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.
262 On This Day Articles
On This Day February 13 1982 – Baal EP by David Bowie
On this day, February 13, 1982, David Bowie released Baal, a five track EP recorded for his role in the BBC television adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s play Baal. The EP showcased Bowie’s ability to step beyond rock and pop, embracing the theatrical and cabaret style
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On This Day February 12, 1982 – One From the Heart
On this day, February 12, 1982, One From the Heart was released in theaters. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this visually striking romantic musical drama starred Frederic Forrest, Teri Garr, Raul Julia, Nastassja Kinski, Lainie Kazan, and Harry Dean Stanton. Known for its elaborate set
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On This Day February 6 1982 – Centerfold by the J. Geils Band Became the Number One Song in America
On this day February 6 1982, Centerfold by the J. Geils Band became the number one song in America, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and marking the band’s biggest commercial success. Driven by a pulsing synth line, tight rhythm, and an instantly
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On This Day February 5 1982 – Butterfly Premiered in Theaters
On this day February 5 1982, Butterfly premiered in theaters, arriving as part of the early 1980s wave of dramatic films that focused heavily on character, emotion, and personal struggle. The film explored mature themes through an intimate and grounded approach, reflecting a period when
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On This Day February 5 1982 – Night Crossing Premiered in Theaters
On this day February 5 1982, Night Crossing premiered in theaters, bringing a tense historical drama to early 1980s audiences. The film told a suspense driven story rooted in real world events, focusing on courage, family, and the risks taken in pursuit of freedom during
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On This Day February 5 1982 – Personal Best Premiered in Theaters
On this day February 5 1982, Personal Best premiered in theaters, offering a character driven sports drama that stood apart from typical athletic films of the era. Centered on competition, ambition, and personal identity, the film focused as much on emotional development as it did
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On This Day February 4 1982 – Porcupine by Echo & The Bunnymen Was Released
On this day February 4 1982, Porcupine by Echo & The Bunnymen was released, marking an important step forward in the evolution of early 1980s alternative and post punk music. The album expanded the band’s sound, blending moody atmospheres with sharper songwriting and a more
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On This Day February 4 1982 – Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks Was Released
On this day February 4 1982, Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks was released as a single, becoming one of the most recognizable and enduring songs of the early 1980s. Built around a driving rhythm, layered production, and Nicks’ unmistakable vocal delivery, the song stood
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On This Day February 3 1982 – Jermaine Jackson Appeared on The Facts of Life
On this day February 3 1982, Jermaine Jackson appeared on The Facts of Life in the episode Starstruck. In the storyline, Tootie is the president of Jermaine Jackson’s fan club and tearfully begs Mrs. Garrett to take her to his concert, capturing the intensity of
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On This Day February 3 1982 – Ms. Pac Man Arcade Game Was Released in America
On this day February 3 1982, the Ms. Pac Man arcade game was released in America, quickly becoming a landmark title in video game history. Building on the success of Pac Man, the game introduced improved maze design smarter enemy behavior and smoother gameplay that
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On This Day February 1 1982 – Late Night With David Letterman Premiered on NBC
On this day February 1 1982, Late Night With David Letterman premiered on NBC, introducing a sharp unconventional approach to late night television. The show broke away from traditional talk show formats with offbeat humor unexpected segments and a self aware style that often played
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On This Day February 26 1982 – Evilspeak Was Released in the US
On this day February 26 1982 the horror film Evilspeak was released in the US bringing a unique mix of satanic horror and early computer technology to the big screen. Directed by Eric Weston the film starred Clint Howard in one of his most memorable
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On This Day February 26 1982 – Set by The Thompson Twins Was Released
On this day February 26 1982 The Thompson Twins released their second studio album Set . The album marked an important transition for the band as they began refining their sound, blending elements of new wave, synth-pop, and post-punk. While it didn’t make a major
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On This Day February 28 1981 – I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt Became the Number One Song in America
On this day February 28 1981 I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, staying at the top from February 28 to March 13. The song became one of the biggest crossover hits of the early 80s,
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On This Day February 27 1981 – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder Started Recording Ebony and Ivory
On this day February 27 1981 Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder started recording the song Ebony and Ivory a duet that became one of the biggest hits of 1982. The song was later released as a single on March 29 1982 as part of McCartney’s
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On This Day February 24 1981 – Fallen Angel Aired on CBS
On this day February 24 1981 the made for TV movie Fallen Angel aired on CBS. The drama tackled the difficult and controversial subject of child exploitation and was one of the earliest television films to bring awareness to the dangers of child predators. The
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On This Day February 24, 1981 – Working Class Dog by Rick Springfield
On this day, February 24, 1981, Rick Springfield released Working Class Dog , his breakthrough fourth studio album. Fueled by catchy hooks and power pop energy, the album became a massive success, reaching #7 on the Billboard charts and launching Springfield into rock stardom. The
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On This Day February 21 1981 – 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton Became the Number 1 Song in America
On February 21, 1981, Dolly Parton’s smash hit 9 to 5 reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed until February 27. The song also climbed to #1 in Canada, marking one of Parton’s biggest crossover successes. Originally written for the 1980 comedy
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On This Day February 21 1981 – Charles Rocket Was Fired From Saturday Night Live for Saying the F-Word Live
On February 21, 1981, Charles Rocket became infamous in Saturday Night Live history when he dropped the F bomb live on air, leading to his firing from the show. The incident occurred during the closing moments of an episode hosted by Dallas star Charlene Tilton.
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On This Day February 21 1981 – Eddie Murphy Premiered Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood on Saturday Night Live
On February 21, 1981, Eddie Murphy introduced one of his most famous Saturday Night Live characters, Mister Robinson, with the debut of Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood a hilarious parody of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The sketch put a gritty, urban twist on the wholesome children’s program, featuring
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On This Day February 20 1981 – Andy Kaufman Started a Brawl During an Episode of Friday Night’s Sketch on ABC
On February 20, 1981, Andy Kaufman stirred up chaos during a live episode of Friday Night’s Sketch on ABC. Known for his unpredictable antics, Kaufman was performing a sketch when a behind the scenes mishap escalated into a full blown on air brawl. During the
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On This Day February 17, 1981 – To Love Again by Diana Ross Released
On this day, February 17, 1981, Diana Ross released To Love Again, a compilation album featuring reworked versions of some of her most romantic ballads. The album reached #32 on the Billboard charts and showcased Ross’s signature smooth vocals and emotive delivery. Compiled primarily from
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On This Day February 17 1981 – Being With You by Smokey Robinson Released
On this day, February 17, 1981, Smokey Robinson released his 11th solo album, Being With You . The album became one of Robinson’s biggest solo successes, reaching #2 on the Billboard charts and hitting #1 on the R&B chart, proving that his smooth vocals and
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On This Day February 13, 1981 – Louisville Sewer Explosions
On this day, February 13, 1981, a series of massive sewer explosions rocked Louisville, Kentucky, destroying more than 13 miles of streets in one of the most devastating underground disasters in U.S. history. The explosions were triggered by the ignition of hexane vapors that had
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