Category Archives: Popular Music 1980s

‘All Those Years Ago,’ George Harrison’s tribute to John Lennon, debuts at #33 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 23 1981)


Video: 'George Harrison - All Those Years Ago [High Quality]'

(Saturday, May 23, 1981) — “All Those Years Ago,” by former Beatle George Harrison, a tribute to his late former bandmate, John Lennon, who murdered last year by a deranged fan (with former Beatles Ringo Starr on drums and Paul McCartney on backing vocals, recorded separately) debuted at #33 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Continue reading ‘All Those Years Ago,’ George Harrison’s tribute to John Lennon, debuts at #33 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 23 1981)

‘Super Trouper’ by ABBA peaks at #45 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 23 1981)

(Saturday, May 23, 1981) — “Super Trouper” by ABBA peaked at #45 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.
Continue reading ‘Super Trouper’ by ABBA peaks at #45 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 23 1981)

‘Bette Davis Eyes’ by Kim Carnes peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 16 1981)

(Saturday, May 16, 1981)Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes is the #1 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart for nine non-consecutive weeks (May 16/23/30, June 6/13/27, July 4/11/18, 1981). Continue reading ‘Bette Davis Eyes’ by Kim Carnes peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 16 1981)

‘All Those Years Ago’: George Harrison’s tribute to John Lennon released 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1981)


Video: 'George Harrison - All Those Years Ago [High Quality]'

(Monday, May 11, 1981) — “All Those Years Ago,” a tribute to the late former Beatle, John Lennon, who murdered last year by a deranged fan, by fellow former Beatle George Harrison (also featuring fellow ex-Beatles Ringo Starr on drums and Paul McCartney on backing vocals, recorded separately) was released today in the U.S. as a single (May 15, 1981, in the UK). Continue reading ‘All Those Years Ago’: George Harrison’s tribute to John Lennon released 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1981)

Reggae icon Bob Marley, 36, succumbs to cancer at Miami hospital 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1981)


Video: 'Bob Marley Death News Announcement (May 11, 1981)'

(Monday, May 11, 1981, 11:45 a.m. EDT)Bob Marley, international superstar and popularizer of the hard-driving Jamaican reggae music, died today at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital (later University of Miami Hospital) in Miami after a long battle with cancer. He was 36. Continue reading Reggae icon Bob Marley, 36, succumbs to cancer at Miami hospital 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1981)

‘You Better You Bet’ by The Who peaks at #18 n USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1981)

(Saturday, May 9, 1981) — “You Better You Bet” by The Who peaked today at #18 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the first of three weeks.
Continue reading ‘You Better You Bet’ by The Who peaks at #18 n USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1981)

‘Morning Train (Nine to Five)’ by Sheena Easton peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 2 1981)

(Saturday, May 2, 1981) — “Morning Train (Nine to Five)” by Sheena Easton peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (May 2/9, 1981).
Continue reading ‘Morning Train (Nine to Five)’ by Sheena Easton peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 2 1981)

Surviving Beatles reunite for Ringo Starr’s wedding to Barbara Bach 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1981)


Video: 'Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach's Wedding - BBC News - 27 April 1981'

(Monday, April 27, 1981) — Ringo Starr, 40, married actress Barbara Bach, 33, today in London with Paul McCartney and George Harrison (and their respective spouses) in attendance, reuniting all three surviving ex-members of The Beatles less than five months after the assassination of the fourth former member of the group, John Lennon. Continue reading Surviving Beatles reunite for Ringo Starr’s wedding to Barbara Bach 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1981)