Throwback Thursday: '80s Action/Adventure Theme Songs

📆 Originally aired: December 13, 2016
🎙️ Hosted by Paul Stroessner | Co-host: Robert Mishou | Special Guest: Jim Vilk

We’re revving up the nostalgia machine and heading full throttle into the golden age of TV intros—the action-packed, high-octane theme songs of 1980s television!

In this retro gem from the vault, I’m joined by our original co-host Robert Mishou and long-time Return to the '80s contributor and friend Jim Vilk, who’s been part of our crew since the early blog days. (Jim even wrote the popular piece One-Hit Wonders? Not Level 42! – check it out here)

🎵 Main Topic:
We each picked three unforgettable ‘80s action/adventure TV theme songs that left tire tracks on our hearts—and made sure to include at least one “must-have” anthem per round. You’ll hear about:

• The Fall Guy

• The Dukes of Hazzard

• Hardcastle & McCormick

• Simon & Simon

• CHiPs

• Voyagers!

• Matt Houston

• Call to Glory

• The Greatest American Hero

And of course, we all agreed on these iconic themes:

• Magnum P.I.

• The A-Team

• Miami Vice

🎶 Plus, we introduced a fun new segment: Play This, Not That – thanks to Jim!

🕊️ And we paused to pay tribute to several legends we lost around the time of this recording:

• Margaret Whitton (Major League)

• John Glenn, American astronaut

• Joseph Mascolo, best known as Stefano DiMera on Days of Our Lives

📩 Let’s hear from you!
Did this episode bring back memories? Could you see the visuals in your head as the theme songs played? We’d love to know your favorite ‘80s action/adventure TV themes—and if you want a Part 2!

Email me at paul@genxjourneys.net
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And remember...

Embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future.

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💡 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it with a fellow GenXer—let’s keep this community growing!

🎤 Until next time—embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future!

Throwback Thursday: '80s Sitcom Theme Songs

Episode Title: ’80s Sitcom Theme Songs (Originally aired: Oct 13, 2016)
Cohost: Paul Stroessner & Robert Mishou

Description:
We're cranking the dial back to 2016—and even further back into our childhoods—for a look at some of the most iconic sitcom theme songs of the '80s! In this special Throwback Thursday re-release, I’m joined by my original cohost Robert Mishou as we each share our top 5 sitcom themes and talk about why they’ve stood the test of time.

🎵 From the heartfelt (Growing Pains) to the hilarious (Alf), the funky (Diff’rent Strokes) to the unforgettable (Cheers), these tunes weren’t just intros—they were part of the show’s identity. And yeah… I even let Robert sneak in Fresh Prince. 😄

At the time of recording, the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot was just about to hit theaters, Stranger Things had exploded, and Bon Jovi was releasing This House Is Not for Sale. The '80s were already making a comeback—and we were all in.

💡 Note: The episode ends a little abruptly, as we originally transitioned into a full Ghostbusters follow-up that sadly never aired due to a massive audio glitch. (RIP, lost episode.)

We Want to Hear From You!
What are your favorite sitcom theme songs? Drop a comment on social, DM me, or shoot an email to paul@genxjourneys.net. Whether it’s Family Ties, Perfect Strangers, or a hidden gem—we want to know!

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🌎 Connect with Me

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💡 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it with a fellow GenXer—let’s keep this community growing!

🎤 Until next time—embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future!

Throwback Thursday: Rubix Kube and Trixter

🎙️ Throwback Thursday – My Backstage Interview with Rubix Kube + Steve Brown & PJ Farley of Trixter!
📅 Originally recorded: April 21, 2018 | 🎧 First aired: April 28, 2018

This may just be my favorite interview ever.
Why? Because I got to go backstage with my all-time favorite '80s tribute band Rubix Kube—and interview two absolute legends from the rock world: Steve Brown and PJ Farley of Trixter. 🤘

The night was electric, the energy was contagious, and the conversations? Unforgettable.

🎤 Interview Part 1: Rubix Kube
I sat down with the band’s powerhouse vocalists Cherie and Scott, and their insanely talented drummer—and my good friend—John, one of the band’s founding members.
We laughed a lot as they shared:

• How Rubix Kube came to life

• The creativity behind their costumes and show designs (Scott inherited some Muppet magic from his dad, an original Henson puppeteer!)

