Back in the day, I knew I had to find a way to get more MTV in my life. I craved it with an intensity that only a kid in the ’80s could understand. Between catching snippets of Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood, and Adam Curry’s fabulous hair, I desperately needed a plan. It was during those summer babysitting gigs in 1982 that I realized MTV was a hidden gem, a glorious perk for a job that only paid a dollar an hour. “SHHH! Kids, I can’t hear Kevin Cronin belting out ‘I Can’t Fight This Feeling!’”
When Headbangers Ball hit the airwaves, my sister and I were all in on the hair band scene. Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet dropped in 1986, and our family was bursting with New Jersey pride. I made sure to remind all my friends that I was born in New Jersey, so obviously, I had a connection with Jon. During family trips to the New Jersey shore, I donned a T-shirt that boldly proclaimed, “Jersey girls … best in the world.” Little did I know, that shirt opened doors to conversations with every lifeguard on the beach. Ah, the blissful ignorance of youth! I grew up with a mother with a great sense of humor; she owned a shirt with the slogan “Do it in a van.” So, needless to say, my guidance on fashion was questionable.
Every time “Livin’ on a Prayer” played on MTV, I was mesmerized. Those glorious hairstyles! Richie’s fabulous hat! Tico’s soul patch! They were like rock ‘n roll superheroes in my young eyes. Before long, a Jon Bon Jovi poster graced our hallway wall, but it wasn’t my sister or me who put it there—it was my 5-foot-tall, super-cool mom wanting to have her own little eye-candy.
I had to have the must-have item of the era: a denim jacket with white fringe. I wore that thing relentlessly; it appeared in many photos that year—okay, maybe for three years. I think my mom still has it stashed away in her closet. The hits from Slippery When Wet seemed endless, with songs like “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Wanted Dead or Alive” turning us into karaoke stars long before karaoke bars were even a thing. School dances were filled with air guitar solos, our hands raised, screaming, “Whoa-o! We’re halfway there!” I still know every verse by heart; the lyrics just roll off my tongue.
By the time I hit college, my Slippery When Wet cassette was practically unplayable. The New Jersey album was taking over, and “I’ll Be There for You” was my anthem as I parted ways with my childhood friends in 1989. Coincidentally, that was when my parents finally decided to get cable. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
My new friends were a mix of clean-cut sorority girls and fellow hair band enthusiasts. When I joined the rowing team that freshman year, everyone quickly learned I was a head-banger who frequented local concerts. A senior even dubbed me “Megadeth” in honor of my music taste, and the nickname stuck. Even now, my rowing buddies still call me “Mega.” It certainly sounds better than “Bon Jovi,” I suppose. I mean, how confusing would it be for novices to think my name is “Bon” instead of “Megan”? Long story, best left unexplained.
In those early college years, my crushes resembled Jon Bon Jovi—well, only if you squinted and looked from a distance. Hair bands were on top, and my best friend and I made it our goal to meet as many long-haired rock stars as possible. I have countless photos with bands like Enuff Z’Nuff and Skid Row—but I’m not going to share those.
Then came the early ’90s and Nirvana, which completely changed my rock music landscape. Grunge took over, and bands that were once on top, like Cinderella and Winger, faded away. However, many of those bands still tour for us middle-aged metal-heads.
Now, my 4-year-old son favors country music, living in Texas, but occasionally, a rock song catches his attention and he starts to dance. He enjoys tunes from AC/DC, Motley Crue, and even some classic rock lullabies like “Beth” by KISS and “Patience” by Guns N’ Roses.
As for my own nostalgia, I’ve promised my husband that a Jon Bon Jovi poster will not be making an appearance in our hallway. But if you’re interested in exploring the world of home insemination, you can find some great insights at this blog post. For those looking to take matters into their own hands, check out this reputable retailer of at-home insemination syringe kits. And if you’re on the journey of pregnancy, this resource is excellent for information and guidance.
In summary, my teenage obsession with Jon Bon Jovi and the hair band craze of the ’80s shaped my musical journey and left an indelible mark on my heart. As I navigate motherhood and share my passions with my son, I cherish those memories while embracing the new chapters of life.
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