What a stellar flash from the past! An in-depth 80s resurged infusion featured original MTV and Much Music innovators of electronica, new wave, and synth-pop, rocked the video realm once again, as worldwide iconic 80’s music staples virtually came together to perform on the fundraising effort Back to the Basement. This concert was presented by Abducted by The ’80s and Manic Merch hosted by nonother than world-renowned drumming sensation, A Flock of Seagulls own Kevin Rankin.  https://www.manicmerch.com/home/

A true thrill ride! The world’s most recognizable 80s sounds joined forces and brought the show right into the comfort of your home from their prospective homes around the world and took us back in time with their popular hits of yesteryear while giving you a one-of-a-kind glimpse as they bared their dedicated and determined souls during this confusing and ongoing period of COVID-19’s new realm we globally live in. Profits from this benefit concert and merch sales were in support of the nonprofit organization, Direct Relief, for the benefit of the many doctors, nurses, first responders, and healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight. DR missions to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergency situations like COVID-19, by mobilizing and providing essential medical resources needed. They are making sure the courage of health workers on the front lines is honored with meaningful support, and the people most at risk in this pandemic are cared for regardless of politics, religion, or ability to pay. http://www.DirectRelief.org https://www.abductedbythe80s.com

Here it is, enjoy Back to the Basement https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=606720723310553

Kevin Rankin, drummer of A Flock of Seagulls, was your host and kicked it off with a bang with a performance featuring Johnny and Trevor from Escape Club, inside Johnny’s tranquil English garden as they perfected a riveting version of their Gold Certified and Grammy-nominated, #1 Billboard hit Wild Wild West from their same-titled 1988 2nd album and they dedicated an emotional version of their hit, I’ll Be There from their remastered 1986 debut album White Fields, that was re-released and popular 1991 3rd album Dollars and Sex. https://theescapeclubband.com

Next up, the incomparable American freestyle R & B Grammy-nominated NU SHOOZ, fronted by husband and wife team of John Smith and Valerie Day, who projected a relevant and wonderfully encouraging cover rendition of Diana Ross & The Supremes Someday We’ll Be Together which led into their sensationally infectious 1985 energetic and iconic dance club staple, I Can’t-Wait from their 3rd album Poolside. https://www.nushoozmusic.com

So stoked… up next was 1 of my favorite acts that I have had the honor to have captured 7 times live over the years. That’s right, my friends, the ever vibrant and joyful sounds from the innovating Juno nominated and award-winning new wave synth trailblazers, the SPOONS, (who this year, celebrate 40 years on the scene). They shared their imperative sounds during these pertinent medical times. Members Gordon Deppe, Sandy Horn, Scott MacDonald, and Chris McNeill came together, each rockin’ from their separate posts from different rooms within the bassist and co-founder, Sandy Horns home. An amazing display of devotion, as they engaged fans with a rousing synthesizer-laced electro-pop version of their hit Nova Heart (released as the 1st single from their 2nd album Arias & Symphonies in 1982) to which this album was named one of the 20 Most Influential Albums of the 1980s and this song was included as 1 of the Top 100 Canadian Singles. Thus leading them right into another of their infectious hits, Romantic Traffic from their 1984 Listen to the City soundtrack album, which both hits are still going strong across the global airways. Their music sounds the same today as it did when I was a kid, taking me back to a simpler carefree time of my life, and it is so comforting that their creativity can still place a sense of calm into the lives of many, especially today when it is needed the most. So cosmically cerebral. https://www.spoonsmusic.com Here is Nova Heart from Back to the Basement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w1gYCpI_mg

FARRINGTON/MANN‘s Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, singers and creative core of the UK based 1980s band “When In Rome” projected their flavor with The Promise, which was their 1st single debut from their 1988 self-titled album and next, they delivered their second single, Heaven Knows, from that same self-titled album. https://www.farrington-mann.com

