetic rock anthems and heartfelt ballads defined an era and continue to be celebrated by fans and inspire new generations of musicians.

Foreigner’s presence in the 1980s music scene was nothing short of iconic. With their chart-topping hits, electrifying performances, and timeless songwriting, they left an indelible mark on rock music. Their music continues to captivate audiences, reminding us of the enduring power of their sound.

Foreigner’s contributions during the 1980s cemented their status as one of the era’s most successful and influential rock bands. You can hear Foreigner every day on BlackLight Radio.

Posted by Gene
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The Dream Academy gained popularity in the mid-80s with their unique blend of folk, rock, and pop. They released their self-titled debut album in 1985. It includes their biggest hit, “Life in a Northern Town.”

The band formed in London in 1983 with Nick Laird-Clowes and Gilbert Gabriel. The two played together previously in a band called The Act. They formed The Dream Academy after meeting a young singer named Kate St John. Laird-Clowes and Gabriel were both skilled musicians and songwriters, and St John’s ethereal vocals added a unique touch.

The Dream Academy’s music is dreamy and atmospheric, with a strong emphasis on melody and storytelling. Their songs are filled with evocative imagery and poetic lyrics. They explore themes of nostalgia, longing, and the passing of time. The band also incorporates unusual instruments into their music, such as the oboe, accordion, and mandolin.

“The Dream Academy” reached the top 20 on the UK album charts and the US Billboard 200. The album’s lead single, “Life in a Northern Town,” hit the top 10 in both the UK and US. The song struck a chord with audiences, and it has been covered by multiple artists including Sugarland and Darius Rucker.

The Dream Academy released their follow-up album, “Remembrance Days,” in 1987. It continues their tradition of melodic, atmospheric music. The album’s single, “The Love Parade,” reached the top 20 on the US Billboard Modern Rock chart. Despite the album’s critical acclaim, it did not perform as well commercially as their debut.

The band released “A Different Kind of Weather,” 1990. This third album marked a departure from their earlier sound, featuring a more stripped-down, acoustic approach. While this final release received positive reviews, it failed to gain the same level of commercial success as their earlier work.

The Dream Academy disbanded soon after. The members pursued other projects. Nick Laird-Clowes worked as a songwriter and composer, writing music for film and television. Gilbert Gabriel became a successful session musician.

BlackLight Radio proudly plays The Dream Academy’s recordings from the 1980s. Listen to BlackLight Radio by clicking the following link: https://streaming.live365.com/a62286

BlackLight Radio is proud to announce that we have begun distributing BlackLight Radio’s stream through the resources of the legendary internet radio network, Live365.

Live365 has music licensing agreements with ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, AllTrack, and SoundExchange in the United States. In Canada they have agreements with SOCAN and Re:Sound. They also have agreements with PPL and PRS in the United Kingdom.

With Live365 tracking the songs we play and the listeners we have, and reporting this to the above agencies and paying the required copyright royalty payments, we are able to legally stream to all three nations.

For our listeners, being on Live365 will provide multiple benefits. We’re streaming in mp3 instead of AAC+, which is a much more common, universally playable format. If you’ve ever had problems on a device or in a player getting BlackLight Radio to play, you’ll want to try again!

Not only that, but now you can play BlackLight Radio right from our webpage. No longer do you have to go to another site; just go to BlackLightRadio.com and click the play button… and sit back and enjoy the 80s music.

  • You can listen to BlackLight Radio at Live365.com.
  • You can listen to BlackLight Radio on the free Live365 Android app or iPhone app.
  • You can listen to BlackLight Radio on your Amazon Alexa device through the Live365 Alexa skill.
  • You can listen to BlackLight Radio through the Live365 Roku channel.
  • You can listen to BlackLight Radio through the Live365 app on your Grace Digital internet radio.

Another nice benefit if you’re looking at our website, Live365’s website, or Live365’s mobile apps, you’ll begin to see the original 7″ single picture sleeve for the song you’re hearing displayed. We’ll also display recently played tracks and picture sleeves, and you can click a link on the player to buy the song you’re hearing from Apple.

Finally, Live365 also provides us a cloud automation system that will take over if our live feed goes down, so that you should never get disconnected or not hear any music stream. BlackLight is backed up… we should basically never go down.

We’d love to hear what you think. BlackLight Radio is honored to join the Live365 community of broadcasters!

Posted by Gene
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