Today in 80s history! What happened on May 8th 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
Toni Tennille (Captain & Tennille) - Age 86
May 8, 1940
Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire) - Age 75
May 8, 1951
Chris Frantz (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club) - Age 75
May 8, 1951
Billy Burnette (Fleetwood Mac, Singer, Guitarist) - Age 73
May 8, 1953
Alex Van Halen (Van Halen) - Age 73
May 8, 1953
David Keith (An Officer and a Gentleman, Firestarter) - Age 72
May 8, 1954
Bill Cowher (Football, Pittsburgh Steelers Coach) - Age 69
May 8, 1957
Ronnie Lott (Football Hall of Famer) - Age 67
May 8, 1959
Melissa Gilbert (Little House on the Prairie) - Age 62
May 8, 1964
Bobby Labonte (NASCAR) - Age 62
May 8, 1964
REMEMBERING
Don Rickles (Comedian, Actor, Casino, Toy Story)
May 8, 1926 - April 6, 2017 (Age 90)
Ricky Nelson (Singer, Actor, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet)
May 8, 1940 - December 31, 1985 (Age 45)
Stephen Furst (Animal House, St. Elsewhere)
May 8, 1954 - June 16, 2017 (Age 63)
TODAY IN 80S MUSIC
80s Music Released on May 8th
Junta
Phish
Debut Studio Album
Release Date: May 8, 1989
Chart Info: Not verified
Featuring: "You Enjoy Myself" and "Fee"
Kite
Kirsty MacColl
2nd Studio Album
Release Date: May 8, 1989
Chart Info: Peaked at #34 on the UK Albums Chart
Featuring: "Days" and "Free World"
In Other 80s Music News
1982 - Vangelis Hits #1 with "Chariots of Fire"
Event: Chart Milestone
Details: Vangelis reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the instrumental theme from Chariots of Fire.
TODAY IN 80S MOVIES
80s Movies Released On May 8th
The Burning (1981)
Release Date: May 8, 1981
Director: Tony Maylam
Starring: Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres and Lou David
Budget: $1.5 Million
Box Office: $707,770
Gardens of Stone (1987)
Release Date: May 8, 1987
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: James Caan, Anjelica Huston and James Earl Jones
Budget: $13.5 Million
Box Office: $5.2 Million
Hot Pursuit (1987)
Release Date: May 8, 1987
Director: Steven Lisberger
Starring: John Cusack, Robert Loggia and Wendy Gazelle
Budget: $4 Million
Box Office: $4.2 Million
TODAY IN 80S TV
Sara
Event: Finale
Network: NBC
Final Episode Date: May 8, 1985
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 13
Note: The Geena Davis sitcom ended its original NBC run.
Stingray
Event: Finale
Network: NBC
Final Episode Date: May 8, 1987
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 24
Note: The Nick Mancuso drama ended its original NBC run.
Something Is Out There
Event: Miniseries Premiere
Network: NBC
First Episode Date: May 8, 1988
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 9
Note: The science fiction miniseries later led to a short-lived weekly series.
Our House
Event: Finale
Network: NBC
Final Episode Date: May 8, 1988
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 46
Note: The family drama starred Wilford Brimley, Deidre Hall and Shannen Doherty.
TODAY IN 80S SPORTS
1984 - Kirby Puckett Makes His MLB Debut
Event: MLB Debut
Team: Minnesota Twins
Opponent: California Angels
Result: Twins 5, Angels 0
Details: Kirby Puckett went 4-for-5 with four singles in his first major league game.
1984 - White Sox and Brewers Play 25 Innings
Event: MLB Regular Season
Team: Chicago White Sox
Opponent: Milwaukee Brewers
Result: White Sox 7, Brewers 6
Details: The game began on May 8 and ended on May 9 after 25 innings, becoming the longest major league game by time at 8 hours and 6 minutes.
