In 1985, Night Ranger released their third studio album titled 7 Wishes. The album featured three top 20 hits on the Hot 100 charts. The first single Sentimental Street peaked at number eight on the Hot 100 charts and number three on the Mainstream Rock charts. The second and third singles, Four in the Morning (I Can’t Take Any More) and Goodbye peaked at numbers 19 and 17 respectively on the Hot 100 charts.
Enjoy this look back at Night Ranger’s music video for Sentimental Street as well as a vintage live performance from 1985!
On August 10, 1988, Tom Cruise made his first appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. Cruise was on the show promoting his new movie Cocktail, but the majority of the conversation stemmed around Cruise’s car racing career. He talked about his racing career, his friendship with Paul Newman, and making drinks in Cocktail.
Enjoy this look back at the first time Tom Cruise appeared on Late Night with David Letterman.
Twilight Zone was the Dutch band Golden Earring’s biggest hit in the United States. In 1982, Twilight Zone topped the Mainstream Rock charts and was also a top ten hit on the Hot 100 charts, peaking at number ten. It also came in at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end charts for 1983.
The song was written by the band’s guitarist George Kooymans who got the inspiration for the song after reading The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum.
In 1973, Golden Earring scored their first big hit in the United States when Radar Love peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100 charts. ’80s rockers White Lion covered Radar Love in 1989.
Enjoy this look back at the music video for Twilight Zone as well as a live performance from 1984, and just for fun, a live performance of Radar Love from 1973 as well as White Lion’s version.
In 1981, Canadian rockers Triumph scored their first top ten hit on the Rock charts when Magic Power peaked at number eight on the Mainstream Rock charts. Magic Power is also their highest charting single in their native Canada where it peaked at number 14 on the Canadian charts.
Their highest charting single in the U.S. was All The Way from their 1983 album Never Surrender. It peaked at number two on the Mainstream Rock charts.
Enjoy this look back at Triumph’s music video for Magic Power!
Queensryche released their third studio album, Operation: Mindcrime on May 3, 1988. They released four singles from the album. The second single released in 1988 was Eyes of a Stranger, which became their first top 40 hit on the Mainstream Rock charts when it peaked at number 35. Two years later, they would score the biggest hit of their career when Silent Lucidity hit number one on the Mainstream Rock charts and number nine on the Hot 100 charts.
Enjoy this look back at Queensryche’s music video for Eyes of a Stranger, and just for fun, their music video for Silent Lucidity as well!
One of our favorite movies from the ’80s was Fletch. Fletch starred Chevy Chase as L.A Times reporter Irwin M. “Fletch” Fletcher, and the movie featured so many great one-liners. A few of our favorites are, “Using the whole fist, Doc?”, “Can I borrow your towel? My car just hit a water buffalo.”, and “I would have been here sooner, but a manure-spreader jackknifed on the Santa Ana. You should see my shoes.”
Enjoy this look back at all the best scenes from Fletch!
BIG STAR-X is back with another awesome edition of then and now photos of Legendary ’80s Music Stars Then and Now! Enjoy this edition featuring then and now photos of some of the biggest music stars from the ’80s:
As you know, we are huge fans of Van Halen and miss Eddie Van Halen more than you’ll ever know. While looking for more Van Halen to share on the site, we came across Eddie’s son Wolfgang’s new music video for Don’t Back Down. Wolfgang started the band Mammoth WVH as a solo-project while he was still in Van Halen back in 2020. In 2020, he released the first single from the self-titled album called Distance, and it went to number one on the Mainstream Rock charts. The second single, Don’t Back Down, also hit number one on the Mainstream Rock charts.
The coolest part of all the songs on the album is Wolfgang played all the instruments on the album. It truly was a solo project.
In June 2021, Wolfgang described the debut album as “personal” and “therapeutic”, while acknowledging influence taken from his father’s career. In developing the overall sound and style for the project, Wolfgang stated that while “I’ll always be there to champion my father and his legacy…I definitely made a choice to not sound directly like Van Halen…I think that would be boring if I was a carbon copy of my dad.”
Regarding Distance, Wolfgang said, “As my pop continued to struggle with various health issues, I was imagining what my life would be like without him and how terribly I’d miss him. While the song is incredibly personal, I think anyone can relate to the idea of having a profound loss in their life. I never intended ‘Distance’ to be the very first piece of music people would hear from me, but I also thought my father would be here to celebrate its release. This is for him. I love and miss you, Pop.” – WVH via YouTube
If you haven’t seen it yet, we thought you’d all enjoy this look at Wolfgang Van Halen’s music videos for both Distance and Don’t Back Down! The Distance music video is so emotional to watch with the home video footage of Wolfgang and Eddie together, and the voice mail at the end of the song from Eddie to Wolfgang will leave you in tears…
The Hooters released a live version of All You Zombies as a single in 1982, and later recorded an extended studio version in 1985. The live version was included on their 1982 debut album Amore, and the extended version was included on their 1985 Nervous Night album. The ’85 version was a top 20 hit on the Mainstream Rock charts, peaking at number 11.
