Today in 80s history! What happened on March 16th 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
Erik Estrada (Actor, CHiPs) — 77
March 16, 1949
Fun Facts:
Estrada became a pop culture icon as Officer Frank “Ponch” Poncherello on the hit TV series CHiPs (1977–1983), where his motorcycle-riding highway patrolman helped make the show one of the most recognizable action series of the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Nancy Wilson (Singer, Heart) — 72
March 16, 1954
Ozzie Newsome (Football Player) — 70
March 16, 1956
Flavor Flav (Rapper, Public Enemy) — 67
March 16, 1959
Extra Fun Facts: Flavor Flav
Flavor Flav was one of the most recognizable personalities in hip-hop during the late 80s as a founding member of Public Enemy. Known for his oversized clock necklaces and energetic hype-man style, he helped give the group a distinctive visual identity during the MTV era.
Public Enemy became one of the most influential rap groups of the decade with politically charged lyrics and groundbreaking production by The Bomb Squad. Their 1988 album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever made.
Some of Public Enemy’s most notable late-80s songs include “Bring the Noise,” “Don’t Believe the Hype,” “Night of the Living Baseheads,” and “Fight the Power,” which became an anthem of the era and was featured prominently in Spike Lee’s 1989 film Do the Right Thing.
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on March 16th
Face Dances
The Who
9th Album
Release Date: March 16, 1981
Billboard 200: #4
UK Albums Chart: #2
Featuring: “You Better You Bet”
Fun Fact: “You Better You Bet” was the fourth music video played on MTV.
Breaker
Accept
3rd Album
Release Date: March 16, 1981
Alchemy: Dire Straits Live
Dire Straits
Live Album
Release Date: March 16, 1984
Billboard 200: #46
Café Bleu
The Style Council
Debut Album
Release Date: March 16, 1984
With or Without You
U2
Single
Release Date: March 16, 1987
Billboard Hot 100: #1
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On March 16th
Tank (1984)
Release Date: March 16, 1984
Director: Marvin J. Chomsky
Starring: James Garner, Shirley Jones, Jenilee Harrison and C. Thomas Howell
Budget: $6 Million
Box Office: $11.3 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
The White Shadow
Event: Series Finale
Network: CBS
Final Episode Date: March 16, 1981
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 54
Starring: Ken Howard
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1983 – Nets Defeat Cavaliers in Front of Tiny Crowd
Event: NBA Regular Season Game
Teams: New Jersey Nets vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Result: Nets win 96-90
1985 – Denny McLain Convicted on Federal Charges
Event: Federal Court Conviction
Details: Former Detroit Tigers Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain was convicted on charges involving cocaine trafficking, extortion and racketeering. McLain remains the last pitcher in Major League Baseball history to win 30 games in a season, accomplishing the feat in 1968.
