Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Pepsi Dance Trax

 
People "of a certain age" in Grand Rapids might remember this show that aired Sunday mornings on channel 17 in the late 80s.
Dance Trax followed the format of many other "dance club" shows that were popular at the time such as Club MTV, The Grind, Dance Party USA, etc. which I guess all were descendants of American Bandstand and Soul Train. Shots of teens dancing to the latest hits, occasionally with the video.
It was produced in the Club Eastbrook space (which is now Orbit Room) and hosted by KLQ on-air personality Danny Douglas.
The shows filled a 30 minute slot but I have edited this one down to 10 minutes of giant bangs, permed mullets, Polo and Bugle Boy. Watch for the pair of girls with impressive Salt n' Peppa outfits!

Thanks to Wendee Bush for going to the trouble of searching out her ancient but amazingly well-preserved tape!! I'm making her a DVD of these episodes in exchange for letting me share them on here.

If you have any rare GR video gems, message me!







Special Bonus!  Check out this dance-off to Nena Cherry "Buffalo Stance." 







>>>>>>>>For a limited time, DVD available!

19 comments:

  1. I'm in this! That was my first on-camera experience! I should have stopped while I was ahead.

    Great blog. You should do a post on the Purple Cow at Meijer's. I got fired from there for giving away a cheeseburger.

    -Brad (dude in the white Polo with the jacked-up Morrissey bangs)


    www.BradMeehan.com

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  2. sweeeeet post. funny,i got fired from Meijer for not telling on a bagger when he found an 8-pack of coke in a cart and drank it instead of returning it. good times.

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  3. Wardrobe by Sagebrush, classic. I don't know what's worse, the hair or the clothes.

    Props to Wendee for saving those tapes. It's sorta like saving used chewing gum for 20 years. Anyone could do it, but who actually would?

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  4. Whatever dude. The video I have of you dancing around in the fireman coat to Carl Cox maybe isn't quite old enough to look as retarded as the 80s but just give it another 5 years or so...

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  5. This is awesome!!! Everyone dancing to Pet shop Boys and New Order. People all dancing together and the clothes and hair are just a slice of the times!

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  6. Omg!!!! I am so glad to see this again my whole family n akk my friends danced here, Godwin n K-ville...Tku!!!!

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  7. I have been looking for footage of this stuff! Great times! Thank you!!

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  8. Wow...I was on that show forever. even when it went to Top of the Rock. I have tons of Footage.

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    1. Hey Pete! Would you be interested in trading footage? I have 2 hours worth I've transferred to DVD. Always looking for more. Would even pay some money.

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  9. Sweet! I was on this one weekend... definitely fun memories. Is it wrong that I miss the hair and clothes from then? LOL!

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  10. Looking for the ones at the top of the rock

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    1. I have about 2 hours worth of Pepsi Dance Traxx episodes ut all the ones I have are from Club Eastbrook. I'd be interested in seeing the Top Of The Roc episodes (or ANYTHING video taped at TOTR) but have no idea who might have that.

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  11. my dad was in some of the Pepsi dance trax videos but i can find them :/ his name is Eddie Cole.

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  12. wow - haven't seen this stuff in years. my son just laughs, he doesn't understand. it was great times. i was on this show several times and loved every minute of it :)

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  13. Looking for episode of this show when they did it at Grand Haven Beach. Anyone have any leads on this???

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    1. Just finding any episode recorded of this at all is hard to come by but that would be incredible!

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  14. My mom has a tape somewhere of several episodes. The sad thing is that she can't find it! aahhhh!!

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