In addition to All You Zombies, Nervous Night also featured two of The Hooters’ biggest hits, And We Danced and Day By Day as well as another fan favorite, Where Do The Children Go.
Enjoy this look back at The Hooters’ music video for All You Zombies as well as the videos for And We Danced, Day By Day, and Where Do The Children Go!
On January 28, 1982, Drew Barrymore made her first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. She was there to talk about her new movie, E.T., and in adorable fashion, she talked to Johnny about her dentist, her mom constantly on the phone, and she even sings a song to Johnny about his face.
If you’ve got a few minutes, you’ll love this look back at seven-year-old Drew Barrymore on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
In 1985, Johnny Carson was introducing a new sponsor for the first time on the show, and he couldn’t stop laughing when trying to introduce the product. In reality, Mrs. Paul’s probably got more exposure during this blooper than they ever got during a regular promotion.
Enjoy this look back at a hilarious blooper from the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson!
In 1982, Hulk Hogan was a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and the conversation turned to Hulk Hogan’s body measurements. Johnny was fascinated with the size of his arms and chest, and hilariously said, “I’m looking at the size of your arms… I wish I had anything that big!” To which, the Hulkster says, “How about your bank account?”. A pretty witty comment from the Hulkster.
Enjoy this look back at Hulk Hogan on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on June 15, 1982!
Photo via AC/DC’s music video for ‘Through The Mists of Time’
AC/DC released their 17th studio album called Power Up in November 2020. If you loved AC/DC in the ’80s, you are going to love this album, and in particular, this song and video for Through The Mists of Time. The song is awesome, but the music video is incredible! The video showcases photos of both current and former members of the band, and for those of us who have been fans of the band since the ’70s, it’s an emotional ride.
The lyrics were written by lead guitarist Angus Young, and lead singer Brian Johnson told The Independent that he still sees Malcolm in his mind every time his song is played.
“Whenever I hear it, I still get goose bumps,” he said. “I still think of him. I was thinking of him when I sang it. It’s just these things about the happy days when we first started in the ’80s, when I first joined the band. I just remember these very happy, carefree days. And Angus did a magnificent job of putting those lyrics together. I think he really felt it, too, because him and Malcolm were inseparable.”
In 1988, country rocker Steve Earle released his third studio album Copperhead Road in 1988. The lead single, Copperhead Road became his first top ten song on the Mainstream Rock charts peaking at number ten in 1988. He followed it up with another top 20 hit on the Rock charts with Back to the Wall, which peaked at number 20.
Enjoy this look back at Steve Earle’s music video for Copperhead Road from 1988!
I Can’t Drive 55 is one of Sammy Hagar’s most memorable solo hits. It was the second single released from his 1984 VOA album, and it was his third top 40 single on the Hot 100 charts when it peaked at number 26. It was also his fifth top 10 hit on the Mainstream Rock charts, peaking at number nine in ’84.
Enjoy this look back at Sammy’s music video for I Can’t Drive 55 from 1984!
In 1984, Kiss scored their first top 15 hit on the Mainstream Rock charts when Heaven’s On Fire peaked at number 11. Heaven’s On Fire was the first single released from their 12th studio album Animalize.
Enjoy this look back at Kiss’ music video for Heaven’s On Fire from 1984!
In addition to music videos, one of our other favorite things about MTV back in the day was MTV Cribs, where our favorite singers took us into their homes and showed us around. In this episode, one of our favorite lead singers from the ’80s, Motley Crue’s Vince Neil, takes us inside his home during an episode of MTV Cribs from the mid-2000’s.
Enjoy this look inside Vince Neil’s home on MTV Cribs!
One of our favorite shows to watch as a kid was Three’s Company. We loved Jack, Chrissy, Janet, Larry, the Ropers, Mr. Furley, and in the ’80s Terri. Three’s Company aired from 1977 – 1984, and you can catch reruns today on Logo TV, Pluto TV or Sling TV.
Enjoy this look back at the cast of Three’s Company on the original Family Feud!
In 1987, comedian Buddy Hackett was on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and he has the audience as well as Johnny and Ed rolling with laughter. His duck joke is one-of-a-kind! Enjoy this look back at Buddy Hackett on with Johnny Carson in ’87!
On January 28, 1984, Don Rickles appeared on Saturday Night Live, and in typical Rickles fashion, he insulted everybody, and it was freaking hilarious. Enjoy this look back at Don Rickles insulting everybody on Saturday Night Live!
Joan Rivers was on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1986, and she and Johnny reminisced about their early careers, and Rivers told some of the funniest jokes you’ll ever hear. She had the audience and Johnny rolling with laughter with lines like, “No man ever put his hand up a woman’s dress looking for a library card.” and “I went to buy sexy underwear and they gift wrapped it.”.
Enjoy this look back at Joan Rivers on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson!
