It will probably be too hot for leg warmers, but those loafers or roomy parachute pants might be worth fishing out of the attic this weekend.

For the past 14 Labor Day weekends, the Virginia Beach oceanfront, between 5th and 31st streets, has turned into a continual music party, with an emphasis on acts that recall the teen years of a few different generations.

Starting tomorrow, the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival will launch its 15th season with the funky divas of En Vogue.

This first blast of nostalgia is no accident -- the majority of this year's performers marinated in their greatest triumphs in the'80s and early'90s, and also earned a reputation as favorites during the AMF over the years.

Event organizers Beach Street USA and concert promoter Live Nation specifically corralled acts including Morris Day & The Time, WAR, Starship, and the band that will close the weekend, The B-52s, because of their previous popularity with attendees.

Of the 40 concerts taking place between Friday and Sunday, all but those on the main 5th Street Stage are free.

Admission for those shows -- Morris Day & The Time (with En Vogue and Bell Biv Devoe) tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.; Billy Idol (with The Blackjacks) Saturday at 7 p.m.; and The B-52s (with The Motels featuring Martha Davis) Sunday at 6:30 p.m. -- is $30 for a Passport Pin, which allows entry to all three shows, or individual tickets between $15-$25 can be purchased.

Free shows include Starship starring Mickey Thomas and the BoDeans (tomorrow); Los Lobos, Warrant and Eddie Money (Saturday); and WAR and Cherry Poppin' Daddies (Sunday).

If you need a refresher on the headliners, here's a look at what they've been up to since the glory years:

Morris Day & The Time

Claim to fame: Longtime pet project of Prince, who put the band in "Purple Rain," where it performed what became its two biggest hits, "Jungle Love" and "The Bird."

How they're best remembered: Day's catchphrase, "What time is it?" became a favorite in the'80s, while his and the Time's fluid synchronized dance steps and flamboyant outfits still inspire chuckles.

What they've done recently: The Time regrouped at this year's Grammy Awards, where it performed "Jungle Love" with Rihanna. This summer, all of the original members did a series of reunion shows in Las Vegas.

Billy Idol

Claim to fame: Considering his spiked platinum hair, the punky sneer and the dozen-plus top 50 hits, do we really need to elaborate?

How he's best remembered: Aside from the hair, the sneer and the hits? Well, he had that awesome cameo in 1998's "The Wedding Singer" and inspired the character Spike in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (in which he also appeared).

If the list of Idol's hits is escaping you, here are some reminders: "White Wedding," "Rebel Yell," "Eyes Without a Face," "Cradle of Love" and that unyielding wedding staple, his 1987 live remake of "Mony Mony."

What he's done recently: Idol is one of those pop culture icons who always seems to be around, even when he hasn't been seen in a year. He frequently tours, and his last proper release came in 2006 -- a Christmas album called "Billy Idol: Happy Holidays."

The B-52s

Claim to fame: "Tin roof . . . RUSTED," anyone?

How they're best remembered: The towering beehives of Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson; the bizarre, robotic dance moves and nasal speak-sung delivery of Fred Schneider; and an arsenal of songs that illustrate the word eclectic ("Rock Lobster," "Private Idaho," "Planet Claire" and, of course, the party principal, "Love Shack").

What they've done recently: In March came "Funplex," the band's first original release in 16 years. It debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard album chart and is filled with the type of giddy electro-surf-pop that is the group's wacky hallmark. The B's also performed on Cyndi Lauper's True Colors tour this summer.

Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or mruggieri@timesdispatch.com.