Week of December 17, 1989

U.S. invasion forces, move into the streets of Panama City to root out Manuel A.

Noriega’s paramilitary. Polls say Americans support the movie. The massive

force then overthrows the regime of strongman Manual A. Noreiga, chasing him

into hiding.

24 years of dictatorship ends - The

Warsaw Pact’s last Stalinist domino - the

regime of Romanian resident Nicolae

Ceausescu is toppled in a violent crash,

after several days of bloody fighting. In

place - a newly formed Council of the

Front of National Salvation composed of known Romanian dissidents. The

dictator and his wife have fled to Bucharest.

Soviet President Gorbachev earns that anything but a middle course would lead

the country toward disaster. The Central Committee will be discussing the most

explosive issue the country now faces - grown nationalism in any of the Soviet

Union’s 15 constituent republics - following the decision last week of the

Lithuanian Communist party to declare its independence from the parent Soviet

party.

Mikhail S. Gorbachev , whose political and economic

reforms in the Soviet Union sparked a revolution that

shattered Communist control of Eastern Europe, is named

Man of the Decade by Time magazine.

The last organized military support for deposed

Panamanian dictator Manuel Noreiga, collapses as

Panama’s now U.S.-approved leaders begin efforts to from

and run an actual government.

A bomb is removed from a federal Court building in

Atlanta, but a Savannah attorney was killed when another bomb exploded in his

office. The blast came several days after the package bomb murder of an 11 th

Circuit judge in Alabama and may be linked to a NAACP tear gas incident.

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney requests $4.6 billion to research and develop

“Star Wars” missile defenses next year. It could pit the Bush Administration

against lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Week of December 17, 1989

President Bush wishes the nation a joyous Hanukah and a Merry Christmas.

”It is daily acts of goodness and generosity, performed time and time again

throughout the yea, that hold the true meaning of this holy season,” said the

President.

Business - Real estate tycoon Donald Trump is one of the

top candidates to buy Bloomingdale’s the ritzy department

store chain now owned by troubled Campeau Corp.

Trend - Music retailers are finding optimism in music video

sales. Prices have come down for the videos which can

now sell for less - $14.95-$19.95, a little more than a

compact disc.

Medical - the federal government for the first time has

approved the legal use of marijuana for an AIDS patient to

test reduction of nausea, vomiting and pain caused by the disease and its

treatment

Technology -

Here’s an update on the largest on-line services

for the home:

Compuserve - 550,000 subscribers

Prodigy - 170,000

Genie - 170,000

Quantum Computer Services - 130,000

Boston Citinet - 45,000

Prodigy now has a home-shopping service. In partnership between Sears-

Roebuck and IBM, the company is making an unprecedented bid for

computerized home shopping. Out of all the other services that cater mainly to

computer buffs, Prodigy was set up mainly as a merchandising medium. The

company has sold more than 60,000 of its $50 subscription start-up kit in the past

two months alone, amid its first big Christmas campaign. Besides shopping with

70 retailers, Prodigy also offers features such as news headlines, stock trading,

flight reservations, electronic mail, educational games and banking.

Pioneer and Kokusai Denshin Denwa Ltd. Of Japan have announced the

development of the first rewritable laser-read video disk system.

Week of December 17, 1989

Music news - A new album features

contemporary versions of songs

associated with artists whose deaths are

believed linked to drugs and drug abuse.

It’s called “Stairway to Heaven/Highway to

Hell” and features Bon Jovi, Cinderella,

Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crew and Skid

Row, offering songs by Jimi Hendrix, Elvis

Presley, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and

others.

VH-1 slowly ushers in a change - For up to

15 hours daily the video channel says

announcing chores are being handled by

what the station refers to as “Connects.”

These are three characters - a prime-time, overnight and daytime personality

created by Ken Brown. VH-1 says for its target demo of 25-49, the VJ concept

was not working. The other hours are filled with specialty programs such as “New

Visions,” “Brunch With Bobby Rivers,” and ”My Generation,” hosted by its

existing slate of VJ’s.

Sister channel MTV is in for some changes. In an effort to clean up the clutter,

MTV is bringing in new VJ’s in January. Also, the dayparting of videos which

began in September of 1988 will continue. Among the changes - a four-hour

morning show featuring a morning team; a three-hour, it oriented prime-time

show’ the addition of “Unplugged,” a weekly nonvideo program featuring acoustic

performances; and the elimination of “hard 30,” a 30-mnute weekday afternoon

metal music show.

More MTV - The success of “Just Say Julie,” the

weekly half-hour mix of music and comedy featuring

comedian Julie Brown , has spawned three new

weekly comedy and music shows - “Colin Quinn’s

Manly World” - begins Jan. 22.

The sketch-filled “Ben Stiller Show” starts Jan. 25.

“Kevin Seal Sporting Fool” and “Pirate Television” will

be featured Friday nights.