Iron Man was written and released on Black Sabbath’s 1970 album Paranoid. The song tells the story of a man who time travels into the future and sees the apocalypse. In the process of returning to the present he is turned into steel by a magnetic field, and his attempts to warn the public are ignored and mocked. Feeling shunned and alone, Iron Man plans his revenge on mankind, causing the apocalypse seen in his vision.
In 2007, VH1 ranked Iron Man as the Greatest Heavy Metal Song of All Time! Enjoy this look back at Ozzy Osbourne performing Iron Man live during the US Festival that took place over Memorial Day weekend in 1983. The four-day festival featured a New Wave Day, Heavy Metal Day, Rock Day, and Country Day.
Ozzy performed on Sunday, May 29th, the Heavy Metal Day along with Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Triumph, Scorpions, and Van Halen. That would have been one helluva lineup to see in one day!
One Vision was the first single released from Queen’s 1986 album, A Kind of Magic. It was a top ten hit in the UK, peaking at number seven in 1985. The song was inspired by the life and exploits of Martin Luther King Jr. In the U.S. the song was a minor hit on the Hot 100 charts peaking at number 61, but it gained popularity when it was included on the Iron Eagle movie soundtrack in 1986.
Enjoy this look behind-the-scenes with Queen and the making of One Vision!
In 1982, Marvin Gaye released his 17th and final studio album called Midnight Love. The album became his most successful album of his career due to the tremendous success of the first single Sexual Healing, which peaked at number three on the Hot 100 charts, and hit number one on the R&B charts. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked Sexual Healing as number 198 on it’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Sadly, Gaye was killed two years later by his father, Marvin Gaye Sr. when he intervened in a fight between his parents on April 1, 1984. Gaye’s father shot him twice, once in the chest, and once in his shoulder. Marvin Gaye was only 44 years old.
Enjoy this look back at Marvin Gaye’s music video for his hit song Sexual Healing from 1982!
If you were a fan of MTV’s Headbangers Ball, you’ll remember All We Are from the German heavy metal band Warlock led by Doro Pesch. The music video received a lot of rotation on Headbangers Ball and the song received a decent amount of airplay on metal stations in the U.S. It’s one of their most remembered songs, and Pesch stills plays the song regularly during her concerts today.
Enjoy this look back at Warlock’s music video for All We Are from 1987!
In 1987, LL Cool J scored his first number one song when I Need Love topped the Billboard Dance charts. It was also his first top 20 hit on the Hot 100 charts when it peaked at number 14 in ’87. I Need Love was the second single released from his second studio album Bigger and Deffer. The first single, I’m Bad, was a hit on the Dance charts as well, peaking at number four in ’87.
Enjoy this look back at LL Cool J’s music video for I Need Love as well as a look at his video for I’m Bad as well!
During the ’80s, Eddie Murphy’s two stand-up comedy films, Delirious and Raw, are the funniest stand-up comedy routines we’ve ever seen. During both films, Murphy showed off his incredible impressions of celebrities like Elvis, James Brown, Mr. T, Stevie Wonder, Bill Cosby, and more.
Enjoy this look back at the best of Eddie Murphy’s funniest impressions!
Commando was a 1985 action movie that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as retired U.S. Special Forces Colonel John Matrix who lives with daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) in isolation, but his privacy is disturbed by former commander Franklin Kirby (James Olson), who warns him that his fellow soldiers are getting killed one by one. After Kirby leaves, Jenny is kidnapped by former Latin American dictator Arius (Dan Hedaya), who wants Matrix to restore him to power. Instead, Matrix sets out to take down the rogue leader and rescue his daughter.
Commando was a success at the box office grossing over $57 million with a budget of only $9 million. The movie starred:
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Colonel John Matrix
Rae Dawn Chong as Cindy
Alyssa Milano as Jenny Matrix
Dan Hedaya as President Arius
Vernon Wells as Captain Bennett
James Olson as Major General Franklin Kirby
David Patrick Kelly as Sully
Bill Duke as Cooke
Drew Snyder as Lawson
Michael Delano as Forrestal
Charles Meshack as Henriques
Carlos Cervantes as Diaz
Chelsea Field as Brunette Stewardess
Bill Paxton as Intercept Officer
Enjoy this look at what the cast of Commando looked like then, and what they look like now in 2021 from YouTube’s BIG STAR-X channel!
On January 4, 1989, legendary actor Jimmy Stewart appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. During the interview, Stewart was delightfully funny discussing playing the accordion, his funny New Year’s resolutions, learning to fly airplanes, and his daughter’s work with mountain gorillas. Jimmy Stewart was such a sweet man.
Enjoy this look back at Jimmy Stewart on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1989!
Check out more interviews from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the ’80s:
On July 13, 1985, Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne at the helm performed during Live Aid 1985, a benefit concert that raised funds for the Ethiopian famine disaster. The event was seen by over 100,000 people in John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, PA, and according to the Live Aid channel on YouTube, it was seen by over 40% of the global population via satellite link-ups.
Enjoy this look back at Ozzy and Black Sabbath performing one of their biggest hits, Paranoid, live at Live Aid 1985!
