Danny Devito had Johnny Carson and the audience in stitches talking about how he used to be a hairdresser and so much more. Enjoy this look back at Danny Devito on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson back in 1986!
Ten ’80s Rock Songs That Are Incredible Live in Concert
We’ve seen thousands of hours of live rock concert footage over the years, but ten performances from some of the greatest ’80s rock bands of all time stand out from all the rest. The setting is perfect. The venue is packed and the crowd is 100% into the song!
Enjoy this look at ten of the best live rock performances of all time from our favorite ’80s rockers! This list is in no particular order as all ten could be number one on our list.
#1 – AC/DC performing Hells Bells live at River Plate in December 2009. The energy from the crowd in this performance is off the charts, and Brian Johnson is in full control of the crowd!
#2 – Prince and The Revolution performing Purple Rain live in Syracuse, NY on March 30, 1985. If you want to know what it means to be a rock god, this is it. Over 16 minutes of brilliance from Prince!
#3 – U2 performing Sunday Bloody Sunday live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado in 1983. Before U2 were a household name, they performed one of the greatest live concerts you’ll ever see in 1983 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and their performance of Sunday Bloody Sunday has become one of the greatest live performances of all time!
#4 – Queen performing We Are The Champions at Live Aid in Wembley Stadium in July 1985. Queen stole the show at Live Aid. So much so, that Elton John reportedly rushed into Freddie Mercury’s trailer after the set and jokingly said, “You bastards, you stole the show!” Yes, yes they did Elton, and this performance of We Are The Champions demonstrated exactly that… Queen were the champions of the rock world on this day in 1985!
#5 – Metallica performing Master of Puppets live in Seattle in 1989. This was a brilliant performance going from James, Jason, and Kirk sitting on the steps of the stage quietly playing to one of the most intense, adrenaline-filled performances you’ll ever see!
#6 – Eddie Van Halen performing Eruption live during the 1983 US Festival. We’ve all seen so many videos of Eddie Van Halen playing Eruption, but one of the first and biggest live performances caught on film was at the 1983 US festival. Eddie was on fire, and this performance of Eruption will go down as one of the greatest guitar solos of all time!
#7 – Iron Maiden performing Run To The Hills live in Hungary, Budapest in 1984. When it comes to live shows, nobody does it like Iron Maiden, and the energy from the stage and the crowd was insane.
#8 – Guns N’ Roses performing Paradise City live at the Ritz in New York in 1988. It’s hard to beat Guns N’ Roses live, but to us, they were at their best in the late ’80s with the original lineup, and their historic concert at the Ritz in 1988 was epic!
#9 – Night Ranger performing Don’t Tell Me You Love Me live in 1985. The energy from the band and the crowd in this live performance from 1985 was off the charts! This performance is everything we loved about rock in the ’80s. Loud, energetic, passionate, and a lead singer who had the crowd in the palm of his hands. Perfect live performance!
#10 – Cinderella performing Nobody’s Fool live at the Moscow Music Peace Festival in 1989. Tom Keifer’s iconic voice was at it’s best live in concerts, and he and the band were in their prime when they performed at the Moscow Music Peace Festival in 1989!
Johnny Carson’s Cute Interview with 3-Year Old Zachary La Voy from 1989’s ‘Parenthood’
If you’re a fan of Johnny Carson, you’re going to love this one! This interview proves once again that Johnny Carson was the absolute best talk-show host of all time. In the interview, his guest is three-year old Zachary La Voy, who is one of the stars of 1989’s Parenthood that was directed by Ron Howard and also starred Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, Jason Robards, and Mary Steenburgen.
At one point, Zachary is looking at himself on the monitor in the studio, and Johnny asks him how he thinks he looks, and Zachary’s answer is priceless and cracked up Johnny, Ed, and the studio audience.
Enjoy this look back at little three-year old Zachary La Voy from Parenthood on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson!
