UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2006 Reliving the '80s: Nostalgic implementation of the '80s pop music in the media Ji Hoon Lee University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Lee, Ji Hoon, "Reliving the '80s: Nostalgic implementation of the '80s pop music in the media" (2006). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1946. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/h51a-um02 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. RELIVING THE ‘80S: NOSTALGIC IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ‘80S POP MUSIC IN THE MEDIA by Ji Hoon Lee Bachelor of Journalism University of Texas at Austin 1998 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Communication Studies Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 2006 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1436759 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. 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Thesis Approval The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas, April 12 .20 06 The Thesis prepared by Ji Hoon Lee Entitled Reliving the '80s: Nostalgic Implementation of the '80s Pop Music in the Media is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Communication Studies Examination Committee Chair {Â Dean of the Graduate College Examination Committee M em ^r Examifmion Committee Member Graduate Co culty Representative 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Reliving the ‘80s: Nostalgic Implementation of the ‘80s Pop Music in the Media by Ji Hoon Lee Dr. Anthony Ferri, Examination Committee Chair Proferssor of Journalism and Media Studies University of Nevada, Las Vegas The major focus of this thesis is the examination of the ways in which the American television, radio, and the music industry in particular are attempting to cater to the interests and demands of the resurgence of the 1980s popular music in the current decade. The current popularity of the 1980s pop music not only reflects the demographics of the audience but also the producers and executives in the media, including television, radio stations, and record companies. The phenomenon is one in which the media professionals and audience engage and re-emerge themselves in the nostalgia of their generation. To examine the re-emergence of the ‘80s pop music in the media today, a taxonomy on the notable ‘80s music-related media contents will be developed. This taxonomy helps illustrate how the various culture industries’ increasingly systematic attempts to revive the 1980s in the current decade affect the development, production, marketing, and the aesthetic form of the 1980s pop music. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... iii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Study............................................................................................................. 1 Justification for the Study.................................................................................................... 4 A Brief Look at the ‘80s Music in the Media Today....................................................... 6 How the Thesis is Structured...............................................................................................7 Definition of Terms................................................................................................................8 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ..............................................................................10 What is Nostalgia? ..............................................................................................................10 Nostalgia in the Postmodern E....................................................................................... ra 12 Nostalgia, Popular Culture, and Media ............................................................................ 13 Nostalgia and Consumer Relations in Popular M usic.................................................... 16 How Nostalgia Played Out in Popular Culture: The ‘50s in the ‘70s .......................... 18 CHAPTER 3 TELEVISION.................................................................................................21 V H l’s “1 Love the ‘80s” Series and “Bands Reunited” ................................................ 23 Reality Show Format: NBC’s “Hit Me Baby One More Time”...................................31 Advertising with the ‘80s Music and Starbucks’ “Glen” Campaign ...........................33 Summ ary.............................................................................................................................. 36 CHAPTER 4 RADIO ............................................................................................................38 Eas Vegas’ KSTJ - Star 102.7 FM ................................................................................... 40 Satellite Radio: XM and SIRIUS......................................................................................44 Summ ary.............................................................................................................................. 47 CHAPTER 5 THE RECORD INDUSTRY ........................................................................48 Compilation Compact Discs.............................................................................................. 50 Music DVDs and Live Aid Box S et.................................................................................. 53 Summary.............................................................................................................................. 57 CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................59 Assertions ............................................................................................................................ 59 Limitations ...........................................................................................................................61 Implications .........................................................................................................................62 REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................................64 VITA ...........................................................................................................................................70 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION In the decade of 1980s, there were Blondie, Culture Club, and Duran Duran, leading the new wave movement with electronic sounds and pop hooks. In the stadiums. Foreigner, Van Halen, and Journey forged a combination of power chords and sweet melodies that would be known as arena rock. For those with dancing fever, “King of Pop” Michael Jackson and “Material Girl” Madonna got them into the groove. Deep in the heart of the iimer cities. Run DMC and Beastie Boys combined fast-talking and slamming beats to create a new sound that would be called rap music. Meanwhile, back in the suburbs, the malls were filled with the sounds of everything from the danceable teen pop of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany to the pop-flavored heavy metal of Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. Outside the mainstream, Depeche Mode and The Cure brought an artsy, moody quality to pop, thereby opening the door for the rise of indie rock. Now in 2006, the times have changed. We all know the good old days of the 1980s are long gone... Or are they really?