Rap music - Still getting played on radio on a limited basis, but with the success

of MTV’s “Yo! MTV Raps” - several other video shows have emerged. Video

Juke Box” is seen on 27 TV stations and BET has “Rap City.” Tommy Boy just

released the first Rap compilation package “Monster TV Rap Hits.”

Week of December 17, 1989

More rap - One of the big label success stories

is the new “Delicious Vinyl” label. It marks its

first year in business with the release of a triple-

platinum album, double-platinum single and

platinum single by tone Loc, as well as platinum

single and probable platinum album for Young

M.C.

The Rolling Stones will close their “Steel

Wheels’ tour with a live pay-per-view concert

this week in Atlantic City. Also appearing - Axl

W. Rose and Izzy Stradlin of Guns N’ Roses,

Eric Clapton and others.

George Martin has put together an album for

release called “After The Hurricane,” to give

assistance to victims of the Monserrat hurricane

that hit the island Sept. 17. Featured are The

Rolling Stones, Elton John, Paul McCartney,

Steve Wonder and the Police.

Billboard reports that New Kids on the Block

close out 1989 by becoming the first act to land

six top 10 hits on the Hot 100 in once calendar

year since Michael Jackson in 1983

Radio news -

Randy Kabrich says he has resigned as

program director of (Q105) in Tampa. He wants a management position.

WMMS Cleveland announces that it is again an album rock station after five

years as a top-40 outlet.

Country WYNY New York announces it has hired Jim Kerr for mornings.

PD John Mainelli is resigning from talkradio WABC, effective Jan. 1.

Howard Hoffman, once the producer for the Z-100 morning show, is at rival

WYNY, producing the morning show there and says his old station is using his

copyrighted “Mr. Stress” character. He doesn’t like it one bit.

Week of December 17, 1989

Elvis Presley’s $100-million estate is turned-over to his daughter, Lisa. She’s the

sole heir after more than a decade of legal disputes.

Roseanne Barr calls-off her January wedding,

saying that her boyfriend Tom Arnold was in an

alcohol and drug rehabilitation clinic

Television news - Don’t miss “It’s A Wonderful

Life” on TNT this weekend.

NBC is bringing back “Dark Shadows,” the

afternoon gothic soap opera which ran on ABC-TV

from 1966-1971. The movie will be produced by Dan Curtis, the original show’s

producer.

Howard Rollins- co-star of “In the Heat of the Night,” is taken time off because if

illness. The are rumors that series producer Carroll O’Connor has fired Rollins.

Top TV -

Roseanne - 23.7

Cosby Show - 22.5

Golden Girls - 22.2

A Different World - 20.4

Empty Nest - 19.8

60 Minutes - 19.8

The Wonder Years - 19.8

Dear John - 19.3

L.A. Law - 19.2

Murder, She Wrote - 18.9

Monday Night Football - 18.8

Married… With Children - 18.4

Who’s the Boss? - 18.3

Bob Hope Christmas Special - 17.6

Matlock - 17.5

In the Heat of the Night - 17.5

Coach - 17.1

Unsolved Mysteries - 16.9

Designing Women - 16.9

Julie (Andrews) & Carol (Burnette) - Together Again - 16.1

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeers - 15.8

Week of December 17, 1989

Monday night television -

CBS - Major Dad, I Love Lucy Christmas, Murphy Brown, Designing Women,

Newhart, Doctor Doctor, Pat Sajak Show

NBC - Movie, Christmas in Washington

ABC - MacGyver, Monday Night Football, Nightline

Fox - 21 Jump Street, Alien Nation

PBS - Nature, Travels

I Love Lucy Christmas - Lucy and Ricky reminisce about Little Ricky’s birth.

NBC Movie - Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1989) starring Keshia

Knight Puliam.

Newhart - George romances an overweight women.

Christmas in Washington - Olivia Newton-John ,

Diahann Carroll, Vic Damone and James Galway perform

at the National Building Museum.

Pat Sajack Show - Joe Namath, Buster Poindexter and

comedian Bill Engvall.

Top movies this week in 1989 -

Christmas Vacation

The War of the Roses

Back to the Future Part Ii

The Little Mermaid

The Wizard

Glory

Top Children’s videos -

The Land Before time

Bambi

Cinderella

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Teen Mutant Ninja Turtles Killer Pizzas

