one of my first (of many) instore tantrums was over a pair of starlight express rollerboots.
skating, indeed many forms of exercise, were popular pastimes in the 70s and 80s in a way that they’re just not now. computers were basic, tv was limited to three channels, so you got off your arse and went outside. girls skated and french skipped, boys played football or hit things with sticks.
roller discos, therefore, were good places for boys to meet girls, once they got over that whole ‘girls are stupid’ phase. skating though, had potential for embarrassment. and boys didn’t look that cool skating.
so, most venues were built around the twin concepts of roller rinks for the girls and skateboard ramps for the boys. and a wall’s ice cream stand in the middle for hook-ups…with the retro yellow branding not the rubbish continental style brand they have now.
bb biz r – sucker for your love
bobby demo – bugs-b-skate-rap
cameo – rollerskates
doug e fresh and slick rick – the show
indeep – last night a dj saved my life
kurtis blow – don’t stop the body rock
newcleus- jam on it
rocksteady crew – hey you, the rocksteady crew
salt-n-pepa – push it
shannon – let the music play
soul sonic force – electric kingdom
white shadow – boogie freak
dirty martini 
