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.
3,607 On This Day Articles
On This Day September 12 1980 – Black Sea by XTC Fourth Album Released
On this day September 12 1980, XTC released their fourth studio album Black Sea . Building on the momentum of Drums and Wires, the record showcased the band’s sharp songwriting, inventive arrangements, and balance of angular post punk energy with more melodic pop sensibilities. The
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On This Day September 12 1980 – Scary Monsters And Super Creeps by David Bowie Fourteenth Album Released
On this day September 12 1980, David Bowie released his fourteenth studio album Scary Monsters And Super Creeps . Often regarded as one of his greatest works, the record marked the end of his experimental Berlin Trilogy period while reintroducing a more accessible rock edge
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On This Day September 10 1980 – The Exterminator Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 10 1980, The Exterminator premiered in theaters. The gritty vigilante action film told the story of a Vietnam veteran who takes justice into his own hands after his friend is brutally attacked, launching a violent crusade against criminals in New York
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On This Day September 9 1980 – Phobia Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 9 1980, Phobia premiered in theaters. Directed by John Huston, the psychological thriller followed a psychiatrist whose experimental treatments for extreme phobias begin to backfire with terrifying results. The film stood out for its focus on the darker corners of the
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On This Day September 9 1980 – Out of Control by Peter Criss Second Solo Album Released
On this day September 9 1980, Peter Criss, the original drummer of KISS, released his second solo album Out of Control . Coming two years after his first self titled solo record, the album showcased Criss stepping further away from the KISS sound, leaning into
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On This Day September 8 1980 – Times Square Soundtrack Released
On this day September 8 1980, the Times Square soundtrack was released as a companion album to the cult film of the same name. Issued as a double LP, the album became a standout of the early 80s thanks to its diverse mix of punk,
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On This Day September 8 1980 – Never for Ever by Kate Bush Third Album Released
On this day September 8 1980, Kate Bush released her third studio album Never for Ever . The record was a landmark in her career as it became the first album by a female solo artist to debut at number one on the UK Albums
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On This Day September 8 1980 – Battle Beyond the Stars Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 8 1980, Battle Beyond the Stars premiered in theaters. Produced by Roger Corman, this space adventure was created as his answer to the massive popularity of Star Wars, combining science fiction spectacle with the resourceful ingenuity of low budget filmmaking. The
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On This Day September 6 1980 – The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show Premiered on CBS
On this day September 6 1980, The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show premiered on CBS. The animated series brought the classic cat and mouse duo back to Saturday morning television with new adventures that captured the slapstick humor fans had loved for decades. The show
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On This Day September 6 1980 – Livewire Premiered on Nickelodeon
On this day September 6 1980, Livewire premiered on Nickelodeon. The show was a live talk and variety program aimed at teenagers, offering music performances, celebrity interviews, and segments that spoke directly to young audiences. Hosted by Fred Newman, it quickly became known for its
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On This Day September 6 1980 – “Upside Down” by Diana Ross Became the #1 Song in America
On this day September 6 1980, Diana Ross reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with Upside Down . The single arrived as a bold statement at the dawn of a new decade, pairing Ross’s smooth delivery with the precise musicianship of Nile Rodgers
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On This Day September 5, 1980 – Waiting for a Miracle by Comsat Angels was Released
On this day September 5, 1980, the debut album Waiting for a Miracle by Comsat Angels was released. Emerging from the Sheffield music scene, the band delivered a dark and atmospheric post punk sound that stood apart from their peers. With layered guitars, moody vocals,
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On This Day September 5, 1980 – Gary Numan’s 2nd Album Telekon was Released
On this day September 5, 1980, the second solo album by Gary Numan, Telekon , was released. Building on the momentum of his earlier success, the album continued to explore a futuristic and emotionally detached sound that had become his signature. With layers of analog
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On This Day September 5 1980 – The Gotthard Road Tunnel Opened in Switzerland
On this day September 5 1980, the Gotthard Road Tunnel officially opened in Switzerland. At the time of its inauguration, it was the longest highway tunnel in the world, stretching just over 10 miles beneath the Swiss Alps. This engineering marvel connected Göschenen in the
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On This Day September 4 1980 – Final Episode of Angie Aired
On this day September 4 1980, the final episode of Angie aired on ABC. The sitcom starred Donna Pescow as a warmhearted waitress who falls in love with a successful doctor, played by Robert Hays. It blended humor with heart and explored themes of love,
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On This Day September 2 1980 – Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables Released
On this day September 2 1980, the Dead Kennedys released their debut album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables . With its aggressive political message and fast tempo, this album helped define American hardcore punk at the dawn of the 1980s. Songs like Holiday in Cambodia
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On This Day September 1 1980 – Change of Address Released
On this day September 1 1980, British instrumental rock group The Shadows released their thirteenth studio album Change of Address . The album featured a mix of original tracks and instrumental covers, continuing the band’s legacy of smooth guitar melodies and polished production. Though their
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On This Day September 1 1980 – Supertramp Released Paris
On this day September 1 1980, Supertramp released their live double album Paris. Recorded during their 1979 tour stop at the Pavilion de Paris, the album captured the band’s tight musicianship and dynamic stage presence at a time when they were riding high from the
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On This Day August 30 1980 – Sailing by Christopher Cross Hit Number One in the US
On this day August 30 1980, Sailing by Christopher Cross reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The smooth and soothing ballad became a defining track of the early 1980s soft rock movement, blending gentle melodies with reflective lyrics that captured a sense of
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On This Day August 29 1980 – A by Jethro Tull Was Released in the UK
On this day August 29 1980, A by Jethro Tull was released in the United Kingdom. Originally intended as a solo project by Ian Anderson, the album was eventually released under the band’s name and marked a shift in sound toward synthesizers and a more
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On This Day August 29 1980 – Signing Off by UB40 Was Released
On this day August 29 1980, Signing Off by UB40 was released. The debut album from the British reggae band delivered a socially conscious and musically rich statement that set them apart from their peers. Blending politically charged lyrics with dub inspired rhythms and sax
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On This Day August 29 1980 – He Knows You Are Alone Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 29 1980, He Knows You Are Alone premiered in theaters. One of the early entries in the slasher film wave that followed the success of Halloween and Friday the 13th, the movie delivered a suspenseful tale centered around a killer who
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On This Day August 28 1980 – Final Episode of Nobody’s Perfect Aired
On this day August 28 1980, the final episode of Nobody’s Perfect aired on television. The series starred Ron Moody as Inspector Roger Hart, a British detective assigned to the San Francisco Police Department. Known for his overly formal ways and constant misunderstandings, Hart often
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On This Day August 27 1980 – Wild Planet by The B-52’s Was Released
On this day August 27 1980, Wild Planet by The B52s was released. As the follow up to their self titled debut, the album carried forward their wild offbeat sound while tightening the grooves and sharpening the production. It was vibrant, chaotic, and defiantly different.
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