Martha Quinn doesn't let the 80s down

When you're an 80s addict, is there anyone you'd rather talk to than Martha Quinn?

One of MTV's original veejays 26 years ago, today Quinn is back in the news, lending her name and chicness to a new computer trivia game called "The 80s Game with Martha Quinn." She also hosts a weekly show on the Sirius satellite radio network called "Martha Quinn Presents Gods of the Big 80s."

Now 47 years old, she has not surprisingly tapped into the Dick Clark Fountain of Youth, retaining her pixie, girl-next-door looks and friendly yet frisky voice. (Click here for her official website, with her own podcast.)

She recently chatted with Stuck in the 80s to promote her trivia game. While Times pop critic Sean Daly flattered her non-stop, I chatted her up about her love of Bon Jovi, one-hit wonders and today's celebrity gossip websites. Here are some highlights from the interview. (Click here to listen to the full interview with Martha Quinn. Or click here to subscribe to all our podcasts for free on iTunes.)

Stuck in the 80s: Martha, your voice is essentially ingrained in our DNA. You must have guys coming up to you all the time expressing their love to you.

Martha Quinn: "No, this is what happens, and it's always a double-edged sword to me because I know people are trying to be nice. . ... Someone will say 'Oh Martha, I used to have the biggest crush on you.' I'm like, 'Oh you used to? Who do you have a crush on now.' Typical female.

When MTV started 25 years ago, did anyone at the network envision you'd became the face of the music television revolution?

"You're the first person to ever ask that question. ... You know it's funny, every once in a while, I'll read an article and if they talking about the 80s, I've actually seem them to refer to those as the 'Martha Quinn Years.' And I'm like, 'Oh my god, that's incredible.' No, I'm quite sure that nobody had any idea because, you know, I was just some goofy kid off the street basically. It just worked out that way. I can't explain it. ... It worked out great and I'm honored.

Is it a burden to have that responsibility fall on you?

"Well, I try not to drive and drive so that I don't let the 80s down. You know how I feel about it? It's so great that I do the Sirius show right now. ... It's totally reconnecting me with this group of people who I really feel like we came to age together."

Why are so many people still infatuated with the decade?

"I'm not sure. People are passionate about the 80s. It's really wild. I look back on it -- there was Reaganomics and the Reagan years and there was a lot going on in the world.  There was also a lot of real hard-core optimism. Everything from Garbage Pail Kids to the Smurfs to the Safety Dance. ...""

"People always love the period of time they grew up in before they took on adult responsibilities. You always love those years. But I do think that people who grew up in the 80s are more passionate about the 80s than any other decade. When the 50s came back, it was kind of a kitschy, cute revival."

The music was fun too. What did you listen to back then?

"I firmly believe there's an East Coast/West Coast divide on this. People who grew up on the East Coast are firm Bon Jovi [and] Aerosmith listeners. West Coast, Oingo Boingo [and] Depeche Mode."

"[For me, it was] Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Dexy's Midnight Runners."

Oh come on, you listened to just one Dexy's Midnight Runners song -- "Come On Eileen"!

"Yeah, but I listened to it over and over and over. That was back in the days when you could put a single on your turntable and switch the mode to repeat. ... My neighbors must have thought I was insane. I loved that song."

What interviews really stand out from your MTV days?

I interviewed Bob Dylan ... I was so frightened of this guy, and he was wonderful. I finally got to meet Paul McCartney, which was a total dream. ... I almost found that the bigger the celerity, the nicer they were. Frankie Goes To Hollywood came in -- Mark [Goodman] actually interviewed them -- and they were total d--ks. Totally! Mark actually at one point said, 'Listen, do you guys even want to do this interview?' "

"But that being said, tons of newcomers were awesome too, like the Go-Go's, whom I'm still friends with. The Stray Cats, the Red Hot Chili Peppers [too]. But you tend to be great when the camera is on."

What do you make of today's celebrity culture -- the tabloids, the gossip websites?

"I don't even go to the movies. I don't even watch TV. But I'm addicted to this stuff. It's crazy. I gotta see the latest on what's happening with Lindsay Lohan."

"I was just saying this to [former MTV veejay] Nina Blackwood: We missed the era of tabloids. If tabloids had been around back then, we would have been right there -- 'Nina Blackwood is dating who?!?' "

Click here to listen to the full interview with Martha Quinn. Or click here to subscribe to all our podcasts for free on iTunes.

Comments

[Dennis]

What a fantastic podcast, could just listen to it today, so a bit of belated posting, thanks Steve+Sean for doing this, really sounded like an old-friends-meeting up, could have easily listened to another 2 hours of that!

[Marissa]

This was an AWESOME podcast. I'm so glad there is a chick who is a mom and still retains her coolness. She hasn't shifted into dork-mode because she gave birth. She's married with children and still rockin' it.
I feel like I've been given the license to keep my long hair well into my 40s and crank up the tunes in the car and seat dance like it's 1985.
Nice work, Steve! Underneath the giddiness you gave a great interview. Well done!

Ahh , yes. The lovely Ms MQ. WHo wrecked soo many hearts! The key was -- she was gorgeous, sure - but EVEN BETTER- she was a smart MUSIC FREAK, and damn , that is a turn on. She was so great on MTV, I gott seek out her show now, thanks!!

So-- this was great to see, prompted by a comment in Bob Lefsetz column. If you don;t know him check out his smart, on time commentary on the crumbling music biz....

Love the long hair , Martha!! Thanks for the 80s inspiration

[Spears]

Thanks, everyone. Glad you liked it. Please give equal or greater credit to my co-host Sean Daly, who's like a zen wizard when it comes to interviewing these luminaries.

Usually, we cut out the flubs from interviews (or pre-record our introductions), but Martha was so -- well, "cute" is the only word -- CUTE about my screwup that we left the whole interview untouched.

We wanted everyone to experience Martha Quinn exactly the same way we did. Au natural.

[Carla]

Excellent, Excellent show Steve & Sean! Wow, how fun it was to hear her voice again. It's like hearing from a friend you haven't heard from in ages! She and Alan were my favorite V-Jays! She can still brighten all of our days! Miss you Martha!!

[Former Producer Dave]

Oh Steve, you really did it this time. What a fun show that was! Martha still sounds as cute and fun as she ever did. It's great that she is so enthusiastic about our favorite decade. To me, she will always be the "Face of the 80s" and she'll always be the kid sister I never had.

[Al]

Excellent job Steve. You've outdone yourself yet again.

I get nervous too when I broadcast sports live, and bam! As soon as the interview starts, you sound like a seasoned pro. Keep up the spectacular work!

You helped turn cutting the grass into a fun chore. That's a sign of the Apocalypse.

[Spears]

Andres -- Still waiting for that Guys Movie Night some weekend night. We'll queue up the classics and sample some adult beverages.

[Andres]

Steve, now you told me this was going to be something I wanted to listen to, and dam it I stopped my confernece calls and turned up my Ipod, I will say your right ! I owe you a beer for this one. Martha was it ! She was that girl next door, so cool, so yea I can hang with the guys, and so what I am a girl. Thanks owe you a beer next time I see ya -

[Hamptune]

It is interesting you used the phrase face of the 80's. When I think of faces of the 80's Martha is one of the people who is at or near the top of the list...

[Mr Matt]

Great interview. Glad I stumbled upon your site today. Really brightened up my Friday.

[Jennifer in France]

That was an AWESOME interview!!

[Stuckee]

Listening to your podcasts Steve, I keep thinking what a great interviewer you are. You keep it fresh for your celebrity guests who've been asked the same inane questions for years, and you always unearth new stuff for we 80s fans.

And Martha, it's hard to describe the feelings evoked whenever I see you! I didn't have a crush, but there was a positive vibe that was so decade-specific all over you. I wasn't the most optimistic guy when I was in college, but when the nose was dipping, tuning in to Martha Quinn really made a difference. She felt like the personification of hope, "there's life after this."

(To be honest the other veejays annoyed me. I'd think, just play a video, will ya! But Martha? Mmm mmm mmm, right with her all the way.)

[Bassnote]

Martha rocks!

[GlennS.]

Sometimes I read this blog and think maybe I wasn't such an 80's fan after all, but today's post gave me a wallop of nostalgia. I loved MTV in the early days and I loved The Mighty Quinn. Never mind Ms. Stewart -- for a lot of us Ms. Quinn will always be THE Martha.

Can't wait to listen to the podcast.

[Bill in Nokomis]

No Mojo Nixon references?

[Brad]

Oh Martha,

I'm in love all over again...