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.

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450 On This Day Articles

On This Day March 21 1981 – Keep on Loving You by REO Speedwagon Became the Number One Song in America

On this day March 21 1981 Keep on Loving You by REO Speedwagon hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 where it stayed for a week until March 27. The power ballad became one of the band’s biggest hits and helped propel their album

On This Day March 21 1981 – The Isley Brothers Released Their Album Grand Slam

On this day March 21 1981 the legendary R&B group The Isley Brothers released their 19th studio album Grand Slam. The album reached number 28 on the Billboard 200 and continued the group’s signature blend of funk soul and smooth ballads. Featuring tracks like Tryin’

On This Day March 20 1981 – The Postman Always Rings Twice Premiered in Theaters

On this day March 20 1981 the neo-noir thriller The Postman Always Rings Twice premiered in theaters. Directed by Bob Rafelson the film starred Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange in a steamy crime drama filled with passion betrayal and murder. Based on the classic 1934

On This Day March 20 1981 – Amy Premiered in Theaters

On this day March 20 1981 the family drama film Amy premiered in theaters. Directed by Vincent McEveety the film starred Jenny Agutter Barry Newman Kathleen Nolan and Chris Robinson in a heartfelt story about perseverance and compassion. Amy followed the journey of a woman

On This Day March 20 1981 – Omen III The Final Conflict Premiered in Theaters

On this day March 20 1981 Omen III The Final Conflict premiered in theaters marking the final chapter in the original Omen horror trilogy. Directed by Graham Baker the film starred Sam Neill as Damien Thorn now an influential businessman and politician who seeks to

On This Day March 18 1981 – The Greatest American Hero Premiered on ABC

On this day March 18 1981 the superhero comedy-drama The Greatest American Hero premiered on ABC. The show followed a mild-mannered teacher named Ralph Hinkley who receives a super-powered suit from aliens but loses the instruction manual leading to hilarious and unexpected challenges. The series

On This Day March 16 1981 – The Who Released Their Ninth Album Face Dances

On this day March 16 1981 The Who released their ninth studio album Face Dances. The album marked a new era for the band as it was their first without drummer Keith Moon who passed away in 1978. Former Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones stepped

On This Day March 16 1981 – The Final Episode of The White Shadow Aired

On this day March 16 1981 the groundbreaking sports drama The White Shadow aired its final episode on CBS after three seasons and 54 episodes. The show followed former Chicago Bulls player Ken Reeves played by Ken Howard who became the head coach of a

On This Day March 16 1981 – Breaker by Accept Was Released

On this day March 16 1981 German heavy metal band Accept released their third studio album Breaker. The album marked a turning point for the band as they refined their sound with heavier riffs faster tempos and more aggressive vocals from Udo Dirkschneider. Though not

On This Day March 14 1981 9 to 5 by – Dolly Parton Became the Number One Song in America for the Second Time

On this day March 14 1981 Dolly Parton’s hit song 9 to 5 reclaimed the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the second time after first topping the chart from February 21 to 27. The song became an anthem for working class

On This Day March 14 1981 – Eric Clapton Had to Cancel His US Tour Due to Bleeding Ulcers

On this day March 14 1981 Eric Clapton was forced to cancel his highly anticipated US tour after being hospitalized for bleeding ulcers. The health scare put the legendary guitarist on a temporary hiatus as he recovered from the serious condition. Clapton’s struggles with health

On This Day March 13 1981 – Never Too Late by Status Quo Was Released

On this day March 13 1981 Status Quo released their fourteenth studio album Never Too Late. The album continued the band’s signature boogie rock sound and was the last to feature longtime drummer John Coghlan before he left the group. Never Too Late was a

On This Day March 13 1981 – We’ll Bring Down the House by Slade Was Released

On this day March 13 1981 Slade released their ninth studio album We'll Bring Down the House. The album continued the band's hard rock sound while incorporating a more polished production style that aimed to recapture their earlier success. We'll Bring Down the House reached

On This Day March 13 1981 – Modern Romance Premiered in Theaters

On this day March 13 1981 the romantic comedy Modern Romance premiered in theaters. Directed by and starring Albert Brooks the film also featured Kathryn Harrold and Bruno Kirby in a satirical look at the ups and downs of a dysfunctional relationship. Modern Romance followed

On This Day March 13 1981 – Back Roads Premiered in Theaters

On this day March 13 1981 the romantic dramedy Back Roads premiered in theaters. Directed by Martin Ritt the film starred Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones as two unlikely companions forced to travel together from Alabama to California. The film followed a down-on-her-luck prostitute

On This Day March 13 1981 – The Funhouse Premiered in Theaters

On this day March 13 1981 the horror film The Funhouse premiered in theaters. Directed by Tobe Hooper the film starred Elizabeth Berridge Kevin Conway Largo Woodruff William Finley Cooper Huckabee Miles Chapin and Sylvia Miles. The story followed a group of teenagers who decide

On This Day March 13 1981 – The Howling Premiered in Theaters

On this day March 13 1981 the horror film The Howling premiered in theaters. Directed by Joe Dante the film starred Dee Wallace Patrick Macnee Dennis Dugan Christopher Stone and Belinda Balaski. The Howling became one of the most influential werewolf movies of all time

On This Day March 10 1981 – Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes Was Released

On this day March 10 1981 Kim Carnes released the song Bette Davis Eyes which went on to become one of the biggest hits of the decade. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive nine weeks from May 16 to June 19

On This Day March 9 1981 – Dan Rather Made His Debut as the Anchorman for the CBS Evening News

On this day March 9 1981 Dan Rather took over as the anchorman for the CBS Evening News replacing the legendary Walter Cronkite who had retired after nearly two decades in the role. Rather had already built a strong reputation as a tough and relentless

On This Day March 7 1981 – A Teen Was Stabbed and Killed at Disneyland’s Tomorrowland

On this day March 7 1981 an 18 year old teenager was fatally stabbed at Disneyland’s Tomorrowland after an altercation with a 28 year old man. The incident occurred after the teen reportedly pinched the man’s girlfriend leading to a violent confrontation that ended in

On This Day March 6 1981 – Maniac Premiered in Theaters All Over Los Angeles

On this day March 6 1981 the psychological horror film Maniac premiered in theaters in Los Angeles. Directed by William Lustig the film starred Joe Spinell as Frank Zito a deeply disturbed serial killer stalking the streets of New York City. Caroline Munro played a

On This Day March 6 1981 – On the Right Track Premiered in Theaters