• A moving tribute to their late bassist David Z, whose tragic loss is still deeply felt in the music world

🎸 Interview Part 2: Steve Brown & PJ Farley (Trixter / Rubix Kube)
Then I had the surreal experience of chatting with Steve Brown, who has literally filled in for Vivian Campbell in Def Leppard—sitting on a backstage couch with him was one of the biggest highlights of my podcasting career! He shared what it was like to play with the legendary band during Vivian’s cancer treatment, and though he didn’t mention it at the time, just months later he’d return to the stage with them again, covering for Phil Collen.
PJ Farley also jumped in to talk about their shared journey in Trixter. They had a platinum selling debut album just as grunge was about to hit. But each album they have done has just gotten better and better. They also speak about collaborating with Eric Martin of the band Mr. Big.

💥 It’s two interviews in one jam-packed episode full of energy, stories, laughs, and heartfelt moments. If you love the ‘80s, live music, and behind-the-scenes rock tales, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now and relive this epic night with me!

Throwback Thursday: The Breakfast Club

🎙️ Throwback Thursday – The Breakfast Club (with Lizzie Newton)
📅 Originally aired: May 10, 2019
🎧 Re-released: April 11, 2025

Description:
It’s Throwback Thursday time! This week, we're rewinding to a special in-person crossover episode recorded with my good friend Lizzie Newton, originally released in 2019. Lizzie and I teamed up for a nostalgic deep dive into one of the most iconic Gen X films of all time—The Breakfast Club.

But before we get to detention with the Brat Pack, I reveal the long-awaited results of our Phil Collins March Madness tournament! Sixteen songs entered... one classic emerged victorious. Can you feel it coming in the air tonight? 🥁

Then, we kick things off with concert stories—Rubix Kube for me, Cher for Lizzie—before diving into the movie that defined a generation. Believe it or not, this was Lizzie’s first time watching The Breakfast Club, and her fresh take alongside my nostalgic memories made for an awesome conversation.

Whether you’re a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal—you’re gonna love this one.

In this episode:

• 🏆 Phil Collins March Madness – Full bracket breakdown & the winning song

• 🎤 Concert talk: Rubix Kube (Paul) & Cher (Lizzie)

• 🎬 The Breakfast Club – first impressions, favorite moments, and what it still teaches us today

• 🧠 Why the characters (and archetypes) still resonate with us decades later

💡 Connect with GenX Journeys

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📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
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Throwback Thursday – Phil Collins March Madness

Originally aired: March 31, 2022

It’s the final installment of our Return to the ’80s March Madness series! For our 5th Annual Tournament, we focused on the solo hits of the legendary Phil Collins—no Genesis tracks here, just 16 powerhouse songs going head-to-head in a Sweet Sixteen-style bracket.

And yes, a couple of early-’90s singles made it into the mix—Something Happened on the Way to Heaven and I Wish It Would Rain Down—but since they’re from his 1989 album ...But Seriously, they earned their place.

Matchups include classics like:

• In the Air Tonight vs. One More Night

• Sussudio vs. Don’t Lose My Number

• Against All Odds vs. I Don’t Care Anymore
  …and more!

This episode also features a fun collaboration with Gill from RealWeegieMidget Reviews, who reviewed Phil’s film Buster, which gave us two songs featured in the tournament. Check out her review here:
🔗 Buster (1988) Review – RealWeegieMidget Reviews

🎤 Previous March Madness Champions:

• 2018 – Out of Touch (Hall & Oates)

• 2019 – Purple Rain (Prince)

• 2020 – Crazy for You (Madonna)

• 2021 – I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Whitney Houston)

🗳️ Voting took place on the blog, Twitter (@Returntothe80s), and the Return to the ’80s Facebook group.

🔥 Stay tuned next week for our Breakfast Club episode, where the Phil Collins tournament results will be revealed!

🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes
🔹 Get your daily dose of ‘80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page

💡 Connect with GenX Journeys

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net
📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys
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🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on:
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💡 Whether you’re a die-hard ‘80s fan, a nostalgia lover, or just someone who enjoys a great book club discussion, this episode is packed with fun, wisdom, and plenty of throwback vibes.

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with fellow GenXers!

Throwback Thursday: Whitney Houston March Madness Tournament

Originally released on May 7, 2021, this episode was an absolute rollercoaster! Between scheduling struggles, technical mishaps, and some hilarious behind-the-scenes chaos, this one took a little extra effort to bring to life. But in the end, it turned out to be an absolute blast!

🎤 In this episode, we discuss:
✅ The Whitney Houston March Madness Tournament and its wild journey
✅ Instant tournament results—since someone (ahem, me) forgot to hit record the first time we did this 🤦
✅ Fun discussions on Whitney’s music videos, album covers, and the magic of liner notes
✅ A special slow-dancing moment with Robert “Kool” Bell of Kool & the Gang (spoiler: it wasn’t me, but I had my own fun interaction with him!)
✅ Plenty of laughs, a lot of nostalgia, and—of course—the crowning of the ultimate Whitney Houston song!

