Charlie's 80s Blog

This Day In 80s Music, December 4th

On this day in 1980: Prince played the first night on his 31 date Dirty Mind North American tour at Shea’s in Buffalo, New York. After being told by his managers he couldn’t wear spandex pants without any underwear, Prince began performing in a long trench coat, black high heeled boots and leggings, and bikini brief trunks.

On this day in 1982: The Jam were at #1 on the U.K. singles chart with ‘Beat Surrender’, the group’s fourth U.K. #1, and final single. They split in 1983, and leader Paul Weller formed the Style Council.

On the U.S. singles chart on this day back in 1982, Lionel Richie was starting his second week at #1 with ‘Truly.’

Here’s the complete Top 20 on the U.S. singles chart from this day back in 1982:

1 1 TRULY –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-9 (2 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 GLORIA –•– Laura Branigan (Atlantic)-22 (2)
3 6 MICKEY –•– Toni Basil (Chrysalis)-14 (3)
4 7 MANEATER –•– Daryl Hall and John Oates (RCA)-8 (4)
5 5 HEARTLIGHT –•– Neil Diamond (Columbia)-13 (5)
6 4 UP WHERE WE BELONG –Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes (Island)-16 (1)
7 8 STEPPIN’ OUT –•– Joe Jackson (A&M)-16 (7)
8 9 THE GIRL IS MINE –•– Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney (Epic)-5 (8)
9 11 DIRTY LAUNDRY –•– Don Henley (Asylum)-6 (9)
10 10 MUSCLES –•– Diana Ross (RCA)-10 (10)

11 12 ROCK THIS TOWN –•– The Stray Cats (EMI-America)-12 (11)
12 13 SEXUAL HEALING –•– Marvin Gaye (Columbia)-6 (12)
13 14 IT’S RAINING AGAIN –•– Supertramp (A&M)-6 (13)
14 16 SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT –•– Pat Benatar (Chrysalis)-8 (14)
15 15 NOBODY –•– Sylvia (RCA)-15 (15)
16 3 HEART ATTACK –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-14 (3)
17 19 HEARTBREAKER –•– Dionne Warwick (Arista)-9 (17)
18 18 SOUTHERN CROSS –•– Crosby, Stills and Nash (Atlantic)-12 (18)
19 31 DOWN UNDER –•– Men At Work (Columbia)-5 (19)
20 20 PRESSURE –•– Billy Joel (Columbia)-11 (20)

On this day in 1988: Roy Orbison played his final ever gig when he appeared in Cleveland, Ohio. Orbison died of a heart attack two days later.

signature

Top