For the first time since the 1990 season, the Wings will not be a part of the NHL Playoffs. After 25 straight trips, the string is over.

So what did we do with all that free time that we had in 1990 because we didn't have any playoffs to watch?

Oh, we had tons of fun...

The last time the Red Wings weren't in the playoffs, the FIRST George Bush was the President, gas was $1.34 a gallon and The Simpsons was a brand new TV show.

The number one song in the country was 'Balck Velvet' by Alannah Myles.

The Griffins didn't exist, and neither did Van Andel Arena. You had to drive to Muskegon to see the Lumberjacks play if you wanted to get your hockey fix, but they were pretty good and in 1990 they won the East Division, but lost in the finals of the IHL's Turner Cup playoffs. (Fun fact: Only two players on the Griffins' current roster were even born yet.)

Elsewhere in Grand Rapids we were...

...hanging out at Top of the Rock, and if we were more adventurous in our musical tastes, The Reptile House...

..checking out brand new music from a guy from Detroit named Eminem...his first single called 'Cheese and Crackers' was released...it went nowhere...

Dustin Hoffman And His Children Attended Two Sold Out Concerts By Rap A
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...we were shopping at Rogers Department store, their mascot was a raccoon...

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...going to see a new band called Bruce Hornsby and the Range at DeVos Hall...That year, Club Eastbrook hosted Tears For Fears and Slayer...

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...or spending a spring evening at the Cascade Drive In on 28th Street

...strolling down the middle of Monroe Center, which was blocked off as an outdoor mall...

...watching former South Christian star Matt Steigenga lead Michigan State to the Sweet 16...

Matt Steigenga
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...we were venturing over to the Pontiac Silverdome to see The Who and other shows and Lions games, with Barry Sanders at running back...

Rams v Lions X
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...eating at Rosie's Diner in Rockford...

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And who needed the Red Wings when the Detroit Pistons were winning their second straight NBA title with Bill Laimbeer and the Bad Boys...'

Bill Laimbeer
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And I was doing morning radio in Muskegon at 104.5 Sunny FM...

What were YOU doing in 1990?

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