AC/DC’s Brian Johnson with Metallica’s Lars Ulrich on Drums Perform ‘Back in Black’ During The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in Wembley Stadium on September 3, 2022
Last night, a tribute concert was held in Wembley Stadium in honor of the late Foo Fighters’ drummer, Taylor Hawkins. The star-studded concert featured appearances from Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson from Rush, Liam Gallagher from Oasis, and many more. Our favorite moment from the night was when AC/DC’s Brian Johnson took the stage with the Foo Fighters along with Metallica’s Lars Ulrich on drums to perform Back in Black. It was an epic performance!
Enjoy this look at Back in Black from the Taylor Hawkins Tribute concert from Wembley Stadium featuring Brian Johnson and Lars Ulrich!
Brian Johnson & FOO FIGHTERS
— Ante Todo Mucha Calma… (@el_fiaca) September 3, 2022
Black in Black
En vivo en el concierto tributo Taylor Hawkins 03/09/22 LONDON#TributeToTaylorHawkins@acdc @foofighters pic.twitter.com/KdQTVzmtMW
Dio – ‘The Last in Line’ Music Video from 1984
Ronnie James Dio was one of the most influential heavy metal artists of all time. Before he founded his band Dio, he was the first lead singer of Rainbow from 1975-1979, and he then joined Black Sabbath and was the lead singer from 1979-1982, 1991-1992, and again from 2006 -2010, which was the year he passed away.
In 1983 after leaving Black Sabbath for the first time, he founded the band Dio, which arguably is one of the most influential heavy metal bands of the ’80s. Dio’s first album, Holy Diver, is one of our favorites, and their second album, The Last In Line, released in 1984, produced their highest charting rock single when the title track, The Last In Line peaked at number ten on the Mainstream Rock charts.
Enjoy this look back at Dio’s music video for The Last In Line as well as a look back at their music video for their first single ever, Holy Diver!
Rocky IV – Apollo Creed vs. Ivan Drago’s Deadly Exhibition Match
I remember watching this scene in disbelief back in the ’80s. This was definitely one of the most surprising moments in all of the Rocky movies. Mickey dying was the other. Rocky IV was released in 1985 and was one of the highest grossing film in the Rocky franchise, grossing over $300 million worldwide. It was also the third highest grossing film of 1985 behind Back to the Future, and another Stallone flick, Rambo: First Blood Part II.
In this scene, Apollo Creed wants to go out on top with one more fight, so he persuades Rocky to let him do it. Unfortunately, Creed is no match for Drago, and he pays the ultimate price. During the fight, Creed makes Rocky promise he won’t throw in the towel, which ends up being the biggest mistake of his life.
Enjoy this look back at Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago’s exhibition match in Rocky IV from 1985!
Things We Did In The ’80s That Aren’t Socially Acceptable Today
Recently, we featured a list of ten things that only kids from the ’80s would remember, but today, we’re looking at things we all did in the ’80s that would either get you arrested today or are certainly frowned upon by today’s standards. I mean, if a kid leaves his house on his bike at 7 in the morning on a Saturday in the ’80s, we knew he was just going out to play with his friends and would certainly be back before dinner. Nowadays, that same kid would be plastered all over social media by 9am as missing and all hell would break loose trying to find him. That’s just one example of so many featured below.
Enjoy this look back at all the things we did in the ’80s that aren’t socially acceptable any more!
Video courtesy of Rhetty for History on YouTube
Ten Things That Only Kids From The ’80s Will Remember
1. We rode our bikes all over town all day long until the sun went down. No helmets. No knee and elbow pads. No fears.
2. Our parents dropped us off at the arcade with $5 and said, “Have fun, we’ll be back in a couple of hours.” When we ran out of money, we spent the remaining time until they came back sticking our fingers in the change slots on every game in the arcade and every pay phone in sight.
3. Texting our friends or boyfriend/girlfriend in the ’80s meant writing a note on a piece of notebook paper, and then folding it up into cool shapes and sizes before slipping it to our friends.
