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 August 1 1988 – Bruce Springsteen Released His Album Chimes Of Freedom
On this day August 1 1988, Chimes of Freedom by Bruce Springsteen was released as a live EP capturing highlights from his 1988 Tunnel of Love Express Tour. The release offered fans a powerful glimpse of Springsteen’s passionate stage presence and political convictions during a
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On This Day August 1 1988 – Gregory Isaacs Released His Album Red Rose For Gregory
On this day August 1 1988, Red Rose for Gregory was released, marking the twenty fourth studio album by reggae legend Gregory Isaacs. Known for his silky vocals and smooth lovers rock style, Isaacs delivered one of his most celebrated late 80s releases with this
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On This Day July 30 1988 – Roll With It by Steve Winwood Became the Number One Song in America
On this day July 30 1988, Roll With It by Steve Winwood reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and kicked off a four week run at the top through August 26. The song marked a major commercial high point for Winwood, blending his
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On This Day July 29 1988 – Cocktail Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 29 1988, Cocktail premiered in theaters and gave audiences a glossy, high energy look into the world of bartending and nightlife. Tom Cruise starred as Brian Flanagan, a sharp talking New Yorker who takes a job slinging drinks while chasing business
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On This Day July 29 1988 – Monkey Shines Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 29 1988, Monkey Shines premiered in theaters delivering a tense and unsettling psychological thriller with a sci fi twist. Directed by George A Romero, the film tells the story of Allan Mann, a gifted athlete who becomes quadriplegic after a tragic
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On This Day July 29 1988 – The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 29 1988, The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking premiered in theaters bringing the iconic red haired heroine to a new generation. Based on the beloved stories by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, this family fantasy film reintroduced Pippi as the imaginative, fiercely
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On This Day July 26 1988 – Follow the Leader by Eric B. & Rakim Was Released
On this day July 26 1988, Follow the Leader by Eric B. & Rakim was released, becoming one of the most influential hip hop albums ever recorded. Building on the success of their debut album Paid in Full, the duo returned with a record that
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On This Day July 26 1988 – A Salt With A Deadly Pepa By Salt N Pepa Was Released
On this day July 26 1988, A Salt With A Deadly Pepa by Salt N Pepa was released, marking the group’s second studio album and a key moment in the rise of women in hip hop. The album expanded on their bold, confident style with
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On This Day July 25 1988 – View from the House by Kim Carnes Was Released
On this day July 25 1988, View from the House was released, marking the eleventh studio album by Kim Carnes. Known for her raspy vocals and 1981 smash hit Bette Davis Eyes, Carnes took a different direction with this release, shifting from pop toward a
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On This Day July 24 1988 – The Final Episode of Tales From the Darkside Aired
On this day July 24 1988, the final episode of Tales From the Darkside aired, closing out a four season run of one of the most eerie and creative anthology series of the decade. Created by George A Romero, the show premiered in 1984 and
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On This Day July 23 1988 – The Final Episode of Solid Gold Aired
On this day July 23 1988, the final episode of Solid Gold aired, closing the curtain on one of the most iconic music television series of the 1980s. Premiering in 1980, the show was known for its weekly countdown of the top hits in America,
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On This Day July 23 1988 – Hold On to the Nights by Richard Marx Hit Number 1 in the US
On this day July 23 1988, Hold On to the Nights by Richard Marx reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving him his first chart topping single. The emotional ballad struck a chord with audiences during the summer of 88, capping off
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On This Day July 23 1988 – Now That’s What I Call Music 3 Was Released in the UK
On this day July 23 1988, Now That's What I Call Music 3 was released in the UK, continuing the hugely popular compilation series that had taken the country by storm. With a curated mix of chart topping hits from the spring and summer of
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On This Day July 22 1988 – Caddyshack II Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 22 1988, Caddyshack II premiered in theaters as the sequel to one of the most beloved comedies of the early 1980s. Directed by Allan Arkush, the film attempted to recapture the outrageous spirit of the original, but this time with a
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On This Day July 22 1988 – Big Top Pee Wee Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 22 1988, Big Top Pee Wee premiered in theaters as the follow up to the beloved cult hit Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Directed by Randal Kleiser, the film once again starred Paul Reubens as Pee Wee Herman, this time trading his
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On This Day July 22 1988 – Mr. North Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 22 1988, Mr. North premiered in theaters, offering a gentle and charming story set in 1920s Newport, Rhode Island. Directed by Danny Huston and based on the novel by Thornton Wilder, the film starred Anthony Edwards as Theophilus North, a curious
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On This Day July 20, 1988 – Midnight Run Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 20, 1988, Midnight Run premiered in theaters and delivered one of the most entertaining action comedies of the late 80s. Directed by Martin Brest, the film starred Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin in a perfect odd couple pairing that blended
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On This Day April 5 1988 – The Robert Guillaume Show Premiered on ABC
On this day April 5, 1988, The Robert Guillaume Show premiered on ABC, featuring the talented Robert Guillaume in a lead role that aimed to break new ground in network television. The sitcom followed Edward Sawyer, a single father and political speechwriter who begins a
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On This Day April 5 1988 – Tracy Chapman Released Her Debut Album
On this day April 5, 1988, Tracy Chapman released her self titled debut album and instantly made music history. With her soulful voice, raw lyrics, and stripped down acoustic sound, Chapman brought something fresh and powerful to the late 80s music scene. The album tackled
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On This Day April 5 1988 – Conscious Party by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers Was Released
On this day April 5, 1988, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers released their fourth studio album Conscious Party, a breakthrough moment that brought the group international recognition. Blending reggae with pop, funk, and a bit of rock influence, the album marked a major step
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On This Day April 5 1988 – Cheap Trick Released The Flame
On this day April 5, 1988, Cheap Trick released The Flame, a power ballad that would go on to become the biggest hit of their career. Known for their energetic rock sound in the late 70s and early 80s, the band took a softer turn
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On This Day April 4 1988 – Arizona Governor Evan Mecham Was Impeached and Removed from Office
On this day April 4 1988 Arizona Governor Evan Mecham was impeached and removed from office making him the first governor in the state’s history to be ousted through impeachment. The Arizona State Senate convicted Mecham on charges of obstruction of justice and misuse of
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On This Day April 1 1988 – Bright Lights Big City Premiered in Theaters
On this day April 1 1988 Bright Lights Big City premiered in theaters. Directed by James Bridges the film starred Michael J Fox in a rare dramatic role as a young New Yorker spiraling into a world of nightlife and addiction while trying to keep
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On This Day April 1 1988 – The Seventh Sign Premiered in Theaters
On this day April 1 1988 the apocalyptic thriller The Seventh Sign premiered in theaters. Directed by Carl Schultz the film starred Demi Moore as a pregnant woman who uncovers a terrifying connection between her unborn child and a series of mysterious global disasters. Also
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