With the Buggles and Thomas Dolby both singing the praises of radio in the early 1980s, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the technology had just been invented. Both approaches seem to be nostalgic for an earlier, simpler time yet manage to be forward-looking and futuristic.
There’s a huge link between the two artists: the Buggles’ 1979 hit Video Killed The Radio Star – written by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley – was first recorded by Woolley’s band, Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club earlier in 1979, which included Thomas Dolby on keyboards. Radio-aficionados must like to stick together.
Dolby’s debut album, The Golden Age Of Wireless, has many faces: a different tracklisting on the first and second US release, and the first and second UK release. The UK CD release matches that country’s second LP tracklisting, but the US CD release is different again. That’s five different tracklistings for a weird, New Wave concept album about the early days of radio. Bonkers.
Hit: She Blinded Me With Science
Hidden Gem: Airwaves