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.
389 On This Day Articles
On This Day August 31 1983 – All Night Long Released
On this day August 31 1983, Lionel Richie released his iconic single All Night Long from the album Can't Slow Down. Blending pop, soul, and Caribbean rhythms, the track became a defining hit of the decade and showcased Richie's versatility as a solo artist. The
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On This Day August 31 1983 – Hello Big Man Released
On this day August 31 1983, Carly Simon released her twelfth studio album, Hello Big Man . The album marked a return to a more personal and jazz-infused sound for Simon after exploring pop and rock throughout the late 70s and early 80s. With its
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On This Day August 31 1983 – Microwave Massacre Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 31 1983, Microwave Massacre premiered in theaters. This outrageous horror comedy followed Donald, a disgruntled construction worker who grows tired of his wife's gourmet health food and begins satisfying his cravings in shocking ways. With crude humor, absurd gore, and a
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On This Day August 30 1983 – Mummer by XTC Was Released
On this day August 30 1983, Mummer by XTC was released. As the band’s sixth studio album, it marked a major transition in both sound and direction following their decision to stop touring entirely after frontman Andy Partridge experienced severe stage fright. The result was
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On This Day August 26 1983 – Young Warriors Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 26 1983, Young Warriors premiered in theaters as a gritty vigilante drama that followed a group of college students who form a gang to fight street crime after a brutal family tragedy. What begins as grief turns into a dangerous spiral
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On This Day August 26 1983 – Fire and Ice Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 26 1983, the animated fantasy adventure Fire and Ice premiered in theaters. Directed by Ralph Bakshi and produced in collaboration with fantasy illustrator Frank Frazetta, the film stood out for its innovative rotoscope animation and striking visual style. Fire and Ice
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On This Day August 26 1983 – Hercules Premiered in Theaters
The 1983 fantasy film Hercules brought the mythological legend to the big screen in an over-the-top sci fi style that could only happen in the 1980s. Starring bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno as the mighty hero, this version transported Hercules into outer space and pitted him against
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On This Day August 26 1983 – Strange Brew Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 26 1983, comedy fans got their first taste of Canadian absurdity when Strange Brew premiered in theaters. Starring Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas as the iconic McKenzie brothers, the film brought the beloved SCTV characters to the big screen in a
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On This Day August 25 1983 – Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 25 1983, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence premiered in theaters. This powerful war drama brought together David Bowie and Japanese music legend Ryuichi Sakamoto in a haunting and emotional story about culture, captivity, and honor during World War II. Set in a
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On This Day August 24 1983 – Bent Out of Shape by Rainbow Released
On this day August 24 1983, Bent Out of Shape by Rainbow was released. As their seventh album, it delivered a blend of soaring vocals, melodic hooks, and polished guitar wizardry that showcased the band’s evolution through the 80s. Tracks like Street of Dreams carried
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On This Day August 20 1982 – Yazoo Released Their Debut Album Upstairs at Eric’s
On this day August 20 1982, Yazoo released their debut album Upstairs at Eric's . The record quickly established the duo of Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke as one of the defining acts in the emerging synth pop scene. The album featured standout tracks like
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On This Day August 20 1982 – The Beastmaster Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 20 1982, The Beastmaster premiered in theaters, bringing audiences a sword and sorcery adventure filled with magic, danger, and unforgettable fantasy imagery. The film followed Dar, a warrior gifted with the mystical ability to communicate with animals, as he set out
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On This Day August 18 1982 – Four Streets in England Named After The Beatles
On this day August 18 1982, a housing project in Liverpool honored its most famous musical export by naming four streets after The Beatles. The development included thoroughfares bearing the names of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, giving fans a permanent
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On This Day August 17 1982 – First Mass Production of Compact Discs in Langenhagen Germany
On this day August 17 1982, the first mass production of compact discs began at a factory in Langenhagen, Germany. This breakthrough marked the start of a new era in music technology, offering a clearer, more durable alternative to vinyl records and cassette tapes. The
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On This Day August 13 1982 – Don Henley Released His Debut Solo Album I Can’t Stand Still
On this day August 13 1982, Don Henley released his debut solo album, I Can't Stand Still , stepping out from the shadow of the Eagles and establishing his voice as a solo artist. The album blended personal storytelling with sharp commentary, marking the beginning
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On This Day August 13 1982 – Fast Times at Ridgemont High Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 13 1982, Fast Times at Ridgemont High premiered in theaters and introduced a new kind of teen comedy that blended outrageous humor with honest storytelling. Directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe, the film was based on Crowe’s undercover
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On This Day August 13 1982 – Molly Ringwald Made Her Film Debut in Tempest
On this day August 13 1982, Tempest premiered in theaters, marking the film debut of Molly Ringwald. Directed by Paul Mazursky, the film was a modern reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s play and starred John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon, and a young Ringwald in her first
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On This Day August 13 1982 – Friday the 13th Part III Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 13 1982, Friday the 13th Part III premiered in theaters, delivering a new round of slasher mayhem and a major turning point in horror history. Not only did the film bring Jason Voorhees back to terrorize another group of unsuspecting teens,
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On This Day August 11 1982 – Bombing on Pan Am Flight 830 Killed One and Injured Fifteen
On this day August 11 1982, tragedy struck Pan Am Flight 830 when a bomb exploded mid flight during its journey from Tokyo to Honolulu. The explosion occurred over the Pacific Ocean and killed one passenger while injuring fifteen others. The device had been placed
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On This Day August 9 1982 – Filthy Rich Premiered on CBS
On this day August 9 1982, Filthy Rich premiered on CBS. Created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, this offbeat Southern comedy put a satirical spin on wealth, greed, and family dysfunction. With its over the top characters and soap opera flair, the show offered a parody of
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On This Day August 6 1982 – Judas Priest Released You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ in the United Kingdom
On this day August 6 1982, Judas Priest released You've Got Another Thing Comin' as a single in the United Kingdom from their classic album Screaming for Vengeance. Written by Rob Halford, K.K. Downing, and Glenn Tipton, the song combined thunderous guitar riffs, soaring vocals,
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On This Day August 6 1982 – Things Are Tough All Over Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 6 1982, Things Are Tough All Over premiered in theaters, continuing the wild and stoner fueled adventures of Cheech and Chong. This time, the comedy duo played dual roles as themselves and as two wealthy Arab businessmen in a cross country
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On This Day August 2 1982 – Talking Back To The Night By Steve Winwood Was Released
On this day August 2 1982, Talking Back to the Night by Steve Winwood was released, marking his third solo album and continuing his transition from 60s and 70s rock into a more synth driven 80s sound. The album showcased Winwood’s ability to blend soulful
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On This Day August 31 1982 – Ronnie James Dio Played His Final Show With Black Sabbath
On this day August 31 1982, Ronnie James Dio performed for the last time as lead singer of Black Sabbath during the Mob Rules Tour. The final concert took place in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, marking the end of a short but powerful chapter in the
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