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 8 1982 – Hex Enduction Hour by The Fall Was Released
On this day March 8 1982 The Fall released their fourth album Hex Enduction Hour. Known for their abrasive post-punk sound and Mark E. Smith’s distinctive vocal delivery the album became one of the band’s most influential works. With its raw production and surreal lyrics
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On This Day March 6 1982 – Chicago Story Premiered on NBC
On this day March 6 1982 the drama series Chicago Story premiered on NBC. The show attempted to blend multiple perspectives by following doctors lawyers and police officers as they navigated the challenges of life in Chicago. Featuring an ensemble cast and a mix of
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On This Day March 6 1982 – Beauty and the Beat by the Go-Gos Became the Number One Album in America
On this day March 6 1982 Beauty and the Beat by the Go-Gos reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart making history as the first album by an all-female band who wrote and performed their own songs to top the chart. Released in 1981
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On This Day March 5 1982 – Windows by Charlie Daniels Band Was Released
On this day March 5 1982 the Charlie Daniels Band released their twelfth album Windows. Blending country rock and Southern rock the album showcased the band's signature sound with a mix of storytelling ballads and energetic instrumentals. Windows reached number 26 on the Billboard charts
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On This Day March 4 1982 Police Squad Premiered on Television
On this day March 4 1982, Police Squad premiered on television, introducing audiences to a rapid fire comedy that spoofed classic crime dramas with deadpan humor and constant visual gags. The series followed the serious but hilariously oblivious detective Frank Drebin as he investigated cases
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On This Day March 4 1982 – Brilliance by Atlantic Starr Was Released
On this day March 4 1982 Atlantic Starr released their fourth studio album Brilliance. The album showcased the band’s signature blend of R&B soul and funk delivering smooth harmonies and polished production. Brilliance became one of Atlantic Starr’s most successful albums reaching number 18 on
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On This Day March 3 1982 – The Mamas and The Papas Began Their Reunion Tour
On this day March 3 1982 The Mamas and The Papas began their reunion tour bringing their signature harmonies back to the stage. The folk rock group originally rose to fame in the 1960s with timeless hits like California Dreamin and Monday Monday becoming one
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On This Day March 2 1982 – Diner Was Released in Theaters
On this day March 2 1982 the comedy drama Diner was released in theaters. Directed by Barry Levinson the film featured an ensemble cast including Steve Guttenberg Daniel Stern Mickey Rourke Kevin Bacon Timothy Daly and Ellen Barkin. The film was a coming of age
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On This Day March 1 1982 – The Final Episode of In Search of… Aired
On this day March 1 1982 the final episode of In Search of… aired, concluding its six-season run after 144 episodes. The show, which originally aired in syndication, became one of the most intriguing and influential documentary series of its time, exploring mysteries, paranormal phenomena,
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On This Day March 26 1982 – First Ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Held in Washington DC
On this day March 26 1982 the first ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was held in Washington DC. Though the memorial would not be officially dedicated until later that year this early ceremony marked a powerful moment of recognition for the more than 58000
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On This Day March 5 1982 – John Belushi Was Found Dead at Age 33
On this day March 5 1982, John Belushi, the beloved actor and comedian, was found dead at the age of 33 from a drug overdose. Belushi, known for his roles in iconic films like Animal House and The Blues Brothers, had a profound impact on
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On This Day March 5 1982 – I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 5 1982, I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can premiered in theaters. Directed by Jack Hofsiss, the film starred Jill Clayburgh, Nicol Williamson, Geraldine Page, Dianne Wiest, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern. The film followed a woman struggling with personal and
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On This Day March 1 1982 – The Comeback Trail Was Released
On this day March 1 1982 the comedy film The Comeback Trail was released. Directed by Harry Hurwitz, the movie starred Chuck McCann and Buster Crabbe, bringing a satirical take on the Hollywood film industry and the struggles of washed-up filmmakers. The film followed a
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On This Day March 31 1981 – Ordinary People Won Best Picture at the 53rd Annual Academy Awards
On this day March 31 1981 Ordinary People took home the Oscar for Best Picture at the 53rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. The ceremony was hosted by Johnny Carson and broadcast on ABC. Directed by Robert Redford
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On This Day March 31 1981 – Animal Magnetism by Scorpions Was Released
On this day March 31 1981 Scorpions released their seventh studio album Animal Magnetism. Known for their heavy riffs and melodic hooks the German rock band delivered a darker edgier sound that set the stage for their worldwide breakthrough in the years to come. The
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On This Day March 28 1981 – Rapture by Blondie Became the Number 1 Song in America
On this day March 28 1981 Rapture by Blondie hit number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 where it stayed through April 10. The track made history as the first song with rap lyrics to ever reach number 1 in America blending new wave
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On This Day March 27 1981 – Blizzard of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne Was Released
On this day March 27 1981, Blizzard of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne was released, marking his debut solo album and a major turning point in his career after leaving Black Sabbath. The album introduced a new era for Ozzy, built around powerful vocals, dark themes,
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On This Day March 27 1981 – Carl Wilson Released His Debut Solo Album
On this day March 27 1981 Carl Wilson released his self titled debut solo album. Known as a founding member and the lead guitarist of The Beach Boys Carl stepped into the spotlight with a collection of tracks that showcased his smooth vocals and laid
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On This Day March 27 1981 – Eyes of a Stranger Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 27 1981 the psychological slasher film Eyes of a Stranger premiered in theaters. Directed by Ken Wiederhorn the movie starred Lauren Tewes John DiSanti and introduced Jennifer Jason Leigh in her feature film debut. Set in Miami the story followed a
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On This Day March 27 1981 – Thief Premiered in Theaters
On this day March 27 1981 Thief premiered in theaters. Directed by Michael Mann in his feature film debut the gritty crime drama starred James Caan as a skilled professional safecracker trying to leave his criminal past behind and build a better life. The cast
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On This Day March 26 1981 – The Dude by Quincy Jones Was Released
On this day March 26 1981 Quincy Jones released his landmark album The Dude. Packed with smooth production slick arrangements and an all star lineup of vocal talent the album showcased Quincy’s unmatched ability to blend jazz funk pop and R&B into something entirely his
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On This Day March 26 1981 – Fancy Free by The Oak Ridge Boys Was Released
On this day March 26 1981 The Oak Ridge Boys released their forty-first album Fancy Free. Known for blending gospel roots with country harmonies the group reached a new level of mainstream success with this release. Fancy Free peaked at number 14 on the US
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On This Day March 24 1981 – Nightline with Ted Koppel Premiered on ABC
On this day March 24 1981 Nightline with Ted Koppel premiered on ABC. Originally developed from ABC’s coverage of the Iran hostage crisis the program quickly evolved into one of the most respected late-night news shows in American television. Anchored by Ted Koppel Nightline offered
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On This Day March 23 1981 – US Supreme Court Upheld Law on Statutory Rape
On this day March 23 1981 the US Supreme Court upheld a California law that made statutory rape a crime only a man could commit. The ruling in Michael M. v. Superior Court of Sonoma County reinforced the idea that men bore sole legal responsibility
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