Retro Cafe Blog: 1989

It was the last year of the '80s and my first year in Cedar Rapids. As we "celebrate" Election Day today, 1989 marked the end of the tenure of a high-profile President. My family and I left our small town confines to move to greener pastures here in Cedar Rapids. Two weeks before I started 6th grade we uprooted at the end of summer and came here.

What else happened in '89? Gas prices had risen to an outrageous $1.25 a gallon.  A sweet treat known as frozen yogurt came into prominence. The Rolling Stones embarked on their latest record-breaking "farewell" tour, in support of their album "Steel Wheels". Nolan Ryan made history at age 42 and recorded his 5,000th strikeout, and the Batman movie, starring Michael Keaton, took in a quarter of a million dollars.

Saved by the Bell changed Saturday mornings forever--and with it, came the "preppy" look.

Indiana Jones went on a Last Crusade--at least, until the next one.

On the radio, one of the biggest hits that year was from The Bangles. Girls idolized Susanna Hoffs--and guys crushed heavily on her.

John Waite joined Journey's Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon  to form Bad English and create a huge power ballad that gave dental offices their perfect commercial theme song.

Share your memories of 1989 in the comments and don't miss a full hour of music from the 1980s. Tune in for the Retro Cafe every weekday at Noon on 104-5 KDAT and keep checking back for our next featured year.

[Via 1980sflashback.com]