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Table of Contents
Dirty Laundry : An Alternate 1980s
A popcultural late 20th century timeline, written by Andrew T. You can find it here.
Premise and POD
On December 14, 1981, while former Eagles drummer Don Henley and songwriter Danny Kortchmar are writing material for Henley's upcoming album I Can't Stand Still, Kortchmar accidentally spills vodka all over their notes for the final song to the album. At the coaxing of Henley's girlfriend Maren Jensen, they decide to go to bed, leaving what would have been the final song on the album, the would-be #3 hit “Dirty Laundry”, unwritten. As such, the album is released without it, and flops without its only hit, prompting Henley to call it quits in the music business.
The rest of the timeline chronicles the changes that occur in the world, which range from music and movies to sports and even politics. See how the world changes, all because of one song!
Key Players
Don Henley: The focal point of the timeline. Former frontman and drummer for The Eagles, Henley's first (and presumably last) solo album, I Can't Stand Still, bombs without a successful single to back it up. As such, Henley is dropped from his contract with the Asylum Records label. Distraught, Don moves back to his home state of Texas, where he begins a friendship with Texas Senatorial candidate Lloyd Doggett, and eventually, a career in politics.
Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar: Henley's songwriting partner. After accidentally spilling vodka all over Henley's notes, Henley and “Kootch” nonetheless remain good friends, and Henley eventually makes Kortchmar Henley's campaign manager in his run for Congress in 1985.