1989 is obviously last in this particular decade and the news had its ups and downs. The Ayatollah Khomeini had a $3 million bounty on author Salman Rushdie. 1989 saw the Hillsborough disaster where 96 Liverpool fans lost there lives at the Sheffield Ground. We also saw live coverage of the Tienanmen Square massacre in Beijing where protesters stood up to the Army amongst the biggest civil disturbance seen in China.
There was a disaster on the River Thames in London where 57 died when the Marchioness collides with a barge. 1998 also saw the release of the Guildford Four following there conviction on IRA bombings some 14 years previous.
Eastern Europe was also changing and Romania executed there dictator leader Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena. Also the Berlin Wall was open for people to travel freely and was eventually knocked down by a united Germany.
The UK singles chart was monopolised by a group of producers who enjoyed 7 number ones in 1989. They were Stock Aitken and Waterman (SAW). There hit factory produced so much music that the charts were becoming there own.
Music was being categorised and with the advent of SAW, they could appeal to a broad market from young kids, teens, Mums and Grans. As a result the traditional group seem to be lost in the shake up and in fact in 1989 you could argue only 3 groups hit the top. The Bangles with Eternal Flame, New Kids on the Block with You got it and Simple Minds with there first UK number one single Belfast Child which went on for nearly 7 Minutes.
2 Dance collaborations also hit the top with Londons Soul to Soul melodic Back to Life and this was backed by Black Box Ride on time which went on to be the biggest selling single of 1989.
There were further gathering of the troupe's when Scouse Legends The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney and Gerry Marsden went to the top with Ferry across the Mersey which was produced by SAW. Also Band Aid 2(effectively the new pop generation) released Do they know its Christmas which was produced by SAW also enjoyed the top spot. Also 1989 saw a group of musicians turn old 1950s music into the 1980's. Jive Bunny for there crimes released Swing the mood, That's what I like and Lets party and all went to the top but at least they gave SAW some competition.
Duets also enjoyed some success with Kylie and Jason heart warming Especially for you which went top and was produced by SAW. Also we saw the unusual combination of Marc Almond and Gene Pitney go top with something gotten hold of my heart. Although contrasting voices it did work and the public thought so.
The solo artists were to enjoy the lion share of the success. Jason Donovan Matched Jive bunny with 3 number ones with his Kylie duet under his belt he went on to record further success with Two many broken hearts and sealed with a kiss (produced by SAW). Kylie also had a top hit with Hand on your heart and the cheeky scouser Sonia also went to the top with You'll never stop me from loving you (Produced by..you guessed it SAW). Also Madonna endured a controversial year and it didn't help with the release of Like a prayer but she had the consolation it went to number one. Also Rochdale's Lisa Stansfield classic all around the world also enjoyed success at the top to cap a fine year and a definite change in music genre from the early eighties.
Did You Know?
James Brown got 6 years in Jail following a lengthy Police chase across two states.
Pepsi drops Madonna in following the release of the Like a Prayer promo. They feared religious groups would boycott Pepsi.
Sky TV launched.
Deaths in Music
Pete de Freitas the drummer with Echo and the Bunnymen died in a motorbike crash.
Irving Berlin the Composer and Lyricist died at the grand age of 101.
Alan Murphy the guitarist with bands such as Kate Bush, go west and Level 42 died of AIDS.
Ewan MacColl the folk singer and father of Kirsty died.
The album charts was the same as the singles as solo artists enjoyed large success. Roy Orbison legendary album kicked things off and other senior artists also enjoyed the number one accolade. Paul McCartney Flowers in the dirt and Tina Turner foreign affair struck one for the old brigade. The gravel voice of Chris Rea and his road to hell drove all the way to the top and Phil Collins but seriously also made a dent on the number one slot.
Holly Johnson debut album Blast did exactly that and went all the way. The second album is sometimes a problem if the first one was good. However, Tracey Chapman bucked the trend with Crossroads. The artist known as Prince at the time also went to the top with his Batman soundtrack. Gloria Estefan enjoyed the album chart top spot with not one but two albums. Anything for you and cuts both ways finding there way to coveted top spot. Jason Donovan was enjoying rich success and his album Ten Good Reasons enjoyed two spells at the top and was the biggest selling album of 1989.
The groups also had success and Erasure joined the Gloria Estefan bracket with two number one albums The Innocents and Wild. Manchester's Simply Red released A new flame and this album enjoyed three spells at the top during 1989. Another Mancunian band New Order recorded success with Technique. Established acts were not to be outdone. Simple Minds released Street Fighting Years and this went straight to number one, Queen the Miracle also went top and Eurythmics We too are one also went to one!
Fine young cannibals were moving dance floors and the raw and the cooked helped even the most wooden dancers to move there feet ( I include myself in that bracket). Tears for Fears were enjoying a purple patch and the songwriting was rewarded when the seeds of love went to number one.
Deacon Blue were just breaking into the mainstream and some catchy tunes helped the cause from the album When the world knows your name went to number one. Wendy James rebel look got her noticed and her band Transvision Vamp went to the top with the Velveteen album. The album number one saw two contrasting albums from London. Soul to Soul matched the single success with the Club classic album and the London stage cast went to the top with the Aspects of Love soundtrack. How could you define the eighties. I will try later on!
Recommended Listening/Purchasing
Cuts both ways - Gloria Estefan
Ten good Reasons - Jason Donovan
Technique - New Order
A new flame - Simply Red
When the world knows your name - Deacon Blue
Velveteen - Transvision Vamp
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