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.
152 On This Day Articles
On This Day July 23 1982 – Emotions in Motion by Billy Squier Was Released
On this day July 23 1982, Emotions in Motion was released, marking the third studio album by Billy Squier and a crucial follow up to his breakthrough album Don’t Say No. With a mix of hard rock, pop hooks, and glam influenced grooves, the album
Read More
On This Day July 20, 1982 – The Hyde Park and Regent Park Bombings Occurred in London
On this day July 20, 1982, two deadly bombings carried out by the Irish Republican Army shook central London. The attacks took place in Hyde Park and Regent Park and targeted British military personnel during ceremonial duties. The first bomb exploded in Hyde Park as
Read More
On This Day July 19, 1982 – Donna Summer Released Her Self Titled Tenth Album
On this day July 19, 1982, Donna Summer released her self titled tenth studio album, marking a bold transition in sound and image for the former Queen of Disco. Coming off the massive success of her 1970s dance hits, this 1982 release saw her move
Read More
On This Day July 31 1981 – Under the Rainbow Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 31 1981, Under the Rainbow premiered in theaters and brought with it a strange blend of slapstick comedy, historical references, and Hollywood legend. Set in 1939 Los Angeles, the film followed the chaotic events at a hotel filled with actors playing
Read More
On This Day July 29 1981 – The Time Released Their Debut Album The Time
On this day July 29 1981, The Time released their self titled debut album and introduced the world to a new funk powerhouse crafted under the guidance of Prince. Though fronted by the charismatic Morris Day, much of the music was performed and produced by
Read More
On This Day July 29 1981 – The Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer Took Place at St Paul’s Cathedral in London
On this day July 29 1981, the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer was held at St Paul's Cathedral in London and watched by over 750 million viewers around the world. The event was hailed as the wedding of the century, with royal
Read More
On This Day July 27 1981 – Stevie Nicks Released Her Debut Solo Album Bella Donna
On this day July 27 1981, Bella Donna by Stevie Nicks marked her bold debut as a solo artist following her success with Fleetwood Mac. The album blends rock, pop, and her signature mystical lyrics delivering standout tracks like Edge of Seventeen, Leather and Lace
Read More
On This Day July 27 1981 – Debbie Harry Released Her Debut Solo Album KooKoo
On this day July 27 1981, KooKoo by Debbie Harry was released marking her first project as a solo artist after her success with Blondie. The album fused elements of dance rock funk and new wave into a bold new sound that stood apart from
Read More
On This Day July 25 1981 – The One That You Love by Air Supply Became the Number One Song in America
On this day July 25 1981, The One That You Love by Air Supply climbed to the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100. It became the soft rock duo’s first chart topping single in the United States and marked the peak of
Read More
On This Day July 24 1981 – Blow Out Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 24 1981, Blow Out premiered in theaters. Directed by Brian De Palma, the political thriller starred John Travolta and Nancy Allen and delivered one of the most stylish and gripping suspense films of the early 80s. Travolta played a sound technician
Read More
On This Day July 24 1981 – Wolfen Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 24 1981, Wolfen premiered in theaters. Directed by Michael Wadleigh, the film offered a unique blend of crime thriller and supernatural horror that stood out from the typical werewolf fare of the era. Starring Albert Finney, Wolfen followed a New York
Read More
On This Day July 21 1981 – Final Episode of Flo Aired on CBS
On this day July 21 1981, the final episode of Flo aired on CBS, bringing an end to the short-lived but memorable spinoff of the hit series Alice. The show followed Florence Jean Castleberry, better known as Flo, after she left Mel’s Diner to return
Read More
On This Day July 21 1981 – Bryan Adams Released His Second Album You Want It You Got It
On this day July 21 1981, Bryan Adams released his second studio album, You Want It You Got It . Building on the promise of his debut, this release showcased Adams refining his style with more focused songwriting and a tighter rock sound. It was
Read More
On This Day July 20, 1981 – Pleasant Dreams by The Ramones Was Released
On this day July 20, 1981, Pleasant Dreams by The Ramones was released, marking the sixth studio album from one of punk rock’s most influential bands. Known for their raw sound and no nonsense attitude, The Ramones took a slightly more polished approach on this
Read More
On This Day July 29 1980 – Hall & Oates Released Their Ninth Album Voices
On this day July 29 1980, Voices by Hall & Oates was released marking the duo’s breakthrough into mainstream pop with a refined blend of blue eyed soul, catchy melodies, and tight vocal harmonies. The album features standout tracks such as You Make My Dreams,
Read More
On This Day July 28 1980 – Zapp Released Their Debut Album Zapp
On this day July 28 1980, Zapp by Zapp was released introducing the world to the band’s pioneering funk electro style. The debut album features robotic talk box vocals, groove heavy basslines, and dance driven rhythms most notably on tracks like More Bounce To The
Read More
On This Day July 25 1980 – Caddyshack Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 25 1980, Caddyshack premiered in theaters and became one of the most iconic comedies of the 1980s. Directed by Harold Ramis, the film featured a legendary cast including Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, and Ted Knight in a wild blend
Read More
On This Day July 25 1980 – The Final Episode of The Rockford Files Aired
On this day July 25 1980, the final episode of The Rockford Files aired, bringing to a close one of television’s most respected and enduring detective series. Starring James Garner as private investigator Jim Rockford, the show originally premiered in 1974 and ran for six
Read More
On This Day July 25 1980 – AC/DC Released Their 7th Album Back in Black
On this day July 25 1980, AC/ DC released their seventh studio album Back in Black , a powerful comeback that would go on to become one of the most successful albums in music history. The record marked the debut of new lead singer Brian
Read More
On This Day July 25 1980 – Dressed to Kill Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 25 1980, Dressed to Kill premiered in theaters. Directed by Brian De Palma, this provocative psychological thriller blended mystery, suspense, and stylized violence in a way that sparked both critical acclaim and controversy. The film starred Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson, and
Read More
On This Day July 25 1980 – TP by Teddy Pendergrass Was Released
On this day July 25 1980, TP was released. This was Teddy Pendergrass’s fourth solo album and one of his most successful efforts. TP showcased his smooth, powerful vocals and sensual delivery across a collection of romantic ballads and slow jams that helped cement his
Read More
On This Day July 24 1980 – The Earthling Premiered in Theaters
On this day July 24 1980, The Earthling premiered in theaters. Directed by Peter Collinson, the film starred William Holden and young Ricky Schroder in a quiet but deeply emotional survival drama set against the backdrop of the Australian wilderness. The story follows Patrick Foley,
Read More
On This Day July 21 1980 – Chicago Released Their Album Chicago XIV
On this day July 21 1980, Chicago released their twelfth studio album, Chicago XIV . Known for blending rock with horns and jazz elements throughout the 1970s, the band took a more stripped down and contemporary rock approach on this record. It marked a transition
Read More
On This Day July 21 1980 – Hawkwind Released Their Live Album Live Seventy Nine
On this day July 21 1980, Hawkwind released their live album Live Seventy Nine, capturing the band’s raw and spacey energy during a transitional era. Recorded during their 1979 UK tour, the album offered fans a powerful document of their live sound as they shifted
Read More