American band Nelson featured an acoustic Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (twin sons of music legend Ricky Nelson) as they hypnotized us with their renditions of their hits from their double-platinum debut album After the Rain, which featured their number-one hit “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection”….. again preserved like being thawed from 3-decade freezing …they looked and sounded as spry and youthful as the 90s ….as they perfected yet another of their number 1 hits, acoustically providing us a positive outlook during these COVID times with their mind-melting version of their debut album, After The Rain. http://www.matthewandgunnarnelson.com

Rob, let us know that the Lost 80s Live was canceled for 2020 and tickets are on sale now for the re-booked May 29th, 2021 date, visit https://lost80slive.com

American synth act ANIMOTION shared their 2016 hit Last Time from their Raise Your Expectations album. https://animotion-obsession.com

American synth band Information Society shared their favorite pre-COVID concert footage with us that featured their breakout single that became 1 of the VH1 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the ’80s songs What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) from their Creatures of Influence album and surprised us with their 1st release Peace and Love Inc. from their same-titled 3rd album. http://informationsociety.us

Next, was the award-winning Australian new wave synth-pop band Real Life, a solo with founder, vocalist, and guitarist Dave Sterry in his home studio, where he lifted us with a rendition of Send Me an Angel from the 1983 debut album Heartland. http://reallifemusic.net

Richard Blade from Sirius XM Radio’s 1st wave introduced the English new wave and power pop band The Vapors as they projected ska flavored ditty Together from their same-titled 2020 recent album as they gathered in front of their residence giving us a homegrown feel. It wouldn’t be The Vapors without their staple Turning Japenese, from their 1980 album New Clear Days and they delivered!!!!! https://www.siriusxm.ca/first-wave http://www.thevapors.co.uk

Grammy-nominated English rock band Cutting Crew’s co-founder, chief singer & songwriter, Nick Van Eede, perfected a solo acoustic rendition of their worldwide #1 lead single (I Just) Died In Your Arms from their 1986 debut album Broadcast which was accompaniment by his daughter Lauren with performance background art. Nick vocally introduced a new COVIDly relevant Cutting Crew ballad, Say Something. http://cuttingcrew.org

Peter Byrne, from English new waves Naked Eyes, brought a stunning acoustic solo on Promises, Promises, which was their second hit single, that was a #1 of the top Billboard Hot 100 singles from their debut 1983 Burning Bridges album. He proudly introduced a new piece entitled Ready, from the forthcoming 2020 album. https://www.nakedeyesmusic.com

80s legend, Tiffany, stopped by to wish everyone well and to say thank you and to stay safe to the front line workers.

2 of the most prevalent 80s internationally acclaimed artists Gord Deppe and Mike Score, were up next from one of the most influential bands of the 1980s, Grammy Award-winning A Flock of Seagulls. This brilliant duo knocked it out of the park with Gord appearing on a jumbo screen from his home to Mike’s house. They projected a loud and proud presentation of The More You Live, The More You Love from 1984’s album The Story of a Young Heart, and their 4th single Space Age Love Song from the 1982 debut self-titled album. https://www.aflockofseagulls.org

Wang Chung opened with their 1997’s Space Junk, and our host Kevin, reminded us to support Direct Relief by purchasing the Back to the Basement, 1-of-a-kind limited edition merch, then handed it over to Downtown Julie Brown who introduced an oldie but a goodie, the world premiere of Everybody Stay Safe Tonight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKgOShtMXpg a COVID remake of the band’s classic 1997 hit Everybody Wang Chung Tonight. This also featured Valeri Day from Nu Shooz who donated her stratospheric notes. https://www.wangchung.com

This event had 60,000 tune-in, and this concert was covered by CNN, Fox News, Sirius, iHeart Media, Pop Matters, ABC News, and more. Right after the airing, $4,118.00 was raised and so far, the event has raised to date just over $15,000 in donations to Direct Relief from the limited edition T-Shirts and merchandise that was sold. http://www.directrelief.or

Due to the outstanding success, producers have said they already have plans for a sequel named “Return To Back to the Basement Part Deux.” Drop by http://abductedbythe80s.com for all the details and sign up for exclusive footage, giveaways, and so much more.

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