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.
631 On This Day Articles
On This Day September 27, 1986 – Metallica Bassist Cliff Burton Was Killed in a Tour Bus Accident in Sweden During The Master of Puppets Tour
On this day September 27, 1986 Metallica suffered a devastating loss when bassist Cliff Burton was killed in a tour bus accident in Sweden during The Master of Puppets tour. Burton was only 24 years old, and his death marked one of the most tragic
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On This Day September 26, 1986 – Vigilante by Magnum Was Released
On this day September 26, 1986 Vigilante by Magnum was released. The album marked a significant step forward for the British rock band, blending melodic rock with powerful anthems and polished production that expanded their sound and appeal. Produced by Roger Taylor of Queen, Vigilante
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On This Day September 26, 1986 – Crocodile Dundee Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 26, 1986 the comedy adventure film Crocodile Dundee premiered in theaters. The movie became an international sensation, introducing audiences to the charming and rugged Australian bushman Mick Dundee and launching one of the most successful film franchises of the decade. The
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On This Day September 25, 1986 – Our World Premiered on ABC
On this day September 25, 1986 the news and documentary series Our World premiered on ABC. Hosted by Linda Ellerbee and Ray Gandolf, the show offered a unique approach to television journalism by exploring specific historical events and cultural moments within the context of the
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On This Day September 23, 1986 – Tina Turner Released Break Every Rule
On this day September 23, 1986 Tina Turner released her sixth studio album, Break Every Rule . Following the massive success of her comeback album Private Dancer, Turner continued her dominance of the decade with a record that blended rock, pop, and soulful ballads. The
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On This Day September 23, 1986 – Boston Released Third Stage
On this day September 23, 1986 Boston released their third studio album, Third Stage . After an eight year gap since their previous album, the band returned with a polished and powerful collection that quickly became a major success. Third Stage featured the chart topping
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On This Day September 23, 1986 – Sledge Hammer! Premiered on ABC
On this day September 23, 1986 the satirical cop sitcom Sledge Hammer! premiered. The show followed Inspector Sledge Hammer, an over the top police detective whose love of guns and aggressive style made him both a parody and a critique of the hard edged action
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On This Day September 20 1986 – This Mortal Coil Released Filigree and Shadow
On this day September 20 1986, Filigree and Shadow was released, the second album by the British collective This Mortal Coil. Unlike traditional bands, This Mortal Coil was a project led by Ivo Watts Russell of 4AD Records, featuring a rotating lineup of guest musicians
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On This Day September 22, 1986 – Alice Cooper Released Constrictor
On this day September 22, 1986 Alice Cooper released his ninth solo album, Constrictor . After a brief hiatus from recording, Cooper returned with a harder edge and a renewed energy that reintroduced him to fans and the heavy metal scene of the mid 80s.
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On This Day September 22, 1986 – Dennis the Menace Animated Series Premiered in Syndication
On this day September 22, 1986 the animated series Dennis the Menace premiered in syndication. Based on the classic comic strip character created by Hank Ketcham, the show brought the mischievous adventures of young Dennis Mitchell to a new generation of viewers during the 80s.
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On This Day September 22, 1986 – Together We Stand Premiered on CBS
On this day September 22, 1986 the sitcom Together We Stand premiered on CBS. The series starred Elliott Gould and Dee Wallace as David and Lori Randall, parents raising a blended family that included both biological and adopted children from different backgrounds. The show focused
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On This Day September 22, 1986 – ALF Premiered on NBC
On this day September 22, 1986 the sitcom ALF premiered on NBC. The show centered on Gordon Shumway, a wisecracking alien from the planet Melmac who crash-landed in the garage of the suburban Tanner family. Nicknamed ALF, short for Alien Life Form, he quickly became
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On This Day September 20 1986 – Stuck With You Became the #1 Song in America
On this day September 20 1986, Stuck With You by Huey Lewis and the News hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The upbeat love song, featured on their album Fore!, showcased the band’s signature blend of catchy hooks and polished pop rock. The
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On This Day September 20 1986 – Down by Law Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 20 1986, Down by Law premiered in theaters. Directed by Jim Jarmusch, the cult classic followed three men, played by Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni, who meet in a New Orleans jail and form an unlikely bond as they
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On This Day September 20 1986 – The Ellen Burstyn Show Premiered on ABC
On this day September 20 1986, The Ellen Burstyn Show premiered on ABC. The sitcom starred Ellen Burstyn as a college professor and single mother balancing her career with raising her daughter, played by Megan Mullally in one of her earliest television roles. The series
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On This Day September 20 1986 – Heart of the City Premiered on ABC
On this day September 20 1986, Heart of the City premiered on ABC. The crime drama starred Robert Desiderio as Wes Kennedy, a detective raising his two teenage children after the death of his wife. The series balanced gritty police work with family drama, showing
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On This Day September 20 1986 – Life With Lucy Premiered on ABC
On this day September 20 1986, Life With Lucy premiered on ABC. The sitcom marked the return of Lucille Ball to primetime television, where she starred as Lucy Barker, a grandmother who moves in with her daughter’s family and becomes co owner of a hardware
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On This Day September 19 1986 – Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? Album by Megadeth Released
On this day September 19 1986, Megadeth released their second studio album Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? . The record marked a breakthrough for the band, combining technical precision with politically charged lyrics that helped define the thrash metal genre. Featuring standout tracks like Wake
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On This Day September 19 1986 – The Name of the Rose Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 19 1986, The Name of the Rose premiered in theaters. Based on Umberto Eco’s best selling novel, the film starred Sean Connery as William of Baskerville, a Franciscan friar investigating a series of mysterious deaths at a remote medieval monastery. Blending
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On This Day September 19 1986 – Blue Velvet Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 19 1986, Blue Velvet premiered in theaters. Directed by David Lynch, the film explored the dark undercurrents of small town America through the eyes of Jeffrey Beaumont, who discovers a severed ear and is drawn into a disturbing mystery. Starring Kyle
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On This Day September 19 1986 – The Men’s Club Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 19 1986, The Men's Club premiered in theaters. Based on the novel by Leonard Michaels, the drama explored the lives of seven men who gather regularly to discuss their personal struggles, relationships, and desires. Starring Harvey Keitel, Roy Scheider, Frank Langella,
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On This Day September 19 1986 – Starman Premiered on ABC
On this day September 19 1986, Starman premiered on ABC. Based on the 1984 film, the series continued the story of the alien visitor, now returning to Earth to reconnect with the son he never knew while evading government pursuers. Starring Robert Hays as the
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On This Day September 18 1986 – Crime Story Premiered on NBC
On this day September 18 1986, Crime Story premiered on NBC. The crime drama, created by Michael Mann, was set in the early 1960s and followed Lt. Mike Torello, played by Dennis Farina, as he pursued rising mobster Ray Luca across America. The show stood
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On This Day September 17 1986 – Head of the Class Premiered on ABC
On this day September 17 1986, the sitcom Head of the Class premiered on ABC. The series centered on a group of gifted high school students in the Individualized Honors Program at Millard Fillmore High School, guided by unconventional history teacher Charlie Moore, played by
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