Today in 80s history! What happened on June 20th 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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Lionel Richie (Commodores, Solo Artist) - 77
June 20, 1949 -
John Goodman (Roseanne, The Big Easy) - 74
June 20, 1952 -
Michael Anthony (Van Halen) - 72
June 20, 1954 -
John Taylor (Duran Duran) - 66
June 20, 1960 -
Nicole Kidman (Dead Calm, BMX Bandits) - 59
June 20, 1967
REMEMBERING -
Olympia Dukakis (Moonstruck, Steel Magnolias)
June 20, 1931 - May 1, 2021 (Age 89) -
Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)
June 20, 1942 - June 11, 2025 (Age 82) -
John Mahoney (Moonstruck, Say Anything...)
June 20, 1940 - February 4, 2018 (Age 77)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on June 20th
The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack Recording
Artist: The Blues Brothers
Released: June 20, 1980
The movie hit theaters and the soundtrack arrived with it, turning Jake and Elwood's soul, blues and R&B mission into one of the most memorable musical moments of the summer.
Featured Tracks: "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" and "Gimme Some Lovin'"
Chart Notes: Reached #13 on the Billboard 200.
Welcome to the Real World
Artist: Mr. Mister
Released: June 20, 1985
Mr. Mister's second album became one of the big pop-rock breakouts of the mid-80s, powered by sleek production and two massive #1 singles.
Featured Tracks: "Broken Wings" and "Kyrie"
Chart Notes: Hit #1 on the Billboard 200.
Roll with It
Artist: Steve Winwood
Released: June 20, 1988
Steve Winwood kept his late-80s comeback rolling with a polished blue-eyed soul album that became one of the biggest releases of his solo career.
Featured Tracks: "Roll with It" and "Don't You Know What the Night Can Do?"
Chart Notes: Hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and sold more than three million copies.
Chicago 19
Artist: Chicago
Released: June 20, 1988
Chicago continued its 80s hitmaking era with a glossy pop-rock album that gave the band another huge radio moment.
Featured Tracks: "Look Away" and "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love"
Chart Notes: "Look Away" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In Other 80s Music News
1987 - Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam Hit #1
Event: Billboard Hot 100 #1
Details: "Head to Toe" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam one of the defining freestyle-pop hits of the late 80s.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On June 20th
The Blues Brothers (1980)
Release Date: June 20, 1980
Directed by: John Landis
Starring: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Carrie Fisher and Aretha Franklin
Jake and Elwood Blues brought their Saturday Night Live act to the big screen in a massive musical car-chase comedy packed with soul legends. It earned more than $57 million domestically and became an enduring cult favorite.
The Blue Lagoon (1980)
Release Date: June 20, 1980
Directed by: Randal Kleiser
Starring: Brooke Shields, Christopher Atkins and Leo McKern
This tropical coming-of-age drama became one of 1980's most talked-about releases. Made for about $4.5 million, it earned about $58.8 million domestically.
Brubaker (1980)
Release Date: June 20, 1980
Directed by: Stuart Rosenberg
Starring: Robert Redford, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Alexander and Morgan Freeman
Robert Redford starred as a reform-minded prison warden in this gritty drama inspired by real prison scandals. It earned more than $37 million domestically.
The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
Release Date: June 20, 1986
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Starring: Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, Danny Kamekona and Yuji Okumoto
Daniel and Mr. Miyagi headed to Okinawa for the blockbuster sequel to one of the decade's most beloved underdog stories. The film earned more than $115 million domestically.
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1980 - Roberto Durán Defeats Sugar Ray Leonard
Event: WBC Welterweight Championship Fight
Team: Roberto Durán
Opponent: Sugar Ray Leonard
Result: Durán won by 15-round unanimous decision
Details: In the legendary "Brawl in Montreal," Roberto Durán handed Sugar Ray Leonard his first professional loss and captured the WBC welterweight title at Olympic Stadium.
