Today in 80s history! What happened on June 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
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Barry Manilow (Singer, Songwriter) - 83
June 17, 1943 -
George S. Clinton (Film Composer, Songwriter) - 79
June 17, 1947 -
Gregg Rolie (Santana, Journey) - 79
June 17, 1947 -
Dave Concepción (Cincinnati Reds Shortstop) - 78
June 17, 1948 -
Joe Piscopo (Saturday Night Live, Johnny Dangerously) - 75
June 17, 1951 -
Mark Linn-Baker (Perfect Strangers, My Favorite Year) - 72
June 17, 1954 -
Jason Patric (The Lost Boys) - 60
June 17, 1966
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on June 17th
Synchronicity
Artist: The Police
Released: June 17, 1983
The Police closed out their studio-album run with a monster release that gave the decade one of its signature songs, "Every Breath You Take."
Featured Tracks: "Every Breath You Take," "King of Pain" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger"
Chart Notes: Hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and became the band's biggest album.
Single Life
Artist: Cameo
Released: June 17, 1985
Cameo kept their funk machine rolling with this slick mid-80s album, setting the stage for their even bigger Word Up! era the following year.
Featured Tracks: "Single Life" and "Attack Me with Your Love"
Chart Notes: Reached #2 on the Billboard R&B albums chart and #58 on the Billboard 200.
Crush
Artist: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Released: June 17, 1985
OMD leaned into a more polished, radio-friendly sound on this album, helping push the band further into the American pop conversation.
Featured Tracks: "So in Love" and "Secret"
Chart Notes: Reached #38 on the Billboard 200.
In Other 80s Music News
1989 - New Kids on the Block Hit #1
Event: Billboard Hot 100 #1
Details: "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" became New Kids on the Block's first #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100, helping cement the group's rise as one of the biggest pop acts of the late 80s.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On June 17th
Superman III (1983)
Release Date: June 17, 1983
Directed by: Richard Lester
Starring: Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Annette O'Toole and Margot Kidder
Christopher Reeve returned as the Man of Steel for a lighter, more comedy-driven sequel that paired Superman with Richard Pryor during the computer-age craze of the early 80s. The film earned about $80.2 million worldwide.
The Great Outdoors (1988)
Release Date: June 17, 1988
Directed by: Howard Deutch
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, John Candy and Annette Bening
John Candy and Dan Aykroyd turned a family cabin getaway into an 80s vacation comedy full of bears, boats and in-law chaos. Made for about $24 million, the film earned about $43.5 million at the U.S. box office.
TODAY IN 80S TV
No major 80s TV news today!
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1985 - The U.S. Express Regains the WWF Tag Team Championship
Event: WWF Tag Team Championship
Team: The U.S. Express
Opponent: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff
Result: The U.S. Express won the titles
Details: Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo defeated The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff in Poughkeepsie, New York, to begin their second WWF Tag Team Championship reign.