4. Research papers meant we had to do true research, which meant going to the library and finding every book or encyclopedia we could find about our research topic. Oh, and we either handwrote the report in cursive, or we typed it on an actual typewriter.
5. We spent hours making a mixed tape by listening to the radio with a tape recorder sitting next to the radio speaker. Record… pause… record… rewind… record…
6. We spent hours upon hours watching MTV waiting to see our favorite music video one more time. Oh, did we mention that MTV actually played music videos 24 hours a day!
7. When we got thirsty outside, we drank water out of the water hose.
8. We were constantly looking up at the skies because we were terrified that a nuclear attack could happen at any moment!
9. We actually called someone on a phone to ask them out. No cell phone. No text. We did it the old fashioned way. We called them. Their dad answered the phone. Our palms started sweating, and the few seconds it took for him to get them on the phone seemed like an eternity!
10. The mullet hairdo wasn’t a joke, it was actually the hairstyle of choice for men and women alike.
Brilliant Cowboy Poetry from Waddie Mitchell and Baxter Black on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1987
Back in 1987, Cowboy poets Waddie Mitchell and Baxter Black appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. This has to be one of my favorite clips from Johnny Carson. Waddie recites a poem about modern day cowboys, and Baxter Black recites a hilarious poem about how vegetables have feelings. He had the audience and Johnny in stitches. You’re gonna love this one!
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau Visit The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1981
On December 10, 1981, the great Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. This is one of our favorite things about the internet. We get to watch gems like this any time we want, which is so awesome. I think you’re going to really enjoy this one.
Enjoy this look back to when Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau appeared together on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1981!
Steve Winwood Performing ‘Higher Love’ and ‘Gimmie Some Lovin’ Live On Letterman in 1986
On August 13, 1986, Steve Winwood was the musical guest on Late Night with David Letterman, and he brought down the house with two massive hit songs, Higher Love and Gimmie Some Lovin’! Higher Love was a number one hit for Winwood on both the Hot 100 and the Mainstream Rock charts in 1986, and Gimmie Some Lovin’ was a top ten hit for The Spencer Davis Group in 1966 with Winwood on lead vocals.
Enjoy this look back at Steve Winwood performing Higher Love and Gimmie Some Lovin’ live on Late Night with David Letterman in 1986!
The One and Only Billy Idol is Back – ‘Cage’ Music Video
Who’s ready for a kickass song and video from Billy Idol? I know we are! Billy Idol just released a new song called Cage from his upcoming EP Cage that is scheduled for release on September 23, 2022. He also released a new music video for Cage that features Billy and his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens. If you loved Billy Idol in the ’80s, I think you’re gonna love this one.
Enjoy this look at Billy Idol’s new music video for Cage!
Chevy Chase Makes Fun of Siskel & Ebert on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1986
If you loved Chevy Chase doing the news on Saturday Night Live back in the day, you’re going to love this segment from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson back in 1986. Johnny is interviewing Siskel & Ebert, with Chevy Chase sitting to the left of Ebert, and Johnny asked the famous film critics which Chevy Chase movie they thought was his best. Once they start talking about Chase and his movies, Chevy starts making fun of Ebert while he’s talking about Chevy in the same way he used to do during the Saturday Night Live news clips. It’s hilarious!
Enjoy this look back at Chevy Chase making fun of Siskel & Ebert on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson back in 1986!
The Final Scene in Mannequin from 1987
Mannequin was released to theaters on February 13, 1987 and starred Andrew McCarthy, Kim Cattrall, G.W. Bailey, and Estelle Getty, who was also known as Sophia from The Golden Girls. While the film received mostly negative reviews from critics, it was a moderate success at the box office taking in over $42 million on a budget of $7.9 million. It’s also known for Starship’s Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now, which was included on the movie soundtrack, and received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
The movie is typical of ’80s romantic comedies, and to us, was exactly what it was supposed to be. A silly, funny, and quirky romantic comedy from the ’80s, something we sorely miss these days.
