Phil Collins, Elton John, and Gloria Estefan dominated Adult Contemporary radio back in the 1980s and '90s, yet have disappeared from modern radio. Seemingly, the only time you ever hear them is at the grocery store or your local CVS. This blog remembers the music, the stories and the quirky characters from my days working in Adult Contemporary radio.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Belinda Carlisle "Leave A Light On"
R.A.D. wasn't just a bad '80s catchphrase, it was a Public Service Campaign called Rockers Against Drugs. The foundation aired a series of television commercials featuring artists like Lou Reed, Ted Nugent and Belinda Carlisle who warn of the dangers of drugs. In Carlisle's infamous PSA, she walks along a beach while admitting she looked into the mirror one day, decided she was sick of doing drugs and, in turn, "now life is a beach". Carlisle later admitted she still did cocaine when she filmed that R.A.D. video and continued abusing drugs for years--it wasn't until a fateful three-day binge in 2005 that caused her to seek help. She claims to be drug-free today and is surprised she still has nostrils. Lovely.