On TV 1981

The Christmas TV schedule in Bravo of 15 December 1981. Open image in a new tab/window for better readability.

Kim Wilde 1981

Kim Wilde on a double-page spread in Bravo of 15 December 1981.

Fred Sonnenschein 1981

Comic character Fred Sonnenschein, aka comic singer Frank Zander, on the back-cover of Bravo of 15 December 1981. As Sonnenschein, Zander had a huge hit with the execrable “Ja, wenn wir alle Englein wären”, a low-point in the history of Schlager, a genre that had more than its share of low points. And yet, even worse was topping the German charts, as we saw on Wednesday.

Kurt Russell 1981

Actor Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken on a centrespread poster in Bravo of 15 December 1981. His big movie at the time was Escape From New York.

Featured on the cover that issue was Goldie Hawn, on strength of her role in Private Benjamin (see Monday’s post). Russell and Hawn were not a couple yet (both were still married to other people). That changed only two years later.

Victoria Principal 1981

Victoria Principal, Dallas‘ Pamela Ewing, gives it some serious sexiness on this centrespread poster in Bravo of 15 December 1981.

Charts Dec. 1981

The charts in Bravo of 15 December 1981. Top of the sales charts is “Polonaise Blankenese” by comic figure Gottlieb Wendehals, who must be one of the least funny German comedy acts in a land not famous for its comedy (political satire, very much yes; comedy, not so much). The readers’ charts have ELO at the top. Not my favourite ELO song, but better than lowest-common denominator drivel.

AC/DC 1981

AC/DC on a centrespread poster in Bravo of 15 December 1981.

Goldie Hawn 1981

Goldie Hawn, star of Private Benjamin, on the cover of Bravo of 15 December 1981.

Drafi Deutscher 1965

Singer Drafi Deutscher on the cover of Bravo of 13 December 1965. Deutscher’s biggest hit is also one of the greatest German songs of all time.

Freddy Quinn 1964

Schlager singer Freddy Quinn on the cover of Bravo of 8 December 1964.