Looking back at my tape collection, it's a wild ride. I'm talking a serious mix of hard rock and arena anthems. You know, bands like AC/DC and Aerosmith blasting out those raw, powerful riffs, right next to the soaring vocals of Journey and Foreigner. Then there's the heavier stuff, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, setting a darker, more intense mood. It was all about that energy, those guitar solos, and those sing-along choruses that just filled up a room.

But it wasn't just about the loud stuff. I had a soft spot for the classic rock grooves of Steely Dan and the Eagles, and even some of the new wave vibes of Blondie and The Go-Go's. And let's not forget the pure, unadulterated fun of bands like Cheap Trick and Twisted Sister. It was a time when music felt larger than life, and every band had a unique sound that just stuck with you. That whole era, it shaped my taste in a way that still resonates today.