Prior to 1980, my musical tastes generally sucked. Oh, I listened to the standard hits on the radio, but had no coherent musical wants or likes---outside, that is, of what was always played in my house: John Denver, Neil Diamond, Olivia Newton-John and Barry Manilow. Yes, I admit it, I could sing along to several Manilow tunes. Remember, I didn't have any older brothers or sisters to show me the way (Think: Almost Famous ). But then, in 1980, everything changed. I discovered good music. And I can thank K-Tel for that. For Christmas in 1980, I received a cassette from my parents. It was K-Tel's Rock 80 . And this album introduced me for the first time to what would become some of my favorite bands: Cheap Trick, the Ramones, the Pretenders. I started listening more to rock radio. I would sit sometimes for hours, waiting patiently for a single song to add to my collection of mix tapes. This is a classic K-Tel album....
