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.
389 On This Day Articles
On This Day August 7 1987 – Back To The Beach Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 7 1987, Back to the Beach premiered in theaters, reuniting 1960s beach party icons Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello in a colorful, tongue in cheek tribute to their earlier film legacy. Packed with self parody, surf culture nostalgia, and musical numbers,
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On This Day August 7 1987 – Masters Of The Universe Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 7 1987, Masters of the Universe premiered in theaters, bringing He Man and his battle against Skeletor to the big screen in a live action adaptation of the popular toy line and animated series. Starring Dolph Lundgren as He Man and
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On This Day August 7 1987 – Nadine Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 7 1987, Nadine premiered in theaters, reuniting Kim Basinger and Jeff Bridges in a light crime comedy set in 1950s Texas. Directed by Robert Benton, the film delivered a mix of romance, suspense, and small town scheming as a separated couple
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On This Day August 7 1987 – The Care Bears Adventure In Wonderland Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 7 1987, The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland premiered in theaters, marking the third and final theatrical film in the original Care Bears movie trilogy. Produced by Nelvana and distributed by Cineplex Odeon Films, this animated feature combined the beloved Care
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On This Day August 5 1987 – Stakeout Premiered In Theaters
On this day August 5 1987, Stakeout premiered in theaters, blending action, suspense, and comedy into one of the surprise hits of the summer. Directed by John Badham, the film starred Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez as two Seattle detectives assigned to monitor the ex
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On This Day August 4, 1987 – Dirty Dancing Soundtrack Was Released
On this day August 4, 1987, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack was released and quickly became one of the most iconic albums of the decade. Featuring a mix of nostalgic 1960s classics and brand new 80s hits, the soundtrack captured the emotion and energy of the
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On This Day August 3 1987 – Def Leppard Released Their Fourth Album Hysteria
On this day August 3 1987, Hysteria by Def Leppard was released, becoming one of the most successful rock albums of the decade and a defining moment in 1980s music. As the band’s fourth studio album, Hysteria represented a creative and technical milestone, blending hard
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On This Day August 2 1987 – Diesel And Dust By Midnight Oil Was Released
On this day August 2 1987, Diesel and Dust by Midnight Oil was released, marking the band's sixth studio album and their breakthrough on the international stage. Known for its driving rock sound and urgent message, the album brought attention to the struggles of Indigenous
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On This Day August 1 1987 – Shakedown by Bob Seger Became the Number One Song in America
On this day August 1 1987, Shakedown by Bob Seger became the number one song in America, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and marking the first and only chart-topping single of his career. The high-energy track was featured on the soundtrack for Beverly Hills Cop
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On This Day August 1 1987 – Dave Stewart And Siobhan Fahey Got Married In France
On this day August 1 1987, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics married Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama in a private ceremony in France. The union brought together two of the most recognizable figures in 1980s British pop music, each having helped shape the sound and image of
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On This Day August 31 1987 – Wonderful Life Released
On this day August 31 1987, Black released his debut album Wonderful Life. The album delivered a hauntingly beautiful mix of melancholic lyrics and elegant production, anchored by the timeless title track that became a defining anthem for reflective pop in the late 80s. Wonderful
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On This Day August 31 1987 – Darklands Released
On this day August 31 1987, The Jesus and Mary Chain released their second album Darklands . Stepping away from the feedback drenched chaos of their debut, the band embraced a more melodic and introspective sound. The tracks were built around brooding vocals, drum machines,
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On This Day August 31 1987 – Document Released
On this day August 31 1987, R.E.M. released their fifth studio album, Document . This was the album that marked a turning point for the band, transitioning them from underground college radio favorites to mainstream rock figures. Document featured a tighter, more urgent sound compared
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On This Day August 31 1987 – Michael Jackson Released His Seventh Album Bad
On this day August 31 1987, Michael Jackson released his seventh studio album Bad , the long-awaited follow-up to Thriller. The album marked a shift in Jackson’s sound, image, and creative direction. Packed with chart-topping singles like Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Man
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On This Day August 31 1987 – Michael Jackson The Magic Returns Aired on CBS
On this day August 31 1987, CBS aired Michael Jackson The Magic Returns , a prime time television special built around the premiere of the short film for his song Bad. Directed by Martin Scorsese and clocking in at 18 minutes, the film was a
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On This Day August 30 1987 – Crossbow Premiered on The Family Channel
On this day August 30 1987, Crossbow premiered on The Family Channel. Based on the legend of William Tell, the historical action series followed the Swiss folk hero as he fought for freedom against the oppressive forces of the Austrian empire. Starring Will Lyman as
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On This Day August 29 1987 – Sentimental Hygiene by Warren Zevon Was Released
On this day August 29 1987, Sentimental Hygiene by Warren Zevon was released. Marking his sixth studio album and first release after a five year hiatus, the record signaled a powerful comeback both musically and personally. It was Zevon’s first album recorded after getting sober
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On This Day August 29 1987 – La Bamba by Los Lobos Hit Number One in the US
On this day August 29 1987, La Bamba by Los Lobos reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The energetic Spanish language rock track became a surprise summer hit and introduced a new generation to the music of Ritchie Valens, whose life was portrayed
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On This Day August 28 1987 – Matewan Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 28 1987, Matewan premiered in theaters. Directed by John Sayles, the film told the powerful story of a 1920 labor uprising in the West Virginia coal fields. It focused on the arrival of union organizer Joe Kenehan in the small town
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On This Day August 28 1987 – House II The Second Story Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 28 1987, House II The Second Story premiered in theaters. The sequel moved away from the horror elements of the first film and embraced a more comedic and fantasy driven tone. What audiences got was a surreal adventure that mixed haunted
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On This Day August 28 1987 – Hamburger Hill Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 28 1987, Hamburger Hill premiered in theaters. The Vietnam War drama focused on the brutal 1969 battle for Hill 937, a steep and muddy terrain in the A Shau Valley that American soldiers nicknamed Hamburger Hill due to the relentless carnage.
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On This Day August 28 1987 – The Fourth Protocol Premiered in Theaters
On this day August 28 1987, The Fourth Protocol premiered in theaters. Based on the novel by Frederick Forsyth, the Cold War thriller starred Michael Caine as a British intelligence officer trying to stop a Soviet plot to smuggle a nuclear weapon into the United
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On This Day August 27 1987 – Open Sesame by Whodini Was Released
On this day August 27 1987, Open Sesame by Whodini was released. As their fourth studio album, it arrived at a time when hip hop was rapidly evolving and new sounds were taking over the scene. Whodini leaned into a harder funk influenced style, blending
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On This Day August 25 1987 – Permanent Vacation by Aerosmith Was Released
On this day August 25 1987, Permanent Vacation by Aerosmith was released. This was the band's ninth studio album and the record that marked their full scale comeback after years of personal and professional turmoil. It reintroduced Aerosmith to a new generation and firmly planted
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