Enjoy this look back at the final scene from 1987’s Mannequin!
David Letterman Remembers Robin Williams
On August 18, 2014, David Letterman paid tribute to his friend of Robin Williams, whom he had known for 38 years. Dave tells the story about the first time he saw Robin Williams onstage at The Comedy Store, and Robin was introduced as being from Scotland. Dave goes on to tell more stories about Robin, and they put together a montage of clips from Robin’s appearances on the show over the years.
It’s a very touching tribute to Robin, and you could tell how much he meant to Dave by the way he ended the segment. RIP in Robin. You are truly missed by so many people…
Enjoy this look back at when David Letterman paid tribute to the late Robin Williams just a week after he left us way too soon…
L.A. Guns Have Remastered Their Music Video for ‘Never Enough’ from 1989 and It’s Awesome
L.A. Guns released their self-titled debut album on January 4, 1988. That album is still one of my favorite ’80s rock albums. Sex Action, One More Reason, and Electric Gypsy were awesome tracks from that album. On August 22, 1989, they released their second studio album, Cocked & Loaded, which peaked at number 38 on the Billboard 200 album list. Two songs from this album, The Ballad of Jayne and Never Enough, are on our list of great songs from the late ’80s.
In June 2022, L.A. Guns released a remastered version of their music video for Never Enough, and it’s fantastic. Enjoy this look at their music video for Never Enough as well as their music video for The Ballad of Jayne, one of the best rock ballads of the decade!
Tommy Lee Gives Sammy Hagar a Tour of his Incredible House
During an episode of Sammy Hagar’s Rock n’ Roll Road Trip that aired on August 2, 2022, Sammy visited Tommy Lee’s incredible house, and Tommy gave Sammy a tour of his home. During the visit, Sammy and Tommy discussed Tommy’s favorite drummer, favorite venue to play in, and ultimately, Tommy, Sammy, and Michael Anthony jammed out in Tommy’s in-house studio. This is a really, really cool episode, and I think you’re gonna love it!
Robin Williams on Late Night with David Letterman Talking About ‘Dead Poets Society’ in 1989
In 1989, the late Robin Williams appeared on Late Night with David Letterman to talk about his new movie Dead Poets Society. Dave, who knew exactly what to expect when having Robin on the show, started out the interview by saying, “Ahh, I want to do something right away, and then you can do whatever the hell you want to do.” Smart move by Letterman! Johnny Carson used to say that when Robin Williams came on as a guest, he didn’t have anything planned. He just sat back and let him go wherever he wanted to go. Letterman pretty much did the same during the numerous appearances Williams made on the show.
However, Dave had a plan for the beginning of this interview, but it didn’t exactly go as planned. Enjoy this look back at when Robin Williams appeared on Late Night with David Letterman to talk about his new movie Dead Poets Society in 1989!
Fletch – Hug a Cop Scene
Fletch is one of those movies I can watch over and over and over again. There are so many great scenes in the movie, and one of my favorite scenes is when Fletch crashes Fred “The Dorf” Dorfman’s party and proceeds to talk about Fred’s battle with syphilis, his wife, Marge’s time at Trembling Hills getting over her alcohol and sedatives addictions, and how everyone in the crowd needs to reach out and hug a cop. Within this scene, there are so many minute details that make it so great. One of our favorite moments from the scene is when Fletch jumps up on stage and yanks the microphone away from “Sammie” and says, “Sammie, you’re not gonna sing for us, are you?” Even though Sammie has no idea who Fletch is, he instinctively smiles and shakes his head no. Too funny!
Enjoy this look back at the “Hug a Cop” scene from Fletch from 1985!
