1984: The Greatest Year in Pop Music ... or was it?

The year 1984 (famously imagined in George Orwell's novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four) was a time of Ronald Reagan, the first availability of the Apple Macintosh computer in stores, and a pop music hit list including Prince's Purple Rain and Michael Jackson's Thriller that reached a wider audience than ever thanks to the dominance of MTV. At the same time hip-hop and indie rock were laying the groundwork for a musical revolution. Both Rolling Stone and Billboard magazines have dubbed 1984 "pop music's best year ever." But was it really?

This program is presented in conjunction with the LF/LB Historical Society's mock newspaper, The Gem, which highlights all the local news of 1984. Copies of The Gem newspaper are available at the Historical Society, which is located at 509 East Deerpath in Lake Forest.

Sound Opinions, the world's only rock and roll talk show, is a nationally syndicated radio program where people who love music can come together to make discoveries, debate, learn about pop culture, engage, have fun and find new ways to further enrich lives through music. Tune into Jim and Greg's show on Fridays at 8pm or Saturdays at 2 and 11pm.

The Lake Forest Historical Society inspires an awareness of the community's history and an appreciation of its relevance through delivering engaging exhibitions, publications and public programs; collecting and preserving local heritage and culture; and supporting historical research.