Category Archives: 1980s

‘Playmate of the Year’ Dorothy Stratten, 20, killed by estranged husband in murder-suicide 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1980)


Video: 'Dorothy Stratten Biography * Biography Documentary Channel'

(Thursday, August 14, 1980, 1:00 p.m. PDT) — Playboy magazine’s current “Playmate of the Year,” actress-model Dorothy Stratten, 20, was brutally raped and shot to death today in Los Angeles by her estranged husband and manager, Paul Snider, who then killed himself. Continue reading ‘Playmate of the Year’ Dorothy Stratten, 20, killed by estranged husband in murder-suicide 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1980) →

John Lennon tracks ‘I Don’t Wanna Face It’ and ‘(Forgive Me) My Little Flower Princess’ 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1980)


Video: 'John Lennon Alternate Fantasy 2/14 - I Don't Wanna Face It'

(Thursday, August 14, 1980; during sessions for Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey) — Former Beatle John Lennon, who returned to the recording studio last week after a five-year absence for what would turn out to be his final studio albums, Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey (both with his wife, Yoko Ono), tracked “I Don’t Wanna Face It” and “(Forgive Me) My Little Flower Princess” today in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon tracks ‘I Don’t Wanna Face It’ and ‘(Forgive Me) My Little Flower Princess’ 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1980) →

Thousands of shipyard workers in Poland strike for their rights 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1980)


Video: '14th August 1980: Lech Walesa leads Gda?sk shipyard workers on strike'

(Thursday, August 14, 1980, 6:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time) — Thousands of workers at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, staged a successful strike today to protest the Aug. 7, 1980, dismissal of Anna Walentynowicz, a crane operator and workers’ rights activist, in a job action resulted in creation of Solidarity, the first independent labor union in a Soviet-bloc country. Continue reading Thousands of shipyard workers in Poland strike for their rights 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1980) →

Ted Kennedy delivers ‘The Dream Shall Never Die’ speech at Democratic Convention 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1980)


Video: '"The Dream Shall Never Die" Ted Kennedy DNC 1980'

(Tuesday, August 12, 1980, approximately 9:30 p.m. EDT; the 1980 Democratic National Convention) — U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, having withdrawn his challenge to President Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination on Aug. 11, delivered his “The Dream Shall Never Die” speech tonight at the Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, calling for Democrats to “keep the faith” with their traditional principles.

Kennedy defended post-World War II liberalism, advocated for a national healthcare insurance model, criticized Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan and implicitly rebuked Carter for his more moderate political stances.

“For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end,” Kennedy said as he concluded the speech. “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”

The address has been remembered by some as Kennedy’s best speeches, and one of the most influential orations of the era.

John Lennon tracks ‘I’m Losing You’ with Cheap Trick 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1980)


Video: 'John Lennon; Cheap Trick - I'm Losing You [Extended Version]'

(Tuesday, August 12, 1980; during sessions for Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey) — Former Beatle John Lennon, who returned to the recording studio last week after a five-year absence for what would turn out to be his final studio albums, Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey (both with his wife, Yoko Ono), tracked “I’m Losing You” with Cheap Trick’s guitarist Rick Nielsen and drummer Bun E. Carlos backing Lennon today in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon tracks ‘I’m Losing You’ with Cheap Trick 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1980) →

Ringo Starr resumes recording ‘Stop and Smell the Roses’ LP in North Hollywood 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 11 1980)


Video: 'Ringo Starr - Red and Black Blues'

(Monday, August 11, 1980; during sessions for Stop and Smell the Roses) — English rock musician and former Beatle Ringo Starr began a second round of recording sessions for Stop and Smell the Roses, his eighth studio album, today with Stephen Stills at Devonshire Sound Studios at 10733 Magnolia Blvd in North Hollywood, California. Continue reading Ringo Starr resumes recording ‘Stop and Smell the Roses’ LP in North Hollywood 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 11 1980) →

‘Empire Strikes Back (Medley)’ by Meco peaks at #18 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1980)

(Saturday, August 9, 1980) — “Empire Strikes Back (Medley)” by Meco peaked at #18 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Empire Strikes Back (Medley)’ by Meco peaks at #18 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1980) →

‘I Can’t Let Go’ by Linda Ronstadt peaks at #31 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1980)

(Saturday, August 9, 1980) — “I Can’t Let Go” by Linda Ronstadt peaked at #31 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘I Can’t Let Go’ by Linda Ronstadt peaks at #31 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1980) →

John Lennon tracks ‘Borrowed Time’ and ‘Nobody Told Me’ 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 8 1980)


Video: 'The Lost Lennon Tapes Volume 7' ('Borrowed Time' alternate studio take, 3:01)

(Friday, August 8, 1980, 2:00 p.m. EDT; during sessions for Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey) — Former Beatle John Lennon, who returned to the recording studio yesterday after a five-year absence for what would turn out to be his final studio albums, Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey (both with his wife, Yoko Ono), tracked “Borrowed Time” and “Nobody Told Me” today at The Hit Factory at 421 West 54th in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon tracks ‘Borrowed Time’ and ‘Nobody Told Me’ 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 8 1980) →

John Lennon returns to recording studio after five-year absence 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1980)


Video: 'John Lennon - I'm Stepping Out [outtake]'

(Thursday, August 7, 1980, 2:00 p.m. EDT; during sessions for Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey) — Former Beatle John Lennon returned to the recording studio today after a five-year absence for what would turn out to be his final studio albums, Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey (both with his wife, Yoko Ono), tracking “I’m Stepping Out” in a sixth floor recording studio at The Hit Factory at 421 West 54th in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon returns to recording studio after five-year absence 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1980) →