Category Archives: Popular Music 1980s

‘Woman’ by John Lennon released as a single 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1981)


Video: 'WOMAN. (Ultimate Mix, 2020) - John Lennon (official music video HD)'

(Thursday, January 8, 1981) — “Woman,” a song written and performed by former Beatle John Lennon, was released as a single today in the United States (Jan. 16, 1981, in the United Kingdom).
Continue reading ‘Woman’ by John Lennon released as a single 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1981)

Folksinger-songwriter Tim Hardin found dead of an accidental heroin overdose 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1980)


Video: 'The Music Warehouse - Tim Hardin at Woodstock' (7 videos)

(Monday, December 29, 1980, body was found at about 6:30 p.m. PST) — The body of 39-year-old Tim Hardin, an American folk musician and composer who wrote the Top 40 hit “If I Were a Carpenter,” was found tonight on the floor of his Hollywood apartment, having died of an accidental heroin overdose.
Continue reading Folksinger-songwriter Tim Hardin found dead of an accidental heroin overdose 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1980)

‘Double Fantasy’ album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 27 1980)


Video: 'John Lennon - Double Fantasy' (first 14 videos constitute original album)

(Saturday, December 27, 1980)Double Fantasy, the fifth album by former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart for eight consecutive weeks (Dec. 27, 1980, Jan. 3/10/17/24/31, Feb. 7/14, 1981).
Continue reading ‘Double Fantasy’ album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 27 1980)

‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ by John Lennon peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 27 1980)

(Saturday, December 27, 1980)“(Just Like) Starting Over” by former Beatle John Lennon peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for six consecutive weeks (Dec. 27, 1980, Jan. 3/10/17/24, 1981).
Continue reading ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ by John Lennon peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 27 1980)

‘Hungry Heart’ by Bruce Springsteen peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 27 1980)

(Saturday, December 27, 1980)“Hungry Heart” by Bruce Springsteen peaked at #5 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for five weeks.
Continue reading ‘Hungry Heart’ by Bruce Springsteen peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 27 1980)

‘Hit Me with Your Best Shot’ by Pat Benatar peaks at #9 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 20 1980)

(Saturday, December 20, 1980)“Hit Me with Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar peaked at #9 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks.
Continue reading ‘Hit Me with Your Best Shot’ by Pat Benatar peaks at #9 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 20 1980)

Silent tribute to John Lennon’s memory observed throughout the world 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1980)


Video: 'WABC-TV CH 7 NYC JOHN LENNON TRIBUTE 12-14-80 PT 1'

(Sunday, December 14, 1980, 2:00 p.m. EST; following the Murder of John Lennon) — In silence and in song, Beatles fans around the world paid final tribute today in parks, plazas and even parking lots, to John Lennon, who was murdered by a deranged fan on Dec. 8, 1980, outside his New York City apartment building. Continue reading Silent tribute to John Lennon’s memory observed throughout the world 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1980)

News coverage of John Lennon’s murder continues as fans mourn worldwide 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 9 1980)


Video: 'NBC Network - The Today Show - "Lennon Murdered" (Complete Network Broadcast, 12/9/1980) ?'

(Tuesday, December 9, 1980; during the Murder of John Lennon) — News coverage and mourning around the world continued today followed late last night’s fatal shooting of English musician John Lennon, formerly of The Beatles, by a deranged fan. Continue reading News coverage of John Lennon’s murder continues as fans mourn worldwide 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 9 1980)

Former Beatle John Lennon fatally shot by a deranged fan in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 8 1980)


Video: 'JOHN LENNON DEAD COSELL & NIGHTLINE REPORTS 12-8-1980'

(Monday, December 8, 1980, approximately 10:50 p.m. EST; during the Murder of John Lennon) — English musician John Lennon, formerly of The Beatles, was fatally shot by a deranged fan tonight while entering the archway of The Dakota, his residence on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in New York City. Continue reading Former Beatle John Lennon fatally shot by a deranged fan in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 8 1980)

John Lennon talks to RKO Radio in what becomes his final interview 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 8 1980)


Video: 'JOHN LENNON - Dernière interview avant son meurtre - 8 Décembre 1980'

(Monday, December 8, 1980, for a few hours this afternoon, ending at around 5:00 p.m. EST) — Former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, sat down with Dave Sholin, Laurie Kaye and Ron Hummel of San Francisco’s RKO Radio (plus Bert Keane of Warner Bros.) this afternoon at Ono’s Studio One office at the Dakota apartment building in New York City for another lengthy interview to promote their new studio album Double Fantasy. Continue reading John Lennon talks to RKO Radio in what becomes his final interview 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 8 1980)