David Foster and Olivia Newton-John – ‘The Best Of Me’ Music Video from 1986
In 1986, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster teamed up and recorded a duet version of Foster’s 1983 song The Best of Me. The song was the title-track of Foster’s debut solo album back in 1983. Foster is one of the most successful composers of hit songs from the entire decade of the ’80s. He was either the composer or producer for numerous top ’80s hits like Chicago’s Hard to Say I’m Sorry, You’re the Inspiration, and Hard Habit to Break as well as Peter Cetera’s Glory of Love.
Foster and Newton-John’s version of The Best of Me was a top ten hit on the AC charts, peaking at number six in 1986. In 1989, legendary singer/songwriter Cliff Richard chose The Best of Me as his 100th single. With the release, Richard became the first British artist to achieve that feat.
Enjoy this look back at Olivia Newton-John and David Foster’s music video for The Best of Me from 1986, Cliff Richards’ music video for the same song from 1989, and David Foster’s original music video from 1983!
Just for fun, enjoy the music video for some of the aforementioned songs that Foster composed and/or produced for both Chicago and Peter Cetera!
Julia Roberts, a Bubble-Eating Dog Named Charlie and Daryl Hannah Visit Late Night with David Letterman in 1989
In 1989, a 22-year old Julia Roberts was a guest on Late Night with David Letterman. She was on the show to talk about her recent film Mystic Pizza as well as the upcoming iconic film Steel Magnolias, which also starred Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and her friend Daryl Hannah.
The guest before Julia came out was Charlie, the bubble-eating dog, but Charlie was much more interested in Julia and the stuffed pig she had with her to show Dave. It’s really funny to watch Charlie jumping all over Julia backstage and when she comes out to meet Dave. It’s also an interesting interview as Julia was still an up-and-coming actress who was about a year away from her life changing completely after Pretty Woman was released.
Halfway through the interview, Julia mentions that her friend Daryl is hiding backstage, which surprised Dave who then asks her to come out as well. A shy Daryl Hannah comes out and sits down beside Julia, and they proceed to talk about Steel Magnolias.
Enjoy this look back at Julia Roberts, Charlie the bubble-eating dog, and Daryl Hannah on Late Night with David Letterman back in 1989!
Def Leppard Performing ‘Rock of Ages’ and ‘Photograph’ live at the Whiskey A Go-Go – 2022
The stadium tour that Def Leppard is co-headlining with Motley Crue this summer is awesome, but there’s something to be said about seeing an iconic ’80s rock band like Def Leppard playing live at the famous Whiskey a Go Go in LA. This had to be such a cool experience for the lucky fans in the audience. With a simple banner in the background, enjoy this look at Def Leppard performing two of their all time greatest hits, Rock of Ages and Photograph live at the Whiskey a Go Go earlier this summer!
The Audience Wasn’t Sure What To Make of Robin Williams on Late Night with David Letterman in 1983
In 1983, Robin Williams was known for his role as Mork in Mork & Mindy, as Popeye from his 1980 movie Popeye, and as the leading character in The World According to Garp in 1982. He was still doing standup comedy on a regular basis, but he hadn’t appeared on that many talk shows at the time. That’s why this appearance in 1983 on Late Night with David Letterman was so special. While the audience wasn’t quite sure how to take Robin’s constant impressions, jokes, and sarcasm, you could tell that Dave truly appreciated his humor by the way he laughed wholeheartedly at so many of Robin’s stories.
Enjoy this look back at Robin Williams on Late Night With David Letterman back in 1983!
Rocky IV – ‘Heart’s On Fire’ Music Video
Once Rocky made up his mind, Drago didn’t have a chance! In this scene from Rocky IV set to the music of John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band’s Heart’s On Fire, Rocky trains the old-fashioned way while Drago trains in a high-tech gym with the aid of steroids. We all knew how this one was going to end, and Rocky didn’t disappoint!
Enjoy this look back at the Heart’s on Fire scene from Rocky IV, and for good measure, enjoy Rocky taking down Drago in the finale!
