The Kids from Fame (and related Fame stuff)

Well THAT was a trip! Amazing that after well over <cough> 20 years* <cough> I can still sing along practically word for word.

But oh my at those vocals! Absolutely dire on some of the tracks, someone seriously thought that that vocal for It's Gonna B A Long Night was worth saving for prosperity?!! But it does add to its charm, thank God the tunes were actually top notch, and actually they really are.

What a highlight Desdemona is! I remembered loving it and it hasn't lost anything, one could almost say epic! (in an early 80's way). I seem to remember it being from an actual Shakespeare "production" they were putting on so think I'll do a youtube search now!

I love threads like this reconnecting me with my past faves!


*Yes I'm well aware its over 30 years since its release but there's now way I'm typing that out in my main comment!


[Edit] It does not disappoint!

Have just listened to It's Gonna Be A Long Night on Spotify. Poor Lori Singer sounds like she was repeatedly being punched in the stomach whilst recording it.
 
I got the boxset of the complete first series as a Christmas present a few years back and watched the first few episodes which I loved from a nostalgia point of view. It really was the Glee of it's day and similarly went downhill just as fast.

Carlo Imperato's Danny was also the first boy to make me feel funny inside and I didn't know why!

He doesn't look that great here! He took my eye back in the day, though.
 
All hail Dame Valerie Landsburg, the patron saint of Comeback Corner

Fame-TV-series---Valerie--006.jpg
 
It was nice to see them on TOTP 1983 last week. They all seem bemused that the show was so huge here, unlike at 'home' where it was perpetually on the verge of being axed.

Yeah, it had a difficult trajectory in the US. NBC axed it after two seasons (series) and then syndication picked it up where it did well for the duration of its run.

Lori Singer didn't return to the syndicated series, and Erica only stayed on for a short period.

I think the first two series were the best. It got a little too cheesy. And the music wasn't as good.

But let's not forget the pre-Control Janet:

 
Yeah, it had a difficult trajectory in the US. NBC axed it after two seasons (series) and then syndication picked it up where it did well for the duration of its run.

Lori Singer didn't return to the syndicated series, and Erica only stayed on for a short period.

I think the first two series were the best. It got a little too cheesy. And the music wasn't as good.

But let's not forget the pre-Control Janet:


I always used to tell people Janet Jackson was in Fame and no-one ever believed me.

Imagine if Madonna had got the part she auditioned for! The whole history of pop would have been altered!
 
Because no-one finds lists irritating or tedious, what would people’s top ten Fame tracks be? Spanning all albums, compilations etc?
In my eyes basically any song Coco sings about how amazing she is is always a winner (see Fame, Be Your Own Hero and Bet Your Life It’s Me).

Here's mine:
  1. Fame (from 1980 movie soundtrack)
  2. Hot Lunch Jam (from 1980 movie soundtrack)
  3. Starmaker (from Kids of Fame 1982 album)
  4. I Sing the Body Electric (from 1980 movie soundtrack)
  5. Red Light (from 1980 movie soundtrack)
  6. Dogs in the Yard (from 1980 movie soundtrack)
  7. Is It Okay If I Call You Mine? (from 1980 movie soundtrack)
  8. Be Your Own Hero (from ‘Songs’ 1983 album)
  9. Bet Your Life It’s Me (from ‘Songs’ 1983 album)
  10. = Miles From Here (from 1980 movie soundtrack 2003 reissue) / I Still Believe in Me (from Kids of Fame 1982 album)
Shoutouts to the awful/amazing Hi-fidelity and Step Up To The Mike too.
 
I only have the movie and Seasons 1-2 to pick from, so:

1. Out Here On My Own
2. Fame
3. Starmaker
4. Hi-Fidelity
5. I Sing the Body Electric
6. Hot Lunch Jam
7. Desdemona
8. I Can Do Anything Better Than You Can
9. Beautiful Dreamer
10. I Still Believe in Me

11. Songs
12. Sho-Sho-Shorofsky
 
I only have the movie and Seasons 1-2 to pick from, so:

1. Out Here On My Own
2. Fame
3. Starmaker
4. Hi-Fidelity
5. I Sing the Body Electric
6. Hot Lunch Jam
7. Desdemona
8. I Can Do Anything Better Than You Can
9. Beautiful Dreamer
10. I Still Believe in Me

11. Songs
12. Sho-Sho-Shorofsky
Good choices, and same - I've not seen Season 3 onwards (and not sure I want to).
 
1. Starmaker
2. Desdemona
3. Step Up To The Mike
4. Hi-Fidelity
5. Fame
6. It's Gonna Be A Long Night
7. Mannequin
8. Out Here On My Own
9. Bet Your Life It's Me
10. Sho Sho Sho Shorofsky

Wish they would reissue their other albums on CD, I'm sure I had about 5 on cassette!
 
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