On This Day During the 80s
Travel back through the 1980s and discover what happened on this day in music, movies, television, pop culture and more.
262 On This Day Articles
On This Day February 13 1981 – American Pop Premiered in Theaters
On this day, February 13, 1981, American Pop premiered in theaters. Directed by Ralph Bakshi, this ambitious animated film chronicled the evolution of American music through four generations of a single family. Using Bakshi’s signature rotoscope animation technique, the film blended realism with artistic expression,
Read More
On This Day February 13 1981 – Eyewitness Premiered in Theaters
On this day, February 13, 1981, Eyewitness premiered in theaters. Directed by Peter Yates, this suspenseful thriller starred William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Christopher Plummer, Morgan Freeman, and James Woods. Blending mystery, crime, and romance, the film followed a janitor who becomes entangled in a murder
Read More
On This Day February 12, 1981 – Moving Pictures by Rush was Released
On this day, February 12, 1981, Rush released their eighth studio album, Moving Pictures . This legendary album became the band’s biggest commercial success, blending progressive rock with a more accessible sound that helped them reach a wider audience. Featuring iconic tracks like Tom Sawyer,
Read More
On This Day February 9 1981 – Fire Down Under by Riot Was Released
On this day, February 9, 1981, Riot released their third studio album, Fire Down Under , an album that would become a landmark in heavy metal history. Known for its high energy riffs, blistering solos, and raw intensity, the album was a defining moment for
Read More
On This Day February 7 1981 – Celebration by Kool & the Gang Became the Number One Song in America
On this day February 7 1981, Celebration by Kool & the Gang became the number one song in America, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of the most enduring party anthems of the 1980s. With its upbeat groove, infectious chorus,
Read More
On This Day February 6 1981 – The Brady Brides Premiered on NBC
On this day February 6 1981, The Brady Brides premiered on NBC, continuing the story of the beloved Brady family as it moved into a new decade. The sitcom followed the married lives of Jan and Marcia Brady, shifting focus from the original family household
Read More
On This Day February 3 1981 – Difficult to Cure by Rainbow Was Released
On this day February 3 1981, Difficult to Cure by Rainbow was released, marking a shift toward a more streamlined and radio friendly hard rock sound for the band. The album balanced heavy guitar driven tracks with melodic hooks, reflecting a tightening focus as the
Read More
On This Day February 2 1981 – The Gangster Chronicles Premiered on NBC
On this day February 2 1981, The Gangster Chronicles premiered on NBC, bringing a sweeping crime drama to prime time television. The series explored the rise of organized crime in America, focusing on power ambition and the underworld figures who shaped an era of criminal
Read More
On This Day February 2 1981 – Killers by Iron Maiden Was Released
On this day February 2 1981, Killers by Iron Maiden was released, delivering a faster darker and more aggressive follow up to the band’s debut album. Featuring sharper production and tighter performances, the album helped solidify Iron Maiden’s place in the rising New Wave of
Read More
On This Day February 2 1981 – Planet Earth by Duran Duran Was Released
On this day February 2 1981, Planet Earth by Duran Duran was released, marking the band’s debut single and the beginning of their rise in the early 1980s. Built around a driving bassline atmospheric synths and a cool detached vocal style, the song immediately set
Read More
On This Day February 1 1981 – Atomkraft? Nein, Danke! by Earthstar Was Released
On this day February 1 1981, Atomkraft? Nein, Danke! by Earthstar was released, presenting an atmospheric electronic album built around synthesizers mood and environmental themes. The record leaned into expansive soundscapes and minimalist structure, reflecting an early 1980s interest in electronic music as a form
Read More
On This Day February 26 1981 – Point of Entry by Judas Priest Was Released
On this day February 26 1981 Judas Priest released their seventh studio album Point of Entry . Following the success of British Steel, the band aimed for a more radio-friendly sound with this album, incorporating a mix of hard rock and melodic elements while still
Read More
On This Day February 25 1980 – Against the Wind by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band Was Released
On this day February 25 1980 Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band released Against the Wind their eleventh studio album and one of the most successful records of Seger’s career. The album quickly rose to the top of the US Billboard 200 where it
Read More
On This Day February 25 1980 – Warm Thoughts by Smokey Robinson Was Released
On this day February 25 1980 Smokey Robinson released his tenth solo album Warm Thoughts. While some sources such as Music Charts Archive list this as the official release date others like Discogs suggest the album was released in April 1980. Regardless of the exact
Read More
On This Day February 22 1980 – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Released Their Debut Album
On this day February 22 1980 Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released their self titled Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dar k debut album introducing the world to their signature blend of synthpop, new wave, and electronic experimentation. The album featured a mix of melancholic melodies,
Read More
On This Day February 22 1980 – The US Hockey Team Beat the Heavily Favored Soviet Union
On this day February 22 1980 the United States men’s hockey team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history by defeating the heavily favored Soviet Union in the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. The game became known as the Miracle on Ice
Read More
On This Day February 19 1980 – AC/DC’s Lead Singer Bon Scott Passed Away
On this day, February 19, 1980, rock and roll lost one of its most legendary voices as AC/DC’s lead singer Bon Scott passed away in London at the age of 33 due to alcohol poisoning. His death marked the end of an era for the
Read More
On This Day February 17 1980 – Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy Became the First to Climb Mount Everest in Winter
On this day, February 17, 1980, Polish climbers Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy made history by becoming the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest during winter. Their groundbreaking ascent was part of a Polish expedition led by Andrzej Zawada, marking one of
Read More
On This Day February 17 1980 – Tommy Tutone Released Their Debut Album
On this day, February 17, 1980, Tommy Tutone released their self titled debut album, introducing their blend of power pop and rock to the world. The album reached #68 on the Billboard charts and set the stage for the band’s rise in the early 80s.
Read More
On This Day February 16 1980 – Do That to Me One More Time by Captain & Tennille Hit #1
On this day, February 16, 1980, Do That to Me One More Time by Captain & Tennille reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, holding the top spot from February 16 to February 22. The soft rock ballad also climbed to #1 in Belgium
Read More
On This Day February 15 1980 – Earth & Sky by Graham Nash Released
On this day, February 15, 1980, Graham Nash released his third solo album, Earth & Sky . Known for his work with The Hollies and Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Nash continued his introspective songwriting on this album, blending folk, rock, and socially conscious lyrics. Unlike
Read More
On This Day February 15 1980 – Metal for Muthas Compilation Album Released
On this day, February 15, 1980, Metal for Muthas was released, a landmark compilation album that helped define the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Featuring bands like Angel Witch, Iron Maiden, and Samson, the album introduced a new generation of heavy metal acts
Read More
On This Day February 15 1980 – Get Happy! by Elvis Costello & The Attractions Released
On this day, February 15, 1980, Elvis Costello & The Attractions released his fourth studio album, Get Happy! . The album saw Costello and his band, The Attractions, shift toward a soul and R&B-influenced sound while still maintaining their signature new wave energy. The result
Read More
On This Day February 15, 1980 – Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School by Warren Zevon Released
On this day, February 15, 1980, Warren Zevon released Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School , his fourth studio album. Known for his sharp wit and darkly humorous songwriting, Zevon continued his mix of rock, blues, and storytelling with this album, which reached #20 on
Read More