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Ian Cheeseman Talks: Finding Fame in my favourite decade

In this week's column, Ian chats with the cast of 80's hit TV show 'Fame' and remembers a Manchester City legend...

If I had to pick the favourite decade of my youth, I think it would have to be the 1980s. Before lockdown, I used to present the 80s hour on Tameside Radio, and that was ideal for me. There’s hardly a hit single during that period that I’m not familiar with and I liked most of the pop music that was around during that decade.

On the TV were classic comedies like Ever Decreasing Circles, Duty Free and Only Fools and Horses, to name just three and other shows that I loved like Moonlighting, Quantum Leap and Dallas. 

I got married and the decade closed with us having our first-born. I attended every single Manchester City game home and away. I loved the 1980s.

One TV show from that glorious decade that I haven’t mentioned is “Fame” an hour packed to the rafters with a joyous celebration of singing and dancing that told the stories about the School for the Performing Arts in New York. 

As well as the dancing, always led by Leroy and his teacher Lydia, there was great music, typical of the decade. There were hit singles too. Remember “Hi-Fidelity” on which Doris was the lead singer, “Friday Night” led by Danny and “Starmaker” which was an ensemble piece; and of course the title song “Fame, I’m gonna live for ever, baby remember my name”.

Well this week I linked up via “Zoom”, our newly discovered video conferencing tool, with two of the stars of Fame. I chatted, trans-Atlantically, with my personal favourite Doris Schwarz (Valerie Landsburg) and Montgomery, who was played by PR Paul. Not only was it a thrill for me to be talking to such cultural icons but it was a great way to find out how they’d changed in the 35 years since then.

I look very different from my wedding pictures. I had hair back then. They look different too, but the talent is still there for all to see, especially if you check out the song “Satellite” which under the name “Friends of Fame” they recorded towards the end of last year as a charity single. 

I asked them questions like, “how did Fame affect you”, “what have you done since” and “how did you get on with each other back then?” 

I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did and if you enjoyed the 80s like I did, it will take you back to that era. During that same decade my football team, Manchester City, had a few ups and downs, including that moment Luton manager David Pleat danced on the pitch at Maine Road, as I witnessed my first Blues relegation. The one consistent part of that unstable part of City’s history was General Secretary Bernard Halford.

Bernard, who was from Chadderton, worked at the club for over 40 years and had the honour of lifting the FA Cup from the balcony of Wembley Stadium, an honour only normally bestowed on the players and manager. That was the esteem in which Bernard was held.

Sadly, Mr Manchester City, as he was known by many, passed away last year. He’s survived by his wife Karen who I have had a chat to. She told me a few personal stories about life behind the scenes that are not normally known by the public and of course some emotional stories about their life together.

I’d love it if you would join me this Saturday afternoon between 1-3pm for a trip back to the 80s when “Ian Cheeseman talks... to the Kids from Fame & Karen Halford” on Tameside Radio 103.6FM or via the App which is free to download. “Fame, I’m gonna live forever” – if only!

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