Flashback

MADONNA EXPRESSES HERSELF IN 1983

The WOW Report does wow us sometimes. Occasionally they put drag queens on hold and feature something different. This time it’s a collection of Polaroid photos of Madonna taken in 1983. Richard Corman was a well-connected young photographer back then and he shot the ambitious 24 year old singer in her brother’s seedy apartment (She lived in an equally funky walk-up on E 4th St, full of thugs.) It was just HER and Richard in the apartment – no entourage yet! The photographer recently came upon the long-forgotten polaroids in mint condition. One month after these pix were taken, Madonna’s first album was released and her world exploded. Corman’s book “66 Polaroids” is coming out in the fall, along with an exhibition. (Love that rusty sink and funky kitchen)
Photos: Richard Corman

SPANDAU BALLET: NOT AS FASHION OBSESSED AS THEY USED TO BE

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30 years ago, Spandau Ballet debuted at the Festival Della Canzone in San Remo, Italy, and they’re back for more. We always remember the group as a bunch of designer-clad pretty boys. After years of squabbling, their sons talked them into getting back together. Martin Kemp, Tony Hadley, Gary Kemp, Steve Norman and John Keeble patched up their differences and are performing together again. Below, watch their “True” video.

A GOSSIP FLASHBACK ON THE GERALDO TALK SHOW!

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Speaking of the Geraldo show, our fellow gossip columnist, CJ, who appeared with us on the weekly gossip panel, dug up this great old photo from the show. From left to right you have Mike Walker from The National Enquirer, Janet Charlton from Star Magazine, Ted Casablanca from E!, Geraldo the host, CJ from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Cindy Adams from the New York Post. As an opinionated group we did a lot of gossip shows together, and had loads of fun.

THE ROCK ISN’T AFRAID TO MAKE FUN OF HIMSELF

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Photo: Instagram
Nice to see that Dwayne Johnson, 41, can laugh at himself. He posted this highly entertaining photo of him as a young man in the 90’s online and we barely recognized him. He captioned it “Fanny pack and lean take it to a whole other level” – he compared himself to a “buff lesbian.” Yikes- the mom jeans and fanny pack, not to mention the necklace and hairdo, indicate how FAR The Rock has come since then – now he’s HERCULES!

IT HAPPENED IN THE 80’S: SUSAN SARANDON AND DAVID BOWIE!

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We love being surprised to hear about unlikely celebrities who dated back in the day. Who knew Susan Sarandon had a fling with David Bowie? Susan and David, both now 67, hooked up while they were filming the 1983 vampire movie “The Hunger.” They were both single at the time. This gossip tidbit came to light when Susan’s friend Melissa McCarthy blurted it out while (ironically) giving Susan an AARP Lifetime Achievement Award. According to the National Enquirer, Susan’s kids in the audience were astonished! Not surprisingly, their mother had never mentioned it! (Above, Susan and David out somewhere in 1983)

SARAH JESSICA PARKER TIME TRAVELLING IN “SEX AND THE CITY II?”

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Photo Credit: Bauer-Griffin
“Sex and the City II” must have a scene going back to the eighties because Sarah Jessica Parker has an all over 80’s look. From the curly hair to the Flashdance cut-off sweatshirt, to the vintage luggage – she personifies the era. Plus you rarely see her in sneakers. (Actually combat boots would have been even better.)

JOAN JETT WHEN SHE WAS A RUNAWAY

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Photo Credit: Buzz Foto

FLASHBACK: Our friend Brad Elterman shot this photo of Joan Jett back around 1977, after her mother kicked her out of the house. The Runaways bandmember moved into the Tropicana Motor Hotel in West Hollywood where all the rockstars stayed. Here she is chatting on the phone with her then-girlfriend Lisa, looking like a typical teenager.

MICHAEL JACKSON: BEFORE THE BAD STUFF HAPPENED

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Photo Credit: Buzz Foto

FLASHBACK: Nothing in this 1978 photo remains the same. Michael Jackson, barely 20 and carefree, posed for photographers outside Chasen’s restaurant in West Hollywood after the Grammys. Michael now has white skin and glamorous Chasen’s is long gone. Recently Michael denied rumors that he and his children’s nanny Grace Rwaramba were secretly married. From what we hear, Grace is taking over almost every aspect of Michael’s private and professional life, so they might as WELL be married.