Today in 80s History: July 6th in the 80s

Precious Time

Artist: Pat Benatar

Released: July 6, 1981

Pat Benatar followed Crimes of Passion with the only album of her career to hit #1 on the Billboard 200, proving her early-80s rock run was no fluke.

Featured Tracks: "Fire and Ice" and "Promises in the Dark"

Chart Notes: Hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Double Platinum in the United States.

QR III

Artist: Quiet Riot

Released: July 6, 1986

Quiet Riot moved toward a more melodic hard-rock sound on their fifth studio album, trading some of their earlier metal bite for bigger 80s production.

Featured Tracks: "The Wild and the Young" and "Twilight Hotel"

Chart Notes: Reached #31 on the Billboard 200.

Echo & the Bunnymen

Artist: Echo & the Bunnymen

Released: July 6, 1987

Echo & the Bunnymen's self-titled fifth album became their biggest U.S. success, bringing the band further into late-80s alternative and college-radio rotation.

Featured Tracks: "Lips Like Sugar" and "Bedbugs and Ballyhoo"

Chart Notes: Reached #51 on the Billboard 200 and #4 in the UK.

In the Dark

Artist: Grateful Dead

Released: July 6, 1987

The Grateful Dead returned with their first studio album in seven years and finally scored their biggest mainstream breakthrough.

Featured Tracks: "Touch of Grey" and "Hell in a Bucket"

Chart Notes: Reached #6 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Double Platinum.

In Other 80s Music News

1985 - Phil Collins Hits #1 with "Sussudio"

Event: Billboard Hot 100 #1

Details: "Sussudio" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the chart dated July 6, 1985, giving Phil Collins another major solo smash during his huge mid-80s run.

License to Drive (1988)

Release Date: July 6, 1988

Directed by: Greg Beeman

Starring: Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Carol Kane, Richard Masur and Heather Graham

The two Coreys turned one failed driving test into a wild night out in this late-80s teen comedy. Made for about $8 million, the film earned more than $22 million domestically and gave Heather Graham one of her earliest film roles.

Short Circuit 2 (1988)

Release Date: July 6, 1988

Directed by: Kenneth Johnson

Starring: Fisher Stevens, Michael McKean, Cynthia Gibb, Jack Weston and Tim Blaney

Johnny 5 headed to the city for this sequel, trading military labs for toy robots, street hustles and a very 80s dose of robot charm. Made for about $15 million, it earned about $21.6 million domestically.

No 80s TV News for today in the 80s!

1983 - Fred Lynn Hits the First Grand Slam in All-Star Game History

Event: MLB All-Star Game

Team: American League

Opponent: National League

Result: American League won 13-3

Details: Fred Lynn hit the first grand slam in MLB All-Star Game history off Atlee Hammaker at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Lynn was named the game's MVP.

1985 - Martina Navratilova Wins Wimbledon

Event: Wimbledon Women's Singles Final

Team: Martina Navratilova

Opponent: Chris Evert Lloyd

Result: Navratilova won 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

Details: Navratilova captured another Wimbledon title in her dominant 80s run, defeating Chris Evert Lloyd in a three-set final.

1986 - Boris Becker Wins the 100th Wimbledon Championship

Event: Wimbledon Men's Singles Final

Team: Boris Becker

Opponent: Ivan Lendl

Result: Becker won 6-4, 6-3, 7-5

Details: Becker defended his Wimbledon title and won the historic 100th edition of the tournament.

1986 - Bob Horner Hits Four Home Runs

Event: MLB Milestone

Team: Atlanta Braves

Opponent: Montreal Expos

Result: Braves lost 11-8

Details: Bob Horner became the only player in the 1980s to hit four home runs in one major league game, doing it in a loss to the Expos.

Nothing for today in other 80s history!