Marketing and music are my favourite series here on Substack. You combine my two favourites, storytelling and music, packed in teachable posts; I learn so much— thank you
So it was all Bon Jovi's fault! lol Oh man that 80s hair. I think the rock stars of the 80s kept all the hair spray companies in business. Remember how MTV was so groundbreaking where we could watch and listen to music 24/7. Who would have ever thought it would be on demand a few decades later.
Hi Bette, it's almost like rock stars were being 'authentic' by going unplugged!
BTW as an aside, I saw an interview with one of the key execs at MTV during this time, and he hated Jon Bon Jovi. Apparently, right after that 1989 performance, MTV tried desperately to convince Bon Jovi to do an unplugged session, and they refused. They finally did one for MTV a few years ago. If I recall correctly, the Unplugged series really didn't go anywhere until Elton John did a performance I think in 1993. Once John did it, other big names signed on and the series was off and running.
This was such a fun trip down memory lane, and I’m totally here for it! The moment Bon Jovi and Sambora stripped it down on that MTV Unplugged stage, it felt like they were pulling off the ultimate mic-drop on '80s excess.
And then there’s Jewel. Watching her live performances in the '90s was like watching someone slowly unravel a heart in real time. You can’t fake that kind of vulnerability. If she had come up in the ‘80s, would she have been put in a tight spandex box with a synthesizer? Maybe! But luckily, the '90s loved a good acoustic guitar and a tear soaked lyric.
The fact that stories in all their forms (whether music, writing, or even a random Instagram) have this power to reach deep inside of us and make us feel something, is where the real connection happens.
Also, I’m totally hitting that playlist in 10 minutes.
Thank you, sis! As @Bette A. Ludwig, PhD will say, I need to do a proper Marketing and Music soon on 80s music. This was not it lol Hope you enjoy the tunes, I will be adding to the list!
I loved reading this. My fav Unplugged is George Michael. It has special meaning to him since it was the last time his mom saw him singing live before she died of cancer.
Nirvana was one of the clear winners from the MTV Unplugged series. And it again proves that good music sounds good whether it is acoustic or not. Sometimes even better. Thanks for reading, Jack!
Marketing and music are my favourite series here on Substack. You combine my two favourites, storytelling and music, packed in teachable posts; I learn so much— thank you
So it was all Bon Jovi's fault! lol Oh man that 80s hair. I think the rock stars of the 80s kept all the hair spray companies in business. Remember how MTV was so groundbreaking where we could watch and listen to music 24/7. Who would have ever thought it would be on demand a few decades later.
Unplugged = Vulnerability
Hi Bette, it's almost like rock stars were being 'authentic' by going unplugged!
BTW as an aside, I saw an interview with one of the key execs at MTV during this time, and he hated Jon Bon Jovi. Apparently, right after that 1989 performance, MTV tried desperately to convince Bon Jovi to do an unplugged session, and they refused. They finally did one for MTV a few years ago. If I recall correctly, the Unplugged series really didn't go anywhere until Elton John did a performance I think in 1993. Once John did it, other big names signed on and the series was off and running.
I think that's exactly how it was experienced - more real, more raw, more honest. How do you dislike Bon Jovi! Lol
This was such a fun trip down memory lane, and I’m totally here for it! The moment Bon Jovi and Sambora stripped it down on that MTV Unplugged stage, it felt like they were pulling off the ultimate mic-drop on '80s excess.
And then there’s Jewel. Watching her live performances in the '90s was like watching someone slowly unravel a heart in real time. You can’t fake that kind of vulnerability. If she had come up in the ‘80s, would she have been put in a tight spandex box with a synthesizer? Maybe! But luckily, the '90s loved a good acoustic guitar and a tear soaked lyric.
The fact that stories in all their forms (whether music, writing, or even a random Instagram) have this power to reach deep inside of us and make us feel something, is where the real connection happens.
Also, I’m totally hitting that playlist in 10 minutes.
Thank you Mack.
Thank you, sis! As @Bette A. Ludwig, PhD will say, I need to do a proper Marketing and Music soon on 80s music. This was not it lol Hope you enjoy the tunes, I will be adding to the list!
Yes Mack! I am looking forward to reading this one very shortly and more to come. Anything 80s and I am in. Best music decade EVER!
You mean we should sing unplugged?
ummmm I'm in lol
Hmmm…we do need to collaborate more!
LOL
I loved reading this. My fav Unplugged is George Michael. It has special meaning to him since it was the last time his mom saw him singing live before she died of cancer.
The number of times I’ve listened to the Nirvana unplugged session has to have broken some kind of world record.
Nirvana was one of the clear winners from the MTV Unplugged series. And it again proves that good music sounds good whether it is acoustic or not. Sometimes even better. Thanks for reading, Jack!