On May 5, 1984, Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of the Pretenders, married Jim Kerr, frontman of Simple Minds. The union brought together two of the most recognizable voices in 1980s rock, both known for their powerful stage presence and chart topping hits on opposite sides
On May 4, 1988, a massive explosion occurred at the PEPCON chemical plant in Henderson, Nevada, where ammonium perchlorate used for space shuttle fuel was being stored. The disaster killed 2 people, injured 372 others, and caused over 100 million dollars in property damage. The
On May 2, 1984, Jack Barry, the longtime host of the popular game show Joker’s Wild, passed away at the age of 66 from cardiac arrest. Barry had been a major figure in American television since the 1950s, both as a host and producer. Despite
On May 2, 1986, six days after the explosion at Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the city of Chernobyl was officially evacuated. While the nearby town of Pripyat had been evacuated on April 27, the full evacuation of surrounding areas including the
On May 2, 1989, Hungary began dismantling its border fence with Austria, a quiet but historic move that signaled the beginning of the end for the Iron Curtain. The opening allowed East Germans to cross into Austria and defect to the West, bypassing the heavily
On May 1, 1984, Mick Fleetwood, the drummer and co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, officially filed for bankruptcy. Despite the band’s enormous success through the late 70s and early 80s, Fleetwood’s financial troubles were caused by years of heavy spending, bad investments, and personal challenges. The
On May 1, 1989, police were called to a jewelry store in California after employees reported a suspicious man behaving oddly. When officers arrived, they discovered that the man in question was actually Michael Jackson shopping in disguise to avoid being recognized. Michael often wore
On May 1, 1989, Disney-MGM Studios officially opened at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The new theme park combined the magic of Hollywood with the excitement of a working production studio, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how movies and television shows were made.
On May 1, 1983, the Sydney Entertainment Centre officially opened its doors in Sydney, Australia. Built to host concerts, sporting events, and major entertainment productions, it quickly became one of the premier venues in the country. The Sydney Entertainment Centre attracted some of the biggest
On April 30, 1982, influential rock journalist Lester Bangs passed away from an overdose of prescription drugs at the age of 33. Known for his raw and passionate writing style, Bangs was one of the most recognizable voices in music journalism during the 1970s and