Today in 80s history! What happened on April 17th 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
Jan Hammer (Composer, Miami Vice Theme) - 78
April 17, 1948
Michael Sembello (Singer, "Maniac") - 72
April 17, 1954
Sean Bean (Actor) - 67
April 17, 1959
Boomer Esiason (Football) - 65
April 17, 1961
Lela Rochon (Actress, Harlem Nights) - 62
April 17, 1964
REMEMBERING
Olivia Hussey (Actress)
April 17, 1951 - December 27, 2024 (Age 73)
Roddy Piper (Wrestler, Actor)
April 17, 1954 - July 31, 2015 (Age 61)
Pete Shelley (Singer, Buzzcocks)
April 17, 1955 - December 6, 2018 (Age 63)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on April 17th
Iron Fist
Motörhead
5th Album
Release Date: April 17, 1982
UK Albums: #6
Doolittle
Pixies
2nd Album
Release Date: April 17, 1989
Note: Released in the UK on this date, with the U.S. release following the next day.
Headless Cross
Black Sabbath
14th Album
Release Date: April 17, 1989
In Other 80s Music News
1982 - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Hold No. 1 with "I Love Rock 'n Roll"
Event: Billboard Hot 100 Milestone
Details: "I Love Rock 'n Roll" was the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 dated April 17, 1982.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On April 17th
Caveman (1981)
Release Date: April 17, 1981
Director: Carl Gottlieb
Starring: Ringo Starr, Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long, Jack Gilford and Barbara Bach
Budget: $6.5 Million
Box Office: $16 Million
Project X (1987)
Release Date: April 17, 1987
Director: Jonathan Kaplan
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Helen Hunt, William Sadler and Johnny Ray McGhee
Budget: $18 Million
Box Office: $21 Million
Walk Like a Man (1987)
Release Date: April 17, 1987
Director: Melvin Frank
Starring: Howie Mandel, Christopher Lloyd, Amy Steel and Cloris Leachman
Box Office: $460,608
TODAY IN 80S TV
Saturday Night Live
Event: Johnny Cash Hosts
Network: NBC
Date: April 17, 1982
Musical Guest: Elton John
The Lawrence Welk Show
Event: Final Original Broadcast
Network: First-run syndication
Final Episode Date: April 17, 1982
The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
Event: Lifetime Run Premiere
Network: Lifetime
First Episode Date: April 17, 1989
Note: The series had previously aired on NBC before moving to Lifetime.
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1983 - Nolan Ryan Records His 3,500th Strikeout
Event: MLB Milestone
Team: Houston Astros
Opponent: Montreal Expos
Details: Ryan struck out Andre Dawson for No. 3,500.
