With album sales sagging in 1983, KISS decided to take off the make-up.  Lick it Up was the first album and video in which the band appeared without their trademark look. They keep you guessing for the first 40 seconds of the video, only showing the band from the waist down. It looks like the guy who shot all those annoying Dockers commercials was trying to sell ripped jeans and leather pants.

About 43 seconds into the video, you want them to put the make-up back on.The only member who benefited from the loss of the makeup was Vinnie Vincent (far right in the opening sequence) because he never embraced is KISS “alter ego.” Gene was the Demon. Ace was Space Ace. Peter was the Cat. Paul was Star Child. However, Vinnie never got over the guys calling his Kiss character Transgender Crack Whore. Of course, after this video was released, that’s what the rest of the world called him!

Lick it Up is another post apocalyptic videos that were popular in the early to mid 80’s (mostly with metal bands). I remember liking it when I was in high school, but let’s face it: I was pretty much an idiot then!

WATN? Catch Gene on A&E’s Simmons Family Jewels. I love that show!

Trivia: Eddie Van Halen wanted to join KISS after Ace Frehley left. Gene Simmons talked him out of it.

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In 1983, Quiet Riot released a cover of Slade’s Cum On Feel the Noize and changed rock history. Although the band never had the love of the critics, the song became the first heavy metal single to reach the top 5 of the pop charts. The strength of the video/single took the album to #1 on the album charts, making Quiet Riot the first heavy metal band to have a top 5 hit and the #1 album in the same week. Their success paved the way for artists like Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, etc. to get regular rotation on MTV.  Thus, the hairband juggernaut can be traced to this quirky video with a guy in a Hannibal Lecter mask.

WATN? Lead singer Kevin Dubrow passed away this year, so don’t expect any new music from QR.

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Ground Breaking Video

Update: Michael Jackson’s people got YouTube to take away the embedding feature from all his videos. Nice! You would think after living in exile, he could use the publicity. Anyway, we’re revoking his groundbreaking video status. Wankers!

Billie Jean by Michael Jackson was the Jackie Robinson of music videos. It was the first hit video by a black artist on MTV.  Although it was just the beginning of his dominance of early MTV, he had already made a ton of money from his first solo album and with the Jackson 5. So, there’s really no reason he couldn’t afford pants that fit. I do like the steps that light up when he dance/walks upstairs at the hotel. I’m thinking of installing some in my house.

This video has everything -Marylin Monroe, a catchy tune, chicks in a cage, and even the drummer has both arms.  Photograph was the breakthrough single for Def Leppard, reaching #1 on the rock charts in 1983.

An odd spotlight seems to be circling the stage in the performance scenes and is a little distracting. I’m thinking the roadie might have burned a fatty before the shoot and was fascinated by the pattern it made on the floor. Also, out of nowhere, some chicks in a cage appear to the right of the stage. They really don’t add anything to the video, but it’s nice to know that the lads were giving NOW something to bitch about all those years ago.

WATN? Def Leppard continues to tour and make music. They released Songs from the Sparkle Lounge earlier this year.

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