Today in 80s history! What happened on May 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
Taj Mahal (Blues Musician) - 84
May 17, 1942
Bill Bruford (Yes and King Crimson Drummer) - 77
May 17, 1949
Sugar Ray Leonard (Boxing Champion) - 70
May 17, 1956
Jim Nantz (CBS Sports Broadcaster) - 67
May 17, 1959
Enya (Orinoco Flow) - 65
May 17, 1961
Craig Ferguson (Comedian and Late Night Host) - 64
May 17, 1962
Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) - 61
May 17, 1965
Jordan Knight (New Kids on the Block) - 56
May 17, 1970
REMEMBERING
Maureen O'Sullivan (Tarzan Films and Hannah and Her Sisters)
May 17, 1911 - June 23, 1998 (Age 87)
Dennis Hopper (Easy Rider and Blue Velvet)
May 17, 1936 - May 29, 2010 (Age 74)
Bill Paxton (Weird Science and Aliens)
May 17, 1955 - February 25, 2017 (Age 61)
Bob Saget (Full House and America's Funniest Home Videos)
May 17, 1956 - January 9, 2022 (Age 65)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on May 17th
Gap Band IV
The Gap Band
6th Studio Album
Release Date: May 17, 1982
Chart Info: Peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200 and hit #1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart
Featuring: "Early in the Morning" and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me"
"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
Chicago
Single
Release Date: May 17, 1982
Chart Info: Hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from September 11 through September 24, 1982
Featuring: "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and "Sonny Think Twice"
All Systems Go
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
2nd Studio Album
Release Date: May 17, 1988
Featuring: "Love Kills" and "That Time of Year"
Cycles
The Doobie Brothers
10th Studio Album
Release Date: May 17, 1989
Chart Info: Peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200
Featuring: "The Doctor" and "Need a Little Taste of Love"
In Other 80s Music News
1980 - Blondie Stayed at #1 with "Call Me"
Event: Chart Achievement
Details: Blondie's "Call Me" remained #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1986 - Whitney Houston Hit #1 with "Greatest Love of All"
Event: Chart Achievement
Details: Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On May 17th
No major movie releases on May 17th in the 80s!
TODAY IN 80S TV
The Return of the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman
Event: Television Movie Premiere
Network: NBC
Premiere Date: May 17, 1987
Seasons: N/A
Episodes: 1
Note: Lee Majors and Lindsay Wagner returned as Steve Austin and Jaime Sommers.
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1980 - Codex Won the Preakness Stakes
Event: Horse Racing
Team: Codex
Opponent: Genuine Risk
Result: Codex won by 4 3/4 lengths
Details: Codex won the 105th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico with Ángel Cordero Jr. aboard.
1983 - Islanders Won Their Fourth Straight Stanley Cup
Event: Stanley Cup Final Game 4
Team: New York Islanders
Opponent: Edmonton Oilers
Result: Islanders won 4-2
Details: New York swept Edmonton to win its fourth consecutive Stanley Cup championship.
1986 - Snow Chief Won the Preakness Stakes
Event: Horse Racing
Team: Snow Chief
Opponent: Ferdinand
Result: Snow Chief won by 4 lengths
Details: Snow Chief won the 111th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico with Alex Solis aboard.