Prince and The Revolution Performing ‘Purple Rain’ live in Syracuse, NY on March 30, 1985 is 16 Minutes of ’80s Music Heaven
On March 30, 1985, Prince and The Revolution’s concert at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY was broadcast all over the planet in the first global telecast of its kind. Prince was in in peak form when he and the band hit the stage in Syracuse, and the concert is considered by many as the greatest concert of Prince and The Revolution’s career, and one of the greatest concerts of all time.
From singing, dancing, playing the piano, and playing the guitar, Prince was on fire, and all of his talents culminated in 16 minutes of musical heaven when he performed Purple Rain. Enjoy this look back at Prince and The Revolution performing Purple Rain live in Syracuse, NY in 1985!
Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ is as good today as it was 37 years ago
Kate Bush’s 1985 iconic single Running Up That Hill experienced a resurgence in popularity this year when it was featured in an episode of Netflix’s Stranger Things. The song peaked at number 30 on the Hot 100 chart in 1985, and until this year, it was her only song to chart in the top 40 on the Hot 100 despite countless top ten hits in the UK over the years.
However, after the song was included in Stranger Things in 2022, it was re-released as a single under the title Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God), and it went all the way to number three on the Hot 100 chart in the US, and number one in the UK for three consecutive weeks. In 2021, it was listed at number 60 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Enjoy this look back at Kate Bush’s music video for Running Up That Hill from 1985 as well as the moment the song saved Max’s life in Stranger Things Season Four. (Spoiler alert, if you haven’t seen season four yet, you probably don’t want to watch the second video.)
Van Halen’s Original Music Video for ‘Dreams’ Featuring the Blue Angels from 1986
As a kid in the late ’70s and early ’80s, one of my favorite things to do with my dad was go to an air show. I remember the first time I saw the Blue Angels live. It was an incredible event that I’ll never forget. That’s why Van Halen’s music video for Dreams featuring the Blue Angels was so special to me.
Enjoy this look back at Van Halen’s music video for Dreams featuring the Blue Angels from 1986!
Billy Idol – ‘Eyes Without A Face’ Music Video from 1984
Eyes Without A Face was the second single released from Billy Idol’s 1984 Rebel Yell album. At the time, it was his highest charting single, peaking at number four on the Hot 100 chart and number five on the Mainstream Rock chart. It remained his highest charting single on the Hot 100 chart until he hit number one in 1987 with his live version of Mony Mony. He also scored a number two hit on the Hot 100 chart in 1990 with Cradle of Love.
Reportedly, the music video for Eyes Without A Face was filmed in a marathon 30-hour session, and it was nominated for both the Best Editing and Best Cinematography awards at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Enjoy this look back at Billy Idol’s music video for Eyes Without A Face from 1984!
For nostalgia’s sake, enjoy this look back at the aforementioned number one and number two hits on the Hot 100 chart for Billy Idol, Mony Mony and Cradle of Love!
Adorable Little Joey Lawrence Visits The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1982
At the age of five, Joey Lawrence appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He did an adorable song and dance routine to Give My Regards to Broadway, and then sat down with Johnny and chatted away. It’s amazing how poised he was at only five years old. His song and dance routine is adorable, and the interview is very entertaining. I think you’re going to enjoy watching this one.
Enjoy this look back at adorable little Joey Lawrence singing and dancing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson at only five years old in 1982!
Robin Williams and Billy Crystal’s Opening Sketch During Comic Relief 1987
1987 was the second year for Comic Relief in the United States. It was based on the Comic Relief charity in the UK and was dedicated to the memory of comedian Andy Kaufman. The charity’s goal is the raise money for America’s homeless.
In 1987, comedy legends Robin Williams and Billy Crystal opened the show as a couple of homeless “Black Monday” stock-market crash guys who talk about how they ended up on the streets, and they end the sketch with a hilarious parody of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
Enjoy this look back at Robin Williams and Billy Crystal opening up Comic Relief ’87!