Today in 80s history! What happened on March 11th 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
Bobby McFerrin (Singer, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”) — 76
March 11, 1950
Fun Facts:
Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” became the first a cappella song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song won three Grammy Awards in 1989, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
McFerrin is famous for his four-octave vocal range and his ability to create percussion, bass lines, and melodies using only his voice.
The music video for “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” featured actor Robin Williams and comedian Bill Irwin, helping make it one of the most recognizable videos of the late 80s.
Mark Metcalf (Actor, Animal House, Seinfeld) — 80
March 11, 1946
Jerry Zucker (Director, Airplane!) — 76
March 11, 1950
Elias Koteas (Actor, Some Kind of Wonderful – Duncan) — 65
March 11, 1961
Wallace Langham (Actor) — 61
March 11, 1965
Thora Birch (Actress, Day by Day) — 44
March 11, 1982
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on March 11th
No Rest for the Wicked
Helix
3rd Album
Release Date: March 11, 1983
Billboard 200: #186
Behind the Sun
Eric Clapton
9th Solo Album
Release Date: March 11, 1985
Billboard 200: #34
First and Last and Always
The Sisters of Mercy
Debut Album
Release Date: March 11, 1985
UK Albums Chart: #14
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On March 11th
Trenchcoat (1983)
Release Date: March 11, 1983
Director: Michael Tuchner
Starring: Margot Kidder and Robert Hays
Budget: $8 Million
Box Office: $4.3 Million
10 to Midnight (1983)
Release Date: March 11, 1983
Director: J. Lee Thompson
Starring: Charles Bronson
Budget: $4.5 Million
Box Office: $7.1 Million
Stand and Deliver (1988)
Release Date: March 11, 1988
Director: Ramón Menéndez
Starring: Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rosanna DeSoto and Andy García
Budget: $1.6 Million
Box Office: $14 Million
Masquerade (1988)
Release Date: March 11, 1988
Director: Bob Swaim
Starring: Rob Lowe, Meg Tilly, Kim Cattrall and Doug Savant
Budget: $12 Million
Box Office: $15.9 Million
Off Limits (1988)
Release Date: March 11, 1988
Director: Christopher Crowe
Starring: Willem Dafoe and Gregory Hines
Budget: $12 Million
Box Office: $7.2 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
United States
Event: Series Premiere
Network: NBC
First Episode Date: March 11, 1980
Last Episode Date: April 29, 1980
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 13 total, with 9 aired by NBC
Starring: Beau Bridges and Helen Shaver
Houston Knights
Event: Series Premiere
Network: CBS
First Episode Date: March 11, 1987
Last Episode Date: June 7, 1988
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 31
Starring: Michael Beck and Michael Paré
Cops
Event: Series Premiere
Network: Fox
First Episode Date: March 11, 1989
Note: It later became one of the longest-running reality series in television history.
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1981 - Johnny Mize and Rube Foster Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
Event: Hall of Fame Election
Selection Method: Veterans Committee
Details:
Johnny Mize and Negro Leagues pioneer Rube Foster were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
1983 - Scott Hamilton Wins the Men’s World Figure Skating Championship
Event: World Figure Skating Championships
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Champion: Scott Hamilton
Runner-Up: Norbert Schramm (West Germany)
1986 - Mike Bossy Becomes the First NHL Player with 50 Goals in 9 Straight Seasons
Event: NHL Milestone
Team: New York Islanders
Details:
Bossy scored four goals against Calgary to extend his record to nine straight 50-goal seasons.
1986 - NFL Adopts Instant Replay
Event: NFL Rules Change
Details:
NFL owners approved instant replay for the 1986 season.
