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.
450 On This Day Articles
On This Day March 23 1982 – Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet by Rick Springfield Was Released
On this day March 23 1982 Rick Springfield released his fifth studio album Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet. The album was a major success reaching number 2 on the Billboard charts and solidifying Springfield’s status as one of the biggest pop rock stars of the
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On This Day March 22 1982 – The Final Episode of Mr. Merlin Aired
On this day March 22 1982 the final episode of the fantasy sitcom Mr. Merlin aired on CBS. The series followed the legendary wizard Merlin now living in modern-day San Francisco as a mechanic. He takes on a young apprentice whom he must train while
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On This Day March 22 1982 – Cameo Released Their Album Alligator Woman
On this day March 22 1982 funk and R&B group Cameo released their eighth studio album Alligator Woman. The album reached number 23 on the Billboard 200 and further solidified the band’s transition from full funk to a more polished R&B and new wave influenced
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On This Day March 22 1982 – The Beatles Released the Compilation Album Reel Music
On this day March 22 1982 The Beatles released the compilation album Reel Music. The album reached number 19 on the Billboard 200 and featured songs from the band’s classic films including A Hard Day’s Night Help and Yellow Submarine. Reel Music was a unique
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On This Day March 22 1982 – NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia Launched on Its Third Mission (STS-3)
On this day March 22 1982 NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia was launched from Kennedy Space Center on its third mission STS-3. This was Columbia's final test flight before operational missions began marking another major step in the Space Shuttle program. The mission was piloted by
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On This Day March 22 1982 – Iron Maiden Released The Number of the Beast
On this day March 22 1982 Iron Maiden released their third studio album The Number of the Beast. The album became a landmark in heavy metal reaching number one in the UK and peaking at number 33 on the Billboard 200. It is widely regarded
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On This Day March 20 1982 – I Love Rock n Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Became the Number One Song in America
On this day March 20 1982 I Love Rock n Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 where it stayed for an impressive seven weeks until May 7. The song also topped the charts in Canada
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On This Day March 19 1982 – Deathtrap Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 19 1982 the mystery thriller Deathtrap premiered in theaters. Directed by Sidney Lumet the film starred Michael Caine Dyan Cannon and Christopher Reeve in a suspenseful story filled with twists and dark humor. Based on the hit Broadway play Deathtrap followed
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On This Day March 19 1982 – The Phoenix Premiered on ABC
On this day March 19 1982 the sci-fi adventure series The Phoenix premiered on ABC. The show followed Bennu an ancient alien with extraordinary abilities who awakens from a centuries-long sleep and searches for his lost companion while being pursued by government agents. Starring Judson
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On This Day March 19 1982 – After the Fire Released Their Album Batteries Not Included
On this day March 19 1982 British rock band After the Fire released their fourth and final studio album Batteries Not Included. The album blended new wave and progressive rock influences showcasing the band's signature synth-driven sound. Despite critical praise Batteries Not Included struggled commercially
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On This Day March 19 1982 – Mike Oldfield Released His Album Five Mile Out
On this day March 19 1982 Mike Oldfield released his seventh studio album Five Mile Out. The album combined elements of progressive rock and folk with synthesizer-driven sounds creating a unique and atmospheric listening experience. Five Mile Out reached number seven on the UK charts
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On This Day March 19 1982 – Ozzy Osbourne’s Lead Guitarist Randy Rhoads Was Killed in a Plane Crash
On this day March 19 1982 Randy Rhoads the legendary lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne was tragically killed in a plane crash at the age of 25. The accident occurred in Leesburg Florida when Rhoads and two others took an unauthorized flight in a small
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On This Day March 18 1982 – Asia Released Their Debut Album
On this day March 18 1982 the rock supergroup Asia released their self-titled debut album. The album became an instant success reaching number one on the US Billboard 200 charts and also hitting number one in Canada. Asia featured a blend of progressive rock and
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On This Day March 18 1982 – Singer Teddy Pendergrass Was Paralyzed in a Car Accident
On this day March 18 1982 R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass was involved in a devastating car accident in Philadelphia that left him paralyzed from the chest down. The accident occurred when his Rolls-Royce crashed into a guardrail after the brakes reportedly failed. At the time
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On This Day March 17 1982 – Herbie the Matchmaker Premiered on CBS
On this day March 17 1982 the short lived television series Herbie the Matchmaker premiered on CBS. The show was based on Disney’s beloved Herbie the Love Bug character and followed the adventures of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle as it helped people find love and
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On This Day March 16 1982 – Victor/Victoria Premiered at Filmex
On this day March 16 1982 the musical comedy Victor/Victoria premiered at FILMEX, the Los Angeles International Film Exposition. Directed by Blake Edwards, the film starred Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren, John Rhys-Davies, and Alex Karras. Set in 1930s Paris, Victor/Victoria
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On This Day March 15 1982 – Shoot Out the Lights by Richard and Linda Thompson Was Released
On this day March 15 1982 Richard and Linda Thompson released their sixth and final studio album Shoot Out the Lights. The album was widely praised for its raw emotional depth and masterful songwriting blending folk rock and British folk influences. Despite the turbulent personal
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On This Day March 14 1982 – Europe Released Their Debut Album
On this day March 14 1982 Swedish rock band Europe released their self titled debut album. The album introduced the band's melodic hard rock sound and set the stage for their later success. Europe reached number eight on the Swedish charts and featured songs like
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On This Day March 14 1982 – The South African Government Bombed the African National Congress Headquarters in London
On this day March 14 1982 agents of the South African government carried out a bombing attack on the headquarters of the African National Congress (ANC) in London. The attack was part of South Africa’s efforts to suppress anti apartheid activism abroad. The explosion caused
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On This Day March 13 1982 – T.J. Hooker Premiered on ABC
On this day March 13 1982 the police drama T.J. Hooker premiered on ABC. Starring William Shatner as veteran cop Sergeant T.J. Hooker the show followed his mission to clean up the streets while training new recruits. The series ran for five seasons with a
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On This Day March 12 1982 – Parasite 3D Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 12 1982 the sci-fi horror film Parasite 3D premiered in theaters. Directed by Charles Band the film starred Robert Glaudini and a young Demi Moore in one of her earliest roles. Parasite was part of the early 80s resurgence of 3D
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On This Day March 12 1982 – The Gift by The Jam Was Released
On this day March 12 1982 The Jam released their sixth and final studio album The Gift. The album showcased a shift in their sound incorporating more soul and funk influences while still retaining their signature mod revival style. The Gift reached number 82 on
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On This Day March 12 1982 – Borrowed Time by Diamond Head Was Released
On this day March 12 1982 British heavy metal band Diamond Head released their second studio album Borrowed Time. The album marked a shift toward a more polished production style compared to their raw and influential debut Lightning to the Nations. Borrowed Time reached number
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On This Day March 12 1982 – Diamond by Spandau Ballet Was Released
On this day March 12 1982 Spandau Ballet released their second album Diamond. The album showcased the band's transition from their early new wave and synth pop sound to a more experimental and polished style. Featuring a mix of danceable grooves and atmospheric tracks Diamond
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