Batman Craze Lives On

What musical group or song has had the Batman Craze Lives On ip! Pow! Bam! Batman will be remembered Nicholson, in the minds of many, steals the most impact on you during the past year as one of the biggest flicks of the summer of show. His incredible portrayal of the evil, and and why? 1989. The controversial $35 million ex- deadly, Jokzr left audiences stunned. The Joker is travaganzaz opened to sold out audiences around easily Nicholsons most evil character to date, and, 'Come to me,' from Les Miserables has the country June 29. for just that reason, Nicholson loved the part. He Much of the controversy surrounding the film said the character allowed him to dig deeply into changed the way I view my life. It's sung by a was sparked by the casting of Michael Keaton as his soul and see how much evil really lurked inside mother who has worked her whole life to sup- the famous flying mammal. Batfans screamed. of him. port her daughter. The mother is dying and Batfans cried. Batfans wrote more than fifty thou- Since the fimls release, it has become obvious sand letters of protest to Warner Brothers Studios. that early fears about Batfans staying away in knows this. In the song, she gives her daughter Even high-ups within Warner Brothers lobbied droves were unfounded. The movie opened to sold to the girl's long-lost father. When I experience against Keaton as Batman, one going so far as to out crowds around the country in June, and quick- something bad I think of this song and realize say the studio would be brought crashing to its ly shot to number one at the box office. Merchants knees. But, when moviegoers saw Keaton in full quickly picked up on Batmans success, and began how trivial my problems are." regalia on the big screen, they saw a man trans- to seel Batman novelties, toys, calendars, and - Cindy Shirkey, '93 formed. Michael Keaton was Batman. clothing. "Edie Brickell's "Nothing because it makes me think realistically. Knowing nothing is far worse than bad news. People need to talk Comeback Groups more. We are always working out the serious Wave Of Nostalgia things and fighting over nothing." Returns - Kristy Magiera, '92 n the rock music scene in 1989, as Rolling Why We Listen Stone magazine so aptly put it, "what is "'We Didn't Start the Fire' has had the most 0 old is gold." In the past twelve months, a Students' Reason Vary rash of great old bands have reappeared on the impact on me because it is musical genius and concert circuit. We have seen the return of Jeffer- it has social commentary. The lyrics of the t seems as if the music preferences of most college son Airplane, Cream, and the Doobie Brothers. song are sophisticated and well thought-out. students are beginning to reflect not only an awareness The Steve Miller Band, The Allman Brothers, and The social comment of the song, that we are of socio-economic problems, but also an understanding The Bee Gees made a come back as well. And, I who can forget the fabulous reunion tours of The trying to ameliorate problems in the world, is of what mature, well-written music is all about. Rolling Stones, and The Who? positive and inspiring." Some of the more popular artists on campus frequently A wave of nostalgia has been sweeping the seem to be those who make social commentary. Many stu- country, and has been responsible for much of the - Diane Hajicek, '93 dents listened to U2 and Tracy Chapman, along with Sting, renewed interest we are seeing in bands from six- whose song "They Dance Alone," refers to Chilean courting ties. Yuppies, who grew up listening to what we "'Trouble Me' by 10,000 Maniacs . This dance performed by the wives of prisoners of war. Billy today call "classic rock," are eager to recapture song shows the spirit of what the world needs. Joel's latest album, "Storm Front" saw its first release, "We the sounds of their youth. The young people of our Didn't Start the Fire," reach the top of the charts and be generation want a taste of that "good ole rock 'n It talks of sharing problems with one another. applauded by many for its timely social statement. Fresh- roll' that is becoming more and more common on If everyone would share their problems, peace man Tania Snyder stated, "He is an incredible musician the radio nowadays. And, as the concert tours of this past summer show, the bands are more than could be in our future." with a very versatile style. He effectively captures his own willing to provide music lovers with what they -Kim Fox, '92 experiences in his lyrics, which makes his music much more want to hear. authentic than other artists." What has been drawing the bands back to the Students also seem more aware of music as an art, and concert stage? Several of the groups broke up have increasing respect for performers who produce well- more than a decade ago. Many of the bands that written music. Sophomore John Allemier said that "the stayed together haven't toured in years. Yet still Quad City Symphony and Mahler's 2nd symphony have they are coming back in droves. One motivation, Spike Lee Film Addresses had the most impact on me because I studied it for a class and probably the most obvious, is money. When and had to attend every rehearsal. It is a good piece that Pink Floyd reunited and toured in 1987, the band conveys a lot of emotion." Because many students have pulled in a whopping $27 million in just 23 cities. Racial Issue Aerosmith and The Grateful Dead toured that been interested in good musicianship, some have returned year as well, and took in at least $20 million a to listening to classic artists such as the Police, Genesis, Led piece. The tours of The Rolling Stones and The In the past few years, there has been ingrained bigotry. Sal, for instance has Zeppelin, the Eagles and the Rolling Stones. The music of increasing talk about racial prejudice in pictures of only white, Italian sports he- Who, this year, are expected to make the tours of this country, and others. A movie re- roes on the wall of his place. Despite these artists has proved its merit by withstanding the test of '87 look insignificant by comparison. leased at the end of last summer ad- requests from some of his black patrons, time. This awareness also explains the high praise given to Financial gain, though, is not the only reason dressed the issue. he refuses to put pictures of black sports new albums that display the artist's talents in variety of the bands are coming back on to the scene. Band Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" is a stars on the wall. ways. Tears for Fears' latest, "Sowing the Seeds of Love", is members, the majority of which are from the "nev- movie about, in Lee's words, "festering Lee is basing much of his storyline on one example of a recent effort that has been applauded for er trust anyone over thirty" generation, want, like racial hatred" in this country. It is a the events that took place in Howard its diversity of musical style. the yuppies that follow them, to feel young again. movie that portrays black Americans Beach, a neighborhood of Queens, New For some, social commentary and good musicianship are The old musicians need to know that they still pushed to the outermost limits of toler- York, in 1986. Three black men were have that elusive quality needed to send an audi- both important. Senior Paul Donaldson stated that the ence into firebreathing orgasm. If the Rolling ance. The action is set during one twenty attacked by a mob of white youths wield- group Take 6 had impacted him with their song "Spread ing tree limbs and baseball bats. Many Stones and Who concerts of this past summer are four hour period in the black Bedford- Love," "because of the lyrics: 'What the world needs now is Stuyvescent section of Brooklyn. The see the events that took place in Howard any indication, they do. love sweet love' and because of the incredible musical talent story revolves around the black charac- Beach as symbolic of the growing unrest One last thought to ponder. College students are ter, Mookie, who is an employee at Sal's over racial injustice in this country. As displayed in the group." at about the same age now as our parents were Lee puts it, "Black folks are tired of Although progressive groups, such as New Order, Minis- when these old bands first appeared on the scene. Famous Pizzeria. Sal's is run by a white Opposite page, top: Students at Augie have varying music tastes, as shown by the many disks and tapes shown. Top right: Italian family. Though not openly racist, being killed." He gets this point across try, Depeche Mode, Erasure and The Cure continue their We know the enthusiasm that the older generation Jack Nicholson's memorable performance as the Joker helped make Batman a success at the Box Office. Above: The feels for their music, but will the music that is Sal and his boys are all archetypes of very strongly in his film. popularity, along with the dance music of Bobby Brown and Roiling Stones, along with several other groups, launched a comeback tour in 1989, after a lapse of eight years.

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