On this day in 1981: Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley passed away at age 36. In July 1977, Marley was found to have a type of malignant melanoma under the nail of a toe, Marley’s health deteriorated as the cancer spread throughout his body. Marley had the 1981 single ‘No Woman No Cry’, plus over ten other […]
Category: Charlie’s 80s Blog
This Day In 80s Music, May 10th
On this day in 1985: The Go-Go’s announced they were breaking up. Two of the members went on to enjoy solo success, (Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin) and the group would reform in the late 90s. On this day in 1986: The Pet Shop Boys went to #1 on the U.S. singles chart with ‘West […]
This Day In 80s Music, May 9th
On this day in 1980: ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ by The Boomtown Rats won the best pop song and outstanding British lyric categories at the 25th Ivor Novello Awards. Boomtown Rats lead singer Bob Geldof was inspired to write the song after reading about the tragic shooting spree when 16-year-old Brenda Spencer killed two people […]
This Day In 80s Music, May 8th
On this day in 1982: Paul McCartney scored his fifth UK #1 album with ‘Tug Of War’. The album featured the duet with Stevie Wonder ‘Ebony & Ivory’, which was inspired by McCartney hearing comedian Spike Milligan say “black notes, white notes, and you need to play the two to make harmony, folks!”, (the ebony (black) […]
This Day In 80s Music, May 7th
On this day in 1983: Former Jam leader Paul Weller unveiled his new group, The Style Council at an anti-nuclear benefit gig in London. The Style Council scored seven UK Top 10 hits and the band was also very successful in Australia and New Zealand during the 1980s, with multiple hit singles and albums. On […]
This Day In 80s Music, May 6th
On this day in 1989: Madonna began her third and final week at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with ‘Like A Prayer.’ it would be ranked the #25 song of 1989 on Billboard’s year end chart. The song is the title track of Madonna’s fourth studio album ‘Like A Prayer.’ Madonna worked with Stephen […]
This Day In 80s Music, May 5th
On this day in 1984: Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr married Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde in a horse drawn carriage in Central Park, New York City. The couple divorced in 1990. Also on this day in 1984: Duran Duran were at #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘The Reflex’, the group’s second and last […]
This Day In 80s Music, May 4th
On this day in 1985: USA For Africa were beginning their fourth and final week at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “We Are The World. “It would go on to be ranked the 20th biggest hit of 1985 by Billboard Magazine on their 1985 year-end chart. Here’s a look at the Top 20 […]
This Day In 80s Music, May 3rd
On this day in 1980: Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band started a six week run at #1 on the U.S. album chart with ‘Against The Wind’. Also on this day in 1980: Blondie started their third of six weeks at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with ‘Call Me.’ On this day in […]
This Day In 80s Music, May 2nd
On this day in 1981: Sheena Easton started a two week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with ‘Morning Train (Nine To Five).’ “9 to 5” (or “Morning Train”) was written by British songwriter Florrie Palmer and recorded by Sheena Easton in 1980, becoming her biggest hit. It peaked at #3 in the United […]