Today in 80s history! What happened on April 1st in the 80s? Find out what happened today in 80s Movies, 80s Music, 80s TV Shows, and 80s Sports! Also find out about celebrity birthdays for the legends, icons and characters we grew up with in the 80s!
TODAY'S 80S BIRTHDAYS
Annette O'Toole (Actress, Superman III, 48 Hrs.) - 74
April 1, 1952
Mark White (Keyboardist, Vice Versa) - 65
April 1, 1961
Mark Jackson (Basketball Player) - 61
April 1, 1965
Extra Fun Facts: Annette O'Toole
Annette O'Toole had a strong 80s run with roles in 48 Hrs. (1982), Superman III (1983), and Cross My Heart (1987). She was one of those familiar 80s faces who kept showing up in memorable movies all decade long.
Remembering
Debbie Reynolds (Actress, Singin' in the Rain)
April 1, 1932 - December 28, 2016 (Age 84)
Phil Niekro (Baseball Player)
April 1, 1939 - December 26, 2020 (Age 81)
Marvin Gaye (Singer)
April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984 (Age 44)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on April 1st
Reckoning
Grateful Dead
Live Album
Release Date: April 1, 1981
Billboard 200: #43
Rock Steady with Flo & Eddie
Flo & Eddie
Studio Album
Release Date: April 1, 1981
Havana Moon
Carlos Santana
Solo Album
Release Date: April 1, 1983
Self Control
Laura Branigan
3rd Album
Release Date: April 1, 1984
Billboard 200: #23
Book of Love
Book of Love
Debut Album
Release Date: April 1, 1986
New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block
Debut Album
Release Date: April 1, 1986
Billboard 200: #25
Solitude Standing
Suzanne Vega
2nd Album
Release Date: April 1, 1987
Billboard 200: #11
In Other 80s Music News
1980 - Brian Johnson Becomes AC/DC's New Lead Singer
Event: Band Lineup Change
Details: Brian Johnson officially became the new lead singer of AC/DC following the death of Bon Scott.
1984 - David Lee Roth Leaves Van Halen
Event: Band Departure
Details: David Lee Roth left Van Halen to pursue a solo career, ending the band's original frontman era.
1989 - “Eternal Flame” Hits No. 1
Event: Billboard Hot 100 Milestone
Details: The Bangles' “Eternal Flame” became the No. 1 song in America on April 1, 1989.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On April 1st
The Baltimore Bullet (1980)
Release Date: April 1, 1980
Director: Robert Ellis Miller
Starring: James Coburn, Omar Sharif, Bruce Boxleitner and Ronee Blakley
Budget: N/A
Box Office: N/A
Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
Release Date: April 1, 1983
Director: Jonathan Kaplan
Starring: Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges
Budget: $7.5 Million
Box Office: $272,000
Screwballs (1983)
Release Date: April 1, 1983
Director: Rafal Zielinski
Starring: Peter Keleghan, Lynda Speciale and Linda Shayne
Budget: $800,000
Box Office: $2.1 Million
Bright Lights, Big City (1988)
Release Date: April 1, 1988
Director: James Bridges
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Kiefer Sutherland, Phoebe Cates, Dianne Wiest and Jason Robards
Budget: $25 Million
Box Office: $16.1 Million
The Seventh Sign (1988)
Release Date: April 1, 1988
Director: Carl Schultz
Starring: Demi Moore, Michael Biehn, Peter Friedman and Jürgen Prochnow
Budget: N/A
Box Office: $18.8 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
Baby Makes Five
Event: Series Premiere
Network: ABC
First Episode Date: April 1, 1983
Last Episode Date: April 29, 1983
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 5
Starring: Peter Scolari
Hit Man
Event: Series Finale
Network: NBC
Final Episode Date: April 1, 1983
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 65
Just Men!
Event: Series Finale
Network: NBC
Final Episode Date: April 1, 1983
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 65
Host: Betty White
Al TV
Event: Series Premiere
Network: MTV
First Episode Date: April 1, 1984
Episodes: 10
Starring: "Weird Al" Yankovic
Mariah
Event: Series Premiere
Network: ABC
First Episode Date: April 1, 1987
Last Episode Date: May 13, 1987
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 7
Roxie
Event: Series Premiere
Network: CBS
First Episode Date: April 1, 1987
Last Episode Date: April 8, 1987
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Note: Only 2 episodes aired. It was a spin-off of Kate & Allie.
Take Five
Event: Series Premiere
Network: CBS
First Episode Date: April 1, 1987
Last Episode Date: April 8, 1987
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Starring: George Segal
Note: Only 2 episodes aired.
Blackout
Event: Series Finale
Network: CBS
Final Episode Date: April 1, 1988
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 65
Saturday Night Live
Event: Mel Gibson Hosts
Network: NBC
Date: April 1, 1989
Musical Guest: Living Colour
She's the Sheriff
Event: Series Finale
Network: Syndication
Final Episode Date: April 1, 1989
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 44
Starring: Suzanne Somers
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1981 - Wayne Gretzky Breaks Single-Season Assist Record
Event: NHL Milestone
Details: Gretzky broke Bobby Orr's single-season assist record by recording his 103rd assist.
1984 - USC Wins the NCAA Women's Championship
Event: NCAA Women's Basketball Championship
Details: USC defeated Tennessee 72-61 to win the national title. Cheryl Miller was named Most Outstanding Player.
1984 - Fred Couples Wins The Players Championship
Event: PGA Tour Victory
Details: Fred Couples won by one stroke over Lee Trevino.
1985 - Villanova Wins the NCAA Championship
Event: NCAA Men's Basketball Championship
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Details: Villanova defeated Georgetown 66-64 in one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history. Ed Pinckney was named Most Outstanding Player.
1985 - The Sidd Finch Hoax Appears in Sports Illustrated
Event: Sports Media Hoax
Details: George Plimpton's famous April Fools' article introduced fictional Mets phenom Sidd Finch, one of the greatest sports hoaxes ever.
1989 - A. Bartlett Giamatti Becomes Baseball Commissioner
Event: MLB Leadership Change
Details: Bart Giamatti officially became the seventh Commissioner of Baseball, replacing Peter Ueberroth.
1989 - NCAA Final Four Begins in Seattle
Event: NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four
Location: Kingdome, Seattle, Washington
Details: Seton Hall beat Duke 95-78, and Michigan beat Illinois 83-81 to advance to the championship game.