Frosty the Snowman

Santa Clause is Coming To Town

Week of December 17, 1989

Hot Hits this week in 1989 -

Don’t Know Much - Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville

We Didn’t Start The Fire - Billy Joel

Another Day In Paradise - Phil Collins

With Every Beat Of My Heart - Taylor Dayne

Back to Life - Soul II Soul Feat. Caron Wheeler

Pump up the Jam - Technotronic Feat. Felly

Blame It On the Rain - Mill Vanilli

Living in Sin - Bon Jovi

Just Like Jesse James - Cher

Angelia - Richard Marx

Don’t Close Your eyes - Kix

(It’s Just0 The way that You Love Me - Paula Abdul

This One’s For The Children - New Kids On The Block

Everything - Jody Watley

How Am I Supposed To Live Without You - Michael

Bolton

Love Shack - B-52’s

Leave A Light On - Belinda Carlisle

Just Between You and Me - Lou Gramm

Free Fallin’ - Tom Petty

The Last Worthless Evening - Don Henley

Swing the Mood - Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers

When the Night Comes - Joe Cocker

Two To Make It Right - Seduction

Oh Father - Madonna

Rock and A Hard Place - Rolling Stones

Top albums this week in 1989 -

Storm Front - Billy Joel

Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul

Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 -

Janet Jackson

Cosmic Thing - B-52’s

Hangin’ Touch - New Kids On The Block

Steel Wheels - Rolling Stones

Slip of the Tongue - White Snake

Pump - Aerosmith

But Seriously - Phil Collins

Merry Merry Christmas - New Kids On

the Block

Week of December 17, 1989

Full Moon Fever - Tom Petty

Dr. Feelgood - Motley Crue

Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind - Linda Ronstadt Feat. Aaron Neville

Presto - Rush

Full Moon Fever - Tom Petty

Heart of Stone - Cher

Keep on Movin - Soul II Soul

Repeat Offender - Richard Marx

Crossroads - Tracy Chapman

Journeyman - Eric Clapton

Flying In A Blue Dram - Joe Satriani

Top Country

Who’s Lonely Now - Highway 101

Out Of Your Shoes - Lorrie Morgan

A Woman In Love - Ronnie Milsap

It Ain’t Nothin’ - Keith Whitely

Till I Can’t take It Anymore - Billy Joe Royal

That Just About Does It - Vern Gosdin

Two Dozen Roses - Shenandoah

Many A Long & Lonesome Highway - Rodney Crowell

She’s Gone, Gone Gone - Glen Campbell

It’s You Again - Skip Ewing

Week of December 17, 1989

Somebody For Me - Heavy d. & The Boyz

Me So Horney - 2 Live Crew

Just a Friend - Biz Markie

The D.O.C. &: The Doctor - the D.O.C.

Frankly Speaking - Awesome Dre/Hard Core

FBI - Donald D

She’s Got A Big Posse - Arabian Prince

Bust A Move - Young MC

I Think I Can Beat Mike T. - Jazzy

Jeff/Fresh prince

Turn It Out - Rob Base

Five Dollar High - Cucci Crew II

Beepers - Sir Mix A lot

Rhyme Fighter- Mellow Man Ace

Top hits in Britain -

Don’t Know Much - Linda Ronstadt and

Aaron Nevelle

You Got it (The Right Stuff) - New Kids on

the Block

Get A Life - Soul II Soul

The Eve of the war (Ben Liebrand Remix) - Jeff Wayne

Lambada - Kaoma

Homely Girl - UB40

When You Come Back To Me - Jason Donovan

Can’t Shake the Feeling - Big Fun

Fools Gold/What The World is Waiting For - Stone roses

All Round the World - Lisa Stansfield

I Don’t Wanna Lose You - Tina Turner

Hot Dance Records In Clubs -

Rhythm Nation - Janet Jackson

Pump Up the Jam - Technotronic Feat.

Felly

Over and Over - Pajama Party

Two to Make It Right - Seduction

New Jack Swing - Wrecks-N-Effect

French Kiss - Lil' Louis

Love On top of Love Killer Kiss - Grace

Jones

Somebody for Me - Heavy d. & The Boyz

Me So Horny - 2 Live Crew

Week of December 17, 1989

Swing The Mood - Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers

Album Rock Cuts -

Fool For Loving - Whitesnake

Pretending - Eric Clapton

Downtown Train - Rod Stewart

A Girl Like You - Smithereens

Show Don’t Tell - Rush

Love Son - Tesla

I Can’t Help Explain - Scorpions

Peace in Our Time - Eddie Money

Terrifying - Rolling Stones

Another Day In Paradise - Phil Collins

Top Modern Rock -

Proud to Fall - Ian Mcculloch

Love and Anger - Kate Bush

A Girl Like You - Smithereens

Blues From a Gun - The Jesus and

Mary Chain

Contact - Big Audio Dynamite

Standing There - The Creatures

Let Love Rule - Lenny Kravitz

Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode

Time and Space - Flesh for Lulu

Should God Forget - The Psychedelic Furs

Week of December 17, 1989

Billboards Top Pop Artist For 1989 In Order Of Popularity -

New Kids on the Block

Bobby Brown

Guns N’ roses

Paula Abdul

Milli Vanilli

Bon Jovi

Fine Young Cannibals

Madonna

Richard Marx

Debbie Gibson

Def Leppard

Ton Loc

Skid Row

Karyn White

Warrant

Anita Baker

Poison

Rod Stewart

Tom Petty

Bangles

Roxette

Living Colour

Winger

Great White

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

Traveling Wilburys

R.E.M.

Prince

White Lion

Jody Watley

The Cure

Martika

Gloria Estefan

Billboard’s Top New Pop Artists For 1989 -

New Kinds on the Block

Paul Abdul