It was 20 years ago today....

Those of you who are older than 20, what were you doing 20 years ago in February 1988?
Do you think that you would be where you are at back then?

I was in 8th grade at Edison Junior High School in Parkersburg WV. I was listening to surprisingly, the same music. Almost the same albums. I never would have imagined that I would be in Florida, still a metalhead married, and a homeowner. In fact sometimes I STILL can't believe it.

I was a freshman at Nelson Co.High School in Bardstown,KY.Listening to the same stuff I listen to now.Life was great.Somtimes I wish I could go back to those simpler times,but then again lifes not bad now.

I was freezing my butt off living in Rochester, NY, living in a little apartment with my roommate John.

I was a senior in high school and couldn't wait to graduate, go to college and get the f**k out of my home town.

I was an 8th Grader at Hazen Jr. High School, Minerva, OH.

I NEVER imagined I'd live in Texas. I loved Ohio and my small town so I figured I'd go to college and come home to live after graduation.

I was in the intermediate phase musically. Amy Grant, Prince, Whiteheart, Rez(urrection)(Band), Credence Clearwater Revival, and Top 40 was my music. I liked Queen, TS, Quiet Riot, ect...what the radio played but I was a relatively new Christian so those were evil "Satanic" bands and I steered clear for the most part (although I bought Another One Bites The Dust vinyl single when I was 6).

The Rez stuff and the harder Whiteheart were whetting my whistle, however. Whiteheart's Freedom came out and that was their opus in my opinion. Rez' Silence Screams came out that year as well and that blew me away. Rez' heavier moments have always been metal-ish.

At this point I was about one year away from being introduced to Bride on a Winter retreat. Bride was my gateway band and all the sounds of my youth from the neighborhood that tantalized me (the aforementioned "evil" bands) came rushing to the forefront. Bride would come soon and be swifly followed by Whitecross, Tourniquet, Vengeance Rising, and when they first came out Mortification.

I was a big nerd all through my school years and tried to play football. My claim to fame was I had the entire line's playbook memorized so although I was 'worthless and weak' I was a utility man because I could play any position.

I got an attitude that year and got the worst grades of my life. My parents then punished me by not letting me play football in 9th grade.

The Raiders and The Orioles were smack dab in the middle of some serious suckiness (to which they've returned the last half decade ) so I was bummed in that regard.


Unknown to me at the time I was already nearing my full adult height. Having arrived there so soon I didn't think I was done. I thought I was good for 6'2" or so. Sucker!! 5'8" it was, 5'8" it will be!!

I was probably teething on a toy in my crib in Columbus, NE

i was like 9 years old. i was just getting into all the important stuff like metal & my dads dirty magazines. everything else is a blur.

i turned out pretty much like i thought i would, although i never planned on living this long.

Drugs, chicks, and booze. And a thrash or punk show every other night.

I was a Freshman at LaSalle Academy in Providence, RI. I was getting
ready for wrestling season and headbanging to Priest, Dokken, Maiden,
Hurricane, and Yngwie. Life was a bit rough for me then. I had a lot to learn and a lot of growing up to do. I like to think I have learned a lot and that I have grown up. (Mentally, emotionally, and Spiritually; not just physically.) Life is a whole bunch more enjoyable now. I didn't know where I would be now back then and I don't really know much about what the future holds for me. It's whatever our Lord and Saviour wants it to be.

I had just dropped out of college and was getting ready to get married.

I was in college, driving a 1984 Ford Escort, (piece of smurf ) night supervisor at a sandwich shop and listening to Metal!!!!!!!!! The days when Metal ruled the world!!!!

Man, I was only 10 at the time...how the hell should I know what I was doing? I have a hard time remembering what I had to eat yesterday...

I wanted to be the drummer for Emerald but Kyle had the job already.

James B. wrote:

I wanted to be the drummer for Emerald but Kyle had the job already.

is that real? when exactly did you have that chance?

So how crazy was the Michael Jackson phonomenon back them? Did you guys have the red leather jacket?!

I had a Beat It t-shirt in 4th grade, baby!!!!


That would later become and embarassing shirt for multiple reasons!!

The red leather jacket was a coveted item with many. Parachute pants were a big deal.

spectrefate wrote:

The red leather jacket was a coveted item with many. Parachute pants were a big deal.

Parachute pants and the British Flag T-Shirt!!!!!! But, that would have been circa 1983/84. Fortunately, I don't have pictures of it!!!!

spectrefate wrote:

The red leather jacket was a coveted item with many. Parachute pants were a big deal.

Never had the slightest desire to have either one.

I remember our high schools' biggest metal head wearing "Hammer Pants" and he then lost all credibility with me! Poseur!

1988 i was swimming around in my dads ball sack