🎧 Listen now and relive the tournament!

🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes
🔹 Get your daily dose of ‘80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page

💡 Connect with GenX Journeys

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net
📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
📘 Facebook: GenX Journeys
🎥 TikTok: @GenXJourneys

🎧 Subscribe to the GenX Journeys Podcast on:
✅ Apple Podcasts
✅ Spotify
✅ iHeartRadio
✅ Podbean
✅ PlayerFM

💡 Whether you’re a die-hard ‘80s fan, a nostalgia lover, or just someone who enjoys a great book club discussion, this episode is packed with fun, wisdom, and plenty of throwback vibes.

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with fellow GenXers!

Throwback Thursday: Madonna March Madness

March Madness is back, and this time, we’re putting the spotlight on the Queen of Pop herself: Madonna! 👑🎤

Back in 2020, while the world was on pause, Return to the '80s March Madness kept the spirit alive by diving into a head-to-head battle of Madonna’s biggest hits. And to make things even more fun, I was joined by my very good friend Lizzie Newton, an ‘elder Millennial’ and massive Madonna fan, who brought a fresh and exciting perspective to the tournament.

Not only did we break down each matchup, but we also recorded this one in person—turning it into a full-on listening party! 🎶💃 I had my laptop out, playing the songs as we went, so you’ll notice a different audio setup than usual, but trust me—it adds to the vibe!

🔥 In this episode, we cover:
✅ The Sweet Sixteen matchups for Madonna March Madness
✅ Some fun insights and banter on each track
✅ The ultimate question—which song should take the crown?
✅ PLUS—I reveal the results of the 2019 Prince March Madness Tournament! 🎤👑

📣 Tune In Next Week!
Next week, I’ll be announcing the results of the Madonna March Madness Tournament, right before we launch into Whitney Houston March Madness—so don’t miss it!

💡 Connect with GenX Journeys

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net
📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
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Throwback Thursday: Prince March Madness

It’s that time of year again—March Madness! But we’re not talking about basketball here. Oh no, we’re diving into our very own Return to the '80s March Madness music tournament! 🎶🏆

Now, if you’ve been with me for a while, you might remember that this all started back in the blog days when we kicked things off with Hall & Oates. It was such a blast that I decided to keep the tradition alive, and in 2019, we brought the tournament to the podcast—starting with none other than Prince.

That’s right—His Royal Badness is taking center stage today! I put 16 of Prince’s biggest hits head-to-head in a bracket-style showdown, and you, the listeners, got to vote on which ones moved forward.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my good friend Del Roehling, and we’re breaking down all the first-round matchups. We’ll talk about the songs, share some Prince trivia, and debate which tracks deserve to advance.

But here’s the deal—I won’t be revealing the results just yet! You’ll have to tune in to the next episode to find out which songs made it to the next round.

So, let’s take a look at our matchups:

🎤 Bracket 1:
(1) When Doves Cry vs. (16) Batdance
(8) I Would Die 4 U vs. (12) Delirious

🎸 Bracket 2:
(4) Little Red Corvette vs. (13) Alphabet St.
(5) Sign ‘O’ the Times vs. (9) Raspberry Beret

💜 Bracket 3:
(2) Purple Rain vs. (15) Pop Life
(7) U Got the Look vs. (11) Take Me With U

🔥 Bracket 4:
(3) Let’s Go Crazy vs. (14) I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
(6) 1999 vs. (10) Kiss

Whew—what a lineup! Some of these matchups are brutal. How do you even choose between Purple Rain and Pop Life? Or When Doves Cry and Batdance? But that’s the fun of it!

So, grab your raspberry beret, lace up your purple boots, and let’s get this tournament started! 🎶🏆💜

🎙️ Del Roehling (Host of 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM)
🔹 Tune in to 80s at 8 for all your favorite throwback tunes
🔹 Get your daily dose of ‘80s news on the 80s at 8 Facebook page

💡 Connect with GenX Journeys

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net
📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
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Throwback Thursday: The '80s Cruise 2023

🚢 All aboard! With this year’s ‘80s Cruise setting sail this weekend, we’re throwing it back to one of our favorite episodes from 2023!

In this episode, Del and I are joined by two of our absolute favorites—Claire Young and Caroline Connelly—who had just returned from that year’s epic voyage. They gave us the full rundown on:

🎸 Incredible live performances – The music was nonstop, with legendary ‘80s acts bringing the nostalgia to life.
🎭 Outrageous costumes and themed events – Because what’s an ‘80s Cruise without neon, leg warmers, and some truly unforgettable outfits?
🧠 Trivia battles and celeb encounters – From testing their ‘80s knowledge to rubbing elbows with some of the decade’s biggest stars, Claire and Caroline had stories for days!

