Ghomeshi - 1982

1982

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First published 2012

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Copyright Jian Ghomeshi, 2012

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LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION

Ghomeshi, Jian

1982 / Jian Ghomeshi.

ISBN 978-0-670-06648-3

1. Ghomeshi, Jian. 2. Iranian CanadiansBiography. 3. Popular music fansCanada Biography. 4. Popular musicCanada19811990. 5. Music, Influence of. 6. Nineteen eighty-two, A.D. I. Title. II. Title: Nineteen eighty-two.

ML3534.6.C2G56 2012 780.92 C2012-905011-3

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FOR MOM AND DAD

PROLOGUE

Lets emphasize all the mistakes.

DAVID BOWIE, ON SWEDISH RADIO, 1982

Nineteen eighty-two was a big year. Really big.

You might not think so. And you might wonder about my qualifications for making such a declaration. You might not think any single year is deserving of too much attention.

Then again, if you do want to champion one twelve-month period, you might contend that it should be some other year. Im anticipating this. For instance, you might be all Team 1991! Thats the year Nirvana released Nevermind and ushered grunge music into the mainstream and started a new generation of non-Canadians wearing plaid shirts (in Canada we already had the outfit). That was a big year. Or you might lobby for 1945, because that was the year of the final battles of the European theatre of World War II, as well as the German surrender to the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. Indeed, 1945 was also a big year. Mind you, Ive never been so sure of that term, theatre of war. Doesnt the word theatre connote artifice or entertainment? As a way to refer to scores of actual young dudes far from home, trudging around in shit and killing each other, its a bit optimistic, isnt it? But the term sounds impressive. And it sounds smart to pick a year like 1945. Its got gravitas and the end of a war. Nineteen forty-five is definitely in the up-market aisle when shopping for a year.

So then you wonder, why 1982? There was no armistice or Nirvana. And you might chuckle at the idea that 1982 merits a book unto itself. The 1980s are still considered a bit of a joke dressed up in oversized shoulder pads. Even one of the most populist spokespeople of the era, the Bangles Susanna Hoffsis there a more sage authority?has said, The fact that the 80s are now a beloved era is shocking.

And you might think all of this 1982 business is an attempt at irony. You might be tempted to roll your eyes at the thought. But in case you think Im kidding about 1982, Im not. And actually, theres intra-80s competition about this stuff, too. As time passes, self-satisfied observers of late-twentieth-century history continue to focus on another year: 1984. Well, damn that 1984. Its been fawned over for decades. Theres no denying 1984 was huge. It had important Orwellian overtones and was the year Prince released Purple Rain. That was big. But 1982 came before 1984. And sometimes the opening act doesnt get as much credit as it deserves for warming up the crowd. Who will speak for 1982? I will.

The thing is, 1982 was a lot more than just the debut season of Remington Steelealthough I know that impresses some of you enough for me to stop right there. In 1982, the Commodore 64 computer was introduced, Ronald Reagan had survived being shot, poisoned Tylenol capsules killed seven people, the Falklands War started and ended, Michael Jackson released Thriller, Canada repatriated its Constitution, and the first compact disc was sold in Germany.

And thats not all. Over the course of 1982, I blossomed from a nave fourteen-year-old trying to fit in with the cool kids to something much more: a nave, eyeliner-wearing fifteenyear-old trying to fit in with the cool kids.

To be quite honest, this pivotal period of my teens doesnt seem so far away. I can still channel the angst over wanting a Clash T-shirt to help me fit in. Not that I havent grown past that feeling. I have. I think. Okay, so maybe I feel the need to be wearing my old Clash T-shirt right now. It makes me almost cool. Stop staring. And in the immortal words of the unevenly talented 80s duo Tears for Fears (Roland was the talented one and Curt was just cute), the scars linger.

But Im no longer a teen. And Im beginning to learn that 1982 was a long time ago. Its sinking in every time some freshfaced hipster asks me if Ive ever heard of Kate Bush. These kids now dont get it. They either dont know the references or they think of them as vintage. Theres even a whole world of young adults running around thinking of the 1980s the way we used to think of the 60s. Old. Well, actually, old but also fascinating, and a bit zany. Its just like the feeling you always get watching those black-and-white sex films from the 1920s. I mean, if those films exist. Like, in theory.

The 80s are now so long ago that those of us who were alive back then risk getting that glazed-over look of nostalgia in our eyes when we think about it. You know, the way older people get.

The way some very nice but earnest Boomers like to remember seeing the Beatles for the first time. These Boomers will familiarly reminisce about seeing the Beatles or Stones whether they actually saw them or not. And they probably didnt. But they will say things to each other in public as if they did.

Oh, honey, remember the second time we saw the Stones and you got really stupid high with Julie?

You see, Boomers will say these things because they know no one will ever check. And if you try to verify dates or details, they will tell you they cant remember, because they were stoned, or drunk, or too excited, or it was too long ago. And the point is just that. Its far off enough in history that no one cares if they were actually there to see Ruby Tuesday performed live. And thenand this is the important part the Boomers will get a wistful look about them and mutter something about 1967. They might use the word innocent. Boomers talk about the past and get nostalgic for a less confused timean innocent time.