Recorded around 10/14/85 – I say “around” because the date is uncharacteristically missing. It was most likely not long after my first mixtape a month earlier because the track listing is very similar. Plus, the newest track (“Tonight She Comes” by The Cars) was released on that day making it the newest tune at the time.

This tape was made for/gifted to a friend who added more goodness (you might see the handwriting change after the Fixx songs). We shared much of the same musical taste. I was inspired by my recent purchase of the A&M Records compilation No Wave released in 1978. It included some of the tunes here, most notably Klark Kent, The Police, and The Dickies. Both of us are fans of The Who and especially Pete Townshend and his solo effort, Empty Glass from 1985. A superb album.

Steve, Bob & Rich became The Rainmakers two years after “Information” was released. The latter version of the song is shared on this mixtape. Real Life released a one hit wonder, of sorts, with “Send Me An Angel” in 1983. I purchased the 12″ single sortly thereafter which included their “Extended Dance Mix” of the song. Both are featured here.

The tape soon transitions from punky, new wavey tunes to some solid pop rock of the mid-80s. Cheap Trick was one of our faves. We had chatted with them a couple times. The first was a precursor to a KC show when they were signing autographs at the Peaches Records in Overland Park, KS in 1983. Both wearing out “Cheap Trick 81” shirts, Rick Nielson exclaimed, “Hey, the Doublemint Twins! Watch for me to do this tonight at the show…it’ll be for you!” as he flipped up both middle fingers. He seemed nice. A better interaction was when we caught the band in Warrensburg, MO in 1987. After the concert, we ran into Robin Zander downtown in the bar district. We had a great conversation and as we approached the van (wherein bassist John Brant sat), Zander informed us – in a whisper – that they were bringing back original bassist Tom Petersson. “Jon doesn’t know yet.”

Wrapping up the playlist is Jefferson Starship, another great American band. These songs and those mixtapes are the playlists of my life. When hearing certain songs, I am sent back to a memory which most always makes me smile. Keep listening and keep rocking!