I can’t sing (well).
I can’t play an instrument.
And though I can write, I have never written about music.
However, I love music. Especially ‘80s music.
How much?
This much:
1988. Black jean jacket and high school gym shorts. I am sorry.
So I am following up the oral history of superhero entertainment of my formative years with an oral history of music videos of my formative years…which happens to overlap with the formative years of music videos themselves.
born 1981
In other words, “Where Are They Now?: 1980s Video Vixens Edition.”
This blog shares stories behind the stories I write; with this series, it’s more broadly about stories behind stories that have inspired me to write stories. I can’t write with music on, but music injects me with a certain passion—a rhythm, even—I call upon, in silence, when writing.
(And running. I am still bummed that Nike does not still run its Run Hit Wonder race, which I did in New York in 2004. A Flock of Seagulls’s “I Ran [So Far Away]” was a highlight...naturally.)
But no one-hit wonders here.
These are the videos, by year, whose famous faces/crushes for countless teens I interviewed (links/posts will become active one per day starting tomorrow):
1983
- Huey Lewis and the News, “Heart and Soul” and “I Want a New Drug” (1984) – Signy Coleman
- Journey, “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” – Margaret Olmsted Menendez (+ BONUS: Steve Perry, “Oh Sherrie” [1984] – Sherrie Swafford)
1984
- ZZ Top, “Legs” and others – Wendy Frazier, Kymberly Herrin, Danièle Arnaud
- Don Henley, “The Boys of Summer” – Audie Lenkov (Audie England)
- Huey Lewis and the News, “If This Is It” – Janet Cross, Sandra Wilder
1985
- a-ha, “Take On Me” – Bunty Bailey
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Don’t Come Around Here No More” – Wish Cohen (Louise “Wish” Foley)
- Bryan Adams, “Summer of ‘69” and others – Lysette Anthony
1986
- Robert Palmer, “Addicted to Love” – Julie Pankhurst, Patty Elias (Patty Kelly), Kathy Davies, Mak Gilchrist, Julia Bolino
- The Outfield, “Your Love” – JoAnn Willette
1987
- Lou Gramm, “Midnight Blue” – Traci Lind
1988
- Michael Jackson, “Smooth Criminal” – Kelley Parker
1989
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Free Fallin’” – Devon Kidd (Devon Jenkin)
Most of these former starlets were pretty tough to find and have never been interviewed about their videos. (The VH1 series Where Are They Now? featured two episodes on this subject. None in this feature appeared on “Video Vixens 1” [season 2, episode 8, 7/28/00], and only two here, Signy Coleman and Bunty Bailey, appeared on “Video Vixens II” [season 2, episode 24, 11/28/00]. I made those exceptions because their videos are two personal favorites.)
Similarly, I did not include video stars who are now household names (Courtney Cox, Christie Brinkley, Tawny Kitaen, Helena Christensen) or who have been well-covered elsewhere (Ola Ray, Jeana Ellen Keough [Jeana Tomasino], Lillian Muller, Betsy Lynn George).
Some of the thirteen videos profiled here were regulars on big-brand “best music videos” lists, back when they used to make “best music videos” lists:
“Take On Me” (almost always in the top 50)
- #8 VH1 Top 100 Music Videos of All Time (2001)
- #9 Rolling Stone Top 100 Music Videos (1993)
- #14 MTV 100 Greatest Music Videos of All Time (1999)
- #35 MTV 500 Greatest Videos of All Time (1997)
- All-TIME Best Music Videos (2011; 10 per decade, unranked within each decade)
“Addicted to Love” (almost always in the top 50)
- #8 MTV (1999)
- #30 VH1
- #43 MTV (1997)
“Don’t Come Around Here No More” (sometimes in the top 50)
- #14 Rolling Stone
- #43 VH1
- #79 MTV (1997)
- #85 MTV (1999)
- TIME
“The Boys of Summer”
- #23 Rolling Stone
- #53 VH1
- #67 MTV (1999)
- #94 MTV (1997)
“Legs”
- #22 MTV (1997)
- #96 VH1
“Free Fallin’”
- #56 MTV (1997)
“Summer of ‘69”
- #161 MTV (1997)
“I Want a New Drug”
- #166 MTV (1997)
Conversely, “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” has been called (unfairly, I say) one of the worst videos ever made.
Curiously, Patty Elias’s ex-husband wrote the MTV theme, which makes them an MTV power (ex-)couple like no other:
Warning as you proceed into the series (and therefore the ‘80s): more mustaches than you remember.
Three of the most pressing questions of the ‘80s music landscape will be answered in this series:
- Who is Josie (from “Your Love”)?
- Who is Annie (from “Smooth Criminal”)?
- What happened to Sherrie Swafford (from “Oh Sherrie”)?
Three of my (many) favorite comments (to find out who said them, stay tuned):
- “I got rock-star-by-proxy status.”
- “We were dangerous ornaments.”
- “Me in a music video in a negligee was not a topic of conversation at the dinner table.”
Three fun facts you get right now:
- Two “Huey girls” (Janet Cross and Signy Coleman) dated Don Henley.
- Signy knew both Janet and JoAnn Willette.
- Janet is the great-great granddaughter and Margaret Olmsted Menendez’s father said she is the great-great niece of Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted. What are the chances that FLO would be related to not one but two video vixens?
Bonus fact:
- The video for “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield does not have a girl in it.
Three I found who responded to my interview request although they normally don’t:
- Patty Elias
- Traci Lind
- the first person on the next list…
Three I found who chose not to participate:
- Steve Perry, “Oh Sherrie” (1984) – Sherrie Swafford (she respectfully declined a full interview but did give me permission to share a brief update)
- The Cars, “You Might Think” (1984) – Susan Gallagher
- The Moody Blues, “Your Wildest Dreams” (1986) – Janet Spencer-Turner
Sherrie Swafford; “Oh Sherrie”
Susan Gallagher; “You Might Think”
Janet Spencer-Turner; “Your Wildest Dreams”
Three I wanted to find but haven’t…yet:
- Night Ranger, “Sister Christian” (1984) – Annie Hubbard
- Cinderella, “Shake Me” (1986) – name unknown
- Richard Marx, “Should’ve Known Better” (1987) – name unknown
Annie Hubbard; “Sister Christian”
name unknown (but not Amanda Peet!); “Shake Me”
name unknown; “Should’ve Known Better”
To quote the Moody Blues, “I know you’re out there somewhere.”
Three matters of housekeeping:
- I conducted the interviews between January and July 2013.
- Stills from videos are copyright their respective labels. I got permission to post all previously unpublished images; if you want to repost, please do the same by asking me first. You know the music business does not tolerate piracy.
- I am crowdsourcing to add to this series. See next...
THREE REQUESTS (and please lend a hand no matter when you’re reading this):
- TWEET to help me find the three I didn’t; this can work!; simply copy and paste any or all of these pleas (character count is Twitter-ready, but once pasted, you may need to delete extra spaces):
Real research question: if you know the Annie Hubbard who was in 1984 Night Ranger video “Sister Christian,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman
Real research question: if you know the woman—even just her name—in 1986 Cinderella video “Shake Me,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman
Real research question: if you know woman—even just her name—in ‘87 Richard Marx video “Should’ve Known Better,” pls contact @MarcTNobleman
- SHOW LOVE: if you want Susan and/or Janet to reconsider, say so in comments below; perhaps an outpouring of interest will persuade them
- VOTE: tell me in comments below who you would like me to next find and interview?
First up: Huey Lewis and the News, “Heart and Soul” (1983) and “I Want a New Drug” (1984).
32 Comments on The Girl in the Video: original interviews with icons of 1980s MTV, last added: 8/10/2013
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This is incredible! I can't wait to read all of the updates. I've been looking forward this ever since you started dropping hints/asking questions on facebook.
What an awesome idea. I can't wait to read it all. Keep me updated!
There was to a girl in the Jessie's Girl video. She appears with actor Steve Antin. Why would there not be a girl in the video?
Anonymous - thanks for catching that goof. I swear when I watched the video on YouTube while prepping this series, those scenes with the girl were not in it. I'm baffled.
But glad to be corrected. Now I have to try to find her. Thanks.
Hey Marc! This is a fantastic project and I can't wait to see more of the interviews. I blogged about it over at http://aeiouwhy.blogspot.com/2013/07/remember-that-girl-in-that-music-video.html
Dex - huge thanks for your support!
Great idea. I would love for you to find the girl in the Rod Stewart video for Lost In You. Not the main girl, but one of the strippers who performs, the one with fantastic butt. If you are familiar with the video you will know who I am talking about.
Best news ever!1
Since you asked for suggestions, now here is my request of finding more video lovely ladies: Steve Miller Band "Bongo Bongo". Check out the video and you will be enchanted. (The song is a great dance tune as well!)
Thanks for the suggestion (and kind words), wuenchdog. I had not heard of (or at least didn't remember) "Bongo Bongo." You can SMELL the '80s on that video!
Dude,
Awesome blog idea! I can't wait to read these.
Nice work on this. Keep the 80s alive!!!
I have always been in love with one of the girls on the Damn Yankees video "Coming of Age". She's the black haired tall girl who says her name is "Maybe". Any idea what her name is or maybe do an interview? Thanks.
I would love to know the identity of the lovely dark-haired beauty from Bryan Adams' song "Cuts Like A Knife." I've done some basic research in the past, but it's clear that you have the appropriate level of skill and passion to tackle this task. I'll keep my fingers crossed and will love to learn about the backstory. -- Paul from Vientiane, Laos
Thanks Paul. Her name is Raquel Pena and she is included in the book I WANT MY MTV: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuts_Like_a_Knife_%28song%29. Perhaps she should have a longer interview though...
Hmmm how about the girl in "what it takes" by aerosmith or "forget me not" by bad english
Incredible and wonderful idea! Love everyone of your interviews, it is great to know about this video girls! Will help u as I can to share your info about these missing ladies! I have Rock Radio Show in México, called LiquidRockExa and will do a special show with this topic and speaking about you and your work! Felicidades amigo!
Incredible and wonderful idea! Love everyone of your interviews, it is great to know about this video girls! Will help u as I can to share your info about these missing ladies! I have Rock Radio Show in México, called LiquidRockExa and will do a special show with this topic and speaking about you and your work! Felicidades amigo!
Liquid Rock EXA - I would be so thrilled if you'd spread word any way you can!
You see the three I am looking for, plus also the woman/anyone from:
"Jessie's Girl" (Rick Springfield)
"Tell Her About It" (Billy Joel)
"Centerfold" (J. Geils Band)
All help appreciated!
Wow, this is great! I still watch a lot of 80's music videos and always wondered why they don't have a website like imdb for music videos. The closest I've found is mvdbase.com but it only shows the crew, not who was in the video.
Keep up the good work, I'll keep checking back for updates! This is so cool!!!
BTW here's a suggestion: the girl in George Harrison's "Got My Mind Set On You". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipt1_N-6cl4
i♥80s - thanks! And thanks for the suggestion, which no one has made yet. Added to the list!
Great list and idea! What about the woman in "Come On Eileen"? I think I read somewhere where she was the sister to one of the members of Bananarama...
Thanks! As it happens, emailed "Come On Eileen" woman today for round 2.
Hey Marc, I have a hard rock request for you. Can you track down the woman who played the "alpha female" in Motley Crue's "Looks That Kill" video?
"Looks That Kill" - She may have already been covered (vaguely remember seeing this video mentioned in I WANT MY MTV or elsewhere), but I have added it to the list.
According to imdb, the name of the "alpha female" from the Looks That Kill video is Wendy Barry. Still, it would be interesting to hear if she remembered anything about the shoot, or if she's got any stories to tell. Thanks again, Marc. This is some great work you've done.
Thanks for this GREAT work !!!!!!!
Marc there are some suggestions:
- Vinnie Vincent invasion's That time of year video
- The KISS "Lick it up" wild girls
- The KISS "All hell's breaking loose girls"
- Motley Crue's "Look that Kills" girls
Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!
sounds interesting but YouTube says can only view on a windows PC? Can't view it.
This is an outstanding idea, and I'm glad you're taking on such a daunting challenge.
The one interview I would have really loved to read unfortunately can't happen. The lovely artist/musician Jayzik Azikiwe, who was "Rollergirl" in Dire Straits' "Skateaway" video, passed away years ago. Would it be within the structure of this project to talk to her family perhaps?
Here are a couple others I'd be curious to hear the stories of:
Avery Summers and Kim Silvers - Mike Nesmith's "Cruisin' [Lucy and Ramona and Sunset Sam]";
Shari Shattuck - .38 Special's "Caught Up In You";
And meanwhile, I'm sure you've read the long strange story of the search for the girl from Men Without Hats' "Safety Dance", ultimately revealed as Cosmopolitan UK editor Louise Court earlier this year.
I saw you were Tweeting with Steve Lukather from Toto, how's the search for the girl from the "Africa" video going? You should also look for the girls that were featured in the "Pamela" video.
Thanks Marc. Added to the list of potentials. No luck yet on "Africa."
Great idea, 1 teeny tiny little suggestion: why not have a Table of Contents for the interviews, attached either to the masthead or the sidebar. It gets old having to scroll down & choose the women by the video they were in.
Thanks for the suggestion, Dagny, but not sure I follow. This post contains the table of contents...?