50 Fun Facts About 1981

Which Lloyd Webber musical, set to poems Eliot wrote for his godchildren, opened in the West End in May?

Cats premiered at the New London Theatre on 11 May 1981, setting verse from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats to music. A poem Eliot had cut as 'too sad for children', about Grizabella, gave Lloyd Webber the idea for a full show.

Which reggae star died in Miami on 11 May, aged 36, having refused to have a cancerous toe amputated?

Bob Marley was diagnosed in 1977 with a melanoma under a toenail and declined amputation, citing his religious beliefs. A flight home from Germany was diverted to Miami, where the cancer had spread to his lungs and brain.

Who took over the CBS Evening News the Monday after Walter Cronkite's final sign-off on 6 March?

Dan Rather succeeded Cronkite, whose trademark close 'And that's the way it is' was followed each night by the date. The last one ran: 'And that's the way it is: Friday, March 6, 1981.'

Which country, a democracy again only since 1974, became the tenth member of the European Communities?

Greece joined what is now the European Union as its tenth member in 1981, seven years after military rule collapsed. Andreas Papandreou came to power the same year with an ambitious programme of social reforms.

Which probe, launched in 1977, flew closest to Saturn on 26 August, then went on to Uranus and Neptune?

Voyager 2 passed Saturn at 03:24 UT on 26 August 1981, riding a rare alignment of the outer planets that let one probe tour all four giants by gravity assist. Its closest approach to Uranus came on 24 January 1986.

Which syndicated show, launched on 14 September, is TV's longest-running showbiz news programme?

Entertainment Tonight premiered on September 14, 1981, in a local-newscast style covering the latest film, music and television releases, and holds the Guinness World Record as the longest-running entertainment news program.

Which singer, born in Houston on 4 September, later rose to fame as lead singer of Destiny's Child?

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born on September 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas, and at nine enrolled at Parker Elementary, a music magnet school, where she sang in the choir. Destiny's Child became one of the best-selling girl groups in history.

Which tennis great, born in Basel on 8 August, was a ball boy at the Swiss Indoors in 1992 and 1993?

Roger Federer even received a medal after the 1993 final, with the other ball boys, from the champion Michael Stich. His mother had enrolled him at eight in the junior programme of the Old Boys Tennis Club in Basel.

Which player, born in Saginaw, Michigan, on 26 September, went on to win 23 major singles titles?

Serena Williams was born to Oracene Price and Richard Williams, and her 23 majors are the most of the Open Era. She also won 14 major women's doubles titles, all with her sister Venus.

Which Salman Rushdie novel about India's passage from colonial rule to partition won the Booker Prize?

Midnight's Children, Rushdie's second novel, was published by Jonathan Cape and sold over a million copies in the UK alone. It was later named the 'Booker of Bookers' in 1993 and the Best of the Booker in 2008.

Which machine, advertised as the only computer that fit under an airline seat, was the first successful portable?

The Osborne 1, released on April 3, 1981, weighed 24.5 lb, cost $1,795 and ran CP/M, with a tiny five-inch screen; its bundled software alone was worth about $1,500. It was soon overtaken by the similar Kaypro II.

Which instrument, built at IBM Zurich by Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer, earned them the 1986 Physics Nobel?

The scanning tunneling microscope was developed in 1981, and the first one built by Binnig and Rohrer used magnetic levitation to keep it free from vibrations. Mechanical or gas springs usually do that job today.

Which all-rookie crew flew STS-2 in November, the first time a crewed orbital vehicle had returned to space?

Joe Engle and Richard Truly were the first all-rookie crew since Skylab 4, although Engle had already earned astronaut wings flying the X-15 above 80 km. Engle had been bumped from Apollo 17 in favour of geologist Harrison Schmitt.

Which race, first run on 29 March, saw Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen cross the line holding hands?

The London Marathon's inaugural men's race was shared in 2:11:48 by the American Beardsley and the Norwegian Simonsen, while Britain's Joyce Smith won the women's race. Some 6,255 of about 7,055 starters finished.

Which horse, back from a career-threatening injury, won the Grand National under cancer survivor Bob Champion?

Aldaniti and Bob Champion won on 4 April 1981, a story filmed as Champions in 1983 