(Don't You) Forget About Him: R.I.P. John Hughes

With the possible exception of the also-recently-deceased Michael Jackson, no one had a greater cultural influence on the 1980s than the great John Hughes, who passed away last week at age 58.

And because my frame of reference was very similarly suburban to the physical and psycho-sexual landscapes Hughes explored in The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Hughes's work had much more impact than the homoerotic gang fights of "Beat It," a white glitter glove or endless rounds of rhinoplasty.

In addition to being one of the most-quoted writers of all time, Hughes was also probably the most music-friendly mainstream film director since Martin Scorcese, and his love of new wave and rock & roll cast a shadow over the decade as well. And like so few in show business - Johnny Carson and Greta Garbo are the only other examples that come to mind - he knew when it was time to get out of the spotlight, and stayed there.

Herewith, a few of Hughes's greatest music related moments. RIP, JH.
Simple Minds: "(Don't You) Forget About Me" EXTENDED 12" MIX; The Breakfast Club


Lindsay Buckingham: "Holiday Road;" Vacation


The Beatles: "Twist and Shout"; Ferris Bueller's Day Off
I believe Ferris put the Beatles back in the Billboard Top Ten in 1986 - that dude could do anything.


By the way, John, thanks for loanin' me the Donger - he's really bitchin.'