But, as always, we took a few fun detours along the way, chatting about:

🏆 Ke Huy Quan’s emotional Oscar win – A moment that had us all cheering!
🎥 Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny trailer – Back when we were filled with anticipation (and just a little skepticism) for Indy’s return.
💡 And plenty more ‘80s goodness!

So whether you’re about to board this year’s cruise or just love living vicariously through those who have, this episode is the perfect way to set the mood. Let’s go back to 2023 and jump right into the conversation!

If you're interested in future '80s cruises, go to the site https://the80scruise.com/

Del can be found on the show 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM as well the 80s at 8 Facebook page where he posts 80s news.

💡 Connect with GenX Journeys

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net
📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
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Throwback Thursday: Remembering Prince 🎸☔

🎤 Originally Released: May 1, 2016
🎙 Episode 2 of Return to the '80s

On April 21, 2016, the world lost a musical icon—Prince. Originally, my co-host Robert and I planned to cover Fast Times at Ridgemont High as our second episode. But with the shocking news of Prince’s passing, we knew we had to dedicate this episode to celebrating his legendary career.

In this special re-release, Robert and I reflect on Prince’s impact, legacy, and the unforgettable music he left behind. We also each share our top five Prince songs—some classics, some deep cuts, all incredible.

Join us as we honor The Purple One, reminiscing about the music that shaped a generation and continues to inspire today.

💜 What are YOUR favorite Prince songs? Let me know in the comments or on social media!

💡 Connect with GenX Journeys

🌎 Website: GenXJourneys.net
📩 Email: paul@genxjourneys.net
📺 YouTube: @GenXJourneys
📷 Instagram: @GenXJourneys
🐦 Twitter/X: @Returntothe80s
📘 Facebook: GenXJourneys
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👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow GenXers who are ready to rediscover, reinvent, and thrive!

Listen & Subscribe!

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Throwback Thursday: Crushes 'n' Ballads

Welcome to a new episode of Return to the '80s! This Valentine's Day week, the gang talks about their '80s crushes and '80s ballads. This is sort of a sequel to Episode 10 from 2017, which did not include ballads, and an #80sCrushes Crossover event from that same week. Please comment below with you're favorite crushes and ballads. In the meantime, enjoy this show!

Round 1

Caroline
Crush: Patrick Swayze
Ballad: "She's Like the Wind" by Patrick Swayze

Claire
Crush: Keanu Reeves
Ballad: "Careless Whisper" by Wham!

Del
Crush: Sheena Easton
Ballad: "Always" by Atlantic Starr

Paul
Crush: Whitney Houston
Ballad: "The Search is Over" by Survivor

Round 2

Caroline
Crush(es): The Coreys
Ballad: "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera

Claire
Crush: Saul Hudson (aka Slash)
Song: "Patience" by Guns n' Roses

Del
Crush: Phoebe Cates
Ballad: "Lady in Red" by Chris De Burgh

Paul
Crush: Ally Sheedy
Ballad: "Open Arms" by Journey

Round 3

Caroline
Crush: John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler
Ballad: "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship

Claire
Crush: Nikki Sixx
Song: "Home Sweet Home" by Mötley Crüe

Del
Crush: Elisabeth Shue
Ballad: "I'll Always Love You" by Taylor Dayne

Paul
Crush: Irene Cara
Ballad: "Truly" by Lionel Richie

Round 4

Caroline
Crush: Tom Cruise as Joel Goodson
Ballad: "Meet Me Half Way" by Kenny Loggins

Claire
Crush: Keifer Sutherland as David from The Lost Boys
Song: "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler

Del
Crush: Carrie Fisher
Ballad: "Groovy Kind of Love" by Phil Collins

Paul
Crush: Mary Stuart Masterson
Ballad: "Through the Fire" by Chaka Khan

Round 5

Caroline
Crush: Christian Slater
Ballad: "You Got it All" by The Jets

Claire
Crush: Sebastian Bach
Song: "I Remember You" by Skid Row

Del
Crush: Cheryl Ladd
Ballad: "You're the Inspiration" by Chicago

Paul
Crush: Paula Abdul
Ballad: "I'll Be There For You" by Bon Jovi

Del can be found on the show 80s at 8 on 91.1 WEDM FM as well the 80s at 8 Facebook page where he posts 80s news.

And you can follow GenX Journeys at:

GenXJourneys.net
Find GenX Journeys on Facebook
Twitter: @returntothe80s
Email: paul@genxjourneys.net

Also, you can subscribe to the GenX Journeys podcast on

Apple Podcasts
Stitcher
Spotify
iHeartRadio
Podbean
PlayerFM