Today in 80s history! What happened on April 5th 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!
Happy Easter!
TODAY'S 80S BIRTHDAYS
Max Gail (Actor, Barney Miller) - 83
April 5, 1943
Les Binks (Drummer, Judas Priest) - 75
April 5, 1951
Diamond Dallas Page (Wrestler) - 70
April 5, 1956
Christopher Reid (Rapper, Kid 'n Play) - 62
April 5, 1964
Mike McCready (Guitarist, Pearl Jam) - 60
April 5, 1966
Extra Fun Facts: Christopher Reid
Christopher Reid became a familiar late-80s pop culture face as one half of Kid 'n Play. The duo broke through with their music and then became even more visible through movies and TV at the turn of the 90s.
Remembering
Bette Davis (Actress)
April 5, 1908 - October 6, 1989 (Age 81)
Gregory Peck (Actor)
April 5, 1916 - June 12, 2003 (Age 87)
Sam Walton (Businessman, Walmart Founder)
March 29, 1918 - April 5, 1992 (Age 74)
Kurt Cobain (Singer, Nirvana)
February 20, 1967 - April 5, 1994 (Age 27)
Layne Staley (Singer, Alice in Chains)
August 22, 1967 - April 5, 2002 (Age 34)
Charlton Heston (Actor, Planet of the Apes)
October 4, 1923 - April 5, 2008 (Age 84)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on April 5th
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Debut Album
Release Date: April 5, 1988
Billboard 200: #1
Featuring: “Fast Car”
Conscious Party
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers
3rd Album
Release Date: April 5, 1988
Billboard 200: #23
Singles Released
The Flame
Cheap Trick
Release Date: April 5, 1988
Details: The song later became Cheap Trick’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On April 5th
No major verified 80s theatrical releases found for this date.
TODAY IN 80S TV
Hawaii Five-O
Event: Series Finale
Network: CBS
Final Episode Date: April 5, 1980
Seasons: 12
Episodes: 279
Report to Murphy
Event: Series Premiere
Network: CBS
First Episode Date: April 5, 1982
Last Episode Date: May 31, 1982
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Starring: Michael Keaton
Fox Network
Event: Prime-Time Network Debut
Date: April 5, 1987
Details: Fox launched its prime-time lineup with Married... with Children and The Tracey Ullman Show.
Married... with Children
Event: Series Premiere
Network: Fox
First Episode Date: April 5, 1987
Last Episode Date: June 9, 1997
Seasons: 11
Episodes: 258
The Tracey Ullman Show
Event: Series Premiere
Network: Fox
First Episode Date: April 5, 1987
Last Episode Date: May 26, 1990
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 81
The Robert Guillaume Show
Event: Series Premiere
Network: ABC
First Episode Date: April 5, 1989
Last Episode Date: July 19, 1989
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 13
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1982 - Jim Kaat Pitches in His 24th Straight Season
Event: MLB Longevity Record
Details: St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jim Kaat appeared in his 24th consecutive major league season, extending his longevity record.
1983 - Tom Seaver Makes Record 14th Straight Opening Day Start
Event: MLB Opening Day Record
Details: Seaver pitched six scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Phillies 2-0 in New York.
1984 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Becomes NBA All-Time Leading Scorer
Event: NBA Scoring Record
Details: Kareem scored 22 points in a Lakers win over the Jazz to pass Wilt Chamberlain’s career scoring mark.
1987 - Wayne Gretzky Wins 7th Straight Scoring Title
Event: NHL Season Milestone
Details: Gretzky secured his seventh consecutive NHL scoring title on the final day of the regular season.
1989 - Orel Hershiser’s Scoreless-Innings Streak Ends at 59
Event: MLB Record Streak Ends
Details: Hershiser’s major league record scoreless streak was snapped when Barry Larkin scored for Cincinnati in the first inning.
TODAY IN OTHER 80S NEWS
1989 - Late Night with David Letterman Becomes First TV Show in Dolby Stereo
Event: Television Technology Milestone
Details: David Letterman’s show became the first television program to use Dolby Stereo sound.
