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.
631 On This Day Articles
On This Day September 24, 1980 – Utopia Released Deface the Music
On this day September 24, 1980 Utopia released their fifth studio album, Deface the Music . Known for their experimental style, the band took a creative turn with this record by crafting songs that closely resembled the sound and style of The Beatles. The album
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On This Day September 23, 1980 – Barbra Streisand Released Guilty
On this day September 23, 1980 Barbra Streisand released her twenty second studio album, Guilty . Produced in collaboration with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, the album became one of Streisand’s most successful releases, blending her powerful vocals with Gibb’s distinctive songwriting and production
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On This Day September 23, 1980 – Bob Marley Performed His Last Concert Before Passing Away at Age 36
On this day September 23, 1980 Bob Marley performed what would become his final concert. Taking place at the Stanley Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the performance came just months before his passing from skin cancer at the age of 36. Marley, already an international icon,
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On This Day September 23, 1980 – Kenny Rogers Released Greatest Hits
On this day September 23, 1980 Kenny Rogers released his compilation album Greatest Hits. The collection brought together some of his most iconic songs up to that point, offering fans a definitive set that highlighted his remarkable run of success during the late 70s and
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On This Day September 22, 1980 – Iraq Invaded Iran
On this day September 22, 1980 Iraq launched a full-scale invasion of Iran, beginning what became known as the Iran-Iraq War. This brutal conflict, which lasted for nearly eight years, was one of the longest conventional wars of the 20th century and caused massive devastation
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On This Day September 12 1980 – Blizzard of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne Released
On this day September 12 1980, Blizzard of Ozz was released, marking the debut solo album by Ozzy Osbourne after leaving Black Sabbath. The record featured iconic tracks such as Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley, which quickly became staples of Osbourne’s career and hard rock
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On This Day September 19 1980 – White Spirit Album by White Spirit Released
On this day September 19 1980, White Spirit released their self titled debut album White Spirit . As part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement, the record showcased the band’s blend of hard rock and early metal, with soaring vocals and driving
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On This Day September 19 1980 – Melvin and Howard Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 19 1980, Melvin and Howard premiered in theaters. Directed by Jonathan Demme, the film told the quirky story of Melvin Dummar, a down on his luck man who claimed to have given eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes a ride before being named
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On This Day September 17 1980 – Oingo Boingo EP Released
On this day September 17 1980, Oingo Boingo released their self titled debut EP. The record introduced the band’s energetic fusion of new wave, ska, and rock, setting the stage for their rise in the 1980s alternative music scene. Featuring tracks like Only a Lad
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On This Day September 13 1980 – The Lone Ranger Animation Premiered on ABC
On this day September 13 1980, The Lone Ranger premiered on ABC in an updated animated version of the classic American hero. The series followed the adventures of the masked lawman and his trusted companion Tonto as they fought injustice and defended the innocent in
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On This Day September 13 1980 – Solid Gold Made Its Debut
On this day September 13 1980, the music television series Solid Gold made its debut. The show became a staple of the 1980s, known for its countdown of the week’s top songs, flashy production, and the famous Solid Gold Dancers whose choreographed routines brought pop
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On This Day September 12 1980 – He Knows Youre Alone Premiered in Theaters
On this day September 12 1980, He Knows Youre Alone premiered in theaters. This slasher film followed the story of a bride to be who becomes the target of a relentless killer stalking women on the eve of their weddings. Set against the backdrop of
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On This Day September 12 1980 – Empires and Dance by Simple Minds Third Album Released
On this day September 12 1980, Simple Minds released their third studio album Empires and Dance . The record showcased the band’s growing experimentation with electronic textures, pulsing basslines, and atmospheric production, placing them firmly within the emerging post punk and new wave movements of
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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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