Today in 80s history! What happened on May 21st 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
Ronald Isley (The Isley Brothers) - 85
May 21, 1941
Bill Champlin (Chicago Singer and Keyboardist) - 79
May 21, 1947
Al Franken (Saturday Night Live) - 75
May 21, 1951
Mr. T (The A-Team and Rocky III) - 74
May 21, 1952
Stan Lynch (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Drummer) - 71
May 21, 1955
Judge Reinhold (Beverly Hills Cop and Fast Times at Ridgemont High) - 69
May 21, 1957
Kent Hrbek (Minnesota Twins First Baseman) - 66
May 21, 1960
Lisa Edelstein (House and Actress) - 60
May 21, 1966
Fairuza Balk (Return to Oz and The Craft) - 52
May 21, 1974
REMEMBERING
Raymond Burr (Perry Mason and Ironside)
May 21, 1917 - September 12, 1993 (Age 76)
Earl Averill (Cleveland Indians Hall of Famer)
May 21, 1902 - August 16, 1983 (Age 81)
Jack Twyman (NBA Hall of Famer)
May 21, 1934 - May 30, 2012 (Age 78)
Bobby Cox (Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame Manager)
May 21, 1941 - May 9, 2026 (Age 84)
The Notorious B.I.G. (Rapper)
May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997 (Age 24)
Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson Bassist and Thriller Session Musician)
April 13, 1955 - May 21, 2015 (Age 60)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on May 21st
Hot Space
Queen
10th Studio Album
Release Date: May 21, 1982
Chart Info: Peaked at #22 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on the UK Albums Chart
Featuring: "Under Pressure" and "Body Language"
"God Bless the U.S.A."
Lee Greenwood
Single
Release Date: May 21, 1984
Chart Info: Peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart
Featuring: "God Bless the U.S.A."
The Confessor
Joe Walsh
7th Solo Studio Album
Release Date: May 21, 1985
Chart Info: Peaked at #65 on the Billboard 200
Featuring: "The Confessor" and "Good Man Down"
Glow
Rick James
8th Solo Studio Album
Release Date: May 21, 1985
Chart Info: Peaked at #50 on the Billboard 200 and #7 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart
Featuring: "Glow" and "Can't Stop"
Strength of Steel
Anvil
4th Studio Album
Release Date: May 21, 1987
Chart Info: Peaked at #191 on the Billboard 200
Featuring: "Strength of Steel" and "Straight Between the Eyes"
Long Cold Winter
Cinderella
2nd Studio Album
Release Date: May 21, 1988
Chart Info: Peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200
Featuring: "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" and "Gypsy Road"
In Other 80s Music News
1983 - David Bowie Hit #1 with "Let's Dance"
Event: Chart Achievement
Details: David Bowie reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Let's Dance."
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On May 21st
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Release Date: May 21, 1980
Director: Irvin Kershner
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher
Budget: $18 Million
Box Office: $538 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
Event: Premiere
Network: NBC
Premiere Date: May 21, 1987
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 65
Note: The comedy-drama starred Blair Brown and later moved to Lifetime.
Miami Vice
Event: Finale
Network: NBC
Finale Date: May 21, 1989
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 111
Note: The two-hour finale, "Freefall," was intended as the series conclusion, though several unaired episodes aired afterward.
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1981 - Islanders Won Their Second Straight Stanley Cup
Event: Stanley Cup Final Game 5
Team: New York Islanders
Opponent: Minnesota North Stars
Result: Islanders won 5-1
Details: New York won the series 4 games to 1 for its second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.
1983 - Deputed Testamony Won the Preakness Stakes
Event: Horse Racing
Team: Deputed Testamony
Opponent: Desert Wine
Result: Deputed Testamony won by 2 3/4 lengths
Details: Donnie Miller Jr. rode Deputed Testamony to victory in the 108th Preakness Stakes.
1988 - Risen Star Won the Preakness Stakes
Event: Horse Racing
Team: Risen Star
Opponent: Brian's Time
Result: Risen Star won by 1 1/4 lengths
Details: Eddie Delahoussaye rode Risen Star to victory in the 113th Preakness Stakes.
TODAY IN OTHER 80S NEWS
1984 - Atari 7800 Was Announced
Event: Video Game Console Announcement
Location: United States
Details: Atari announced the Atari 7800 ProSystem, though its wider release was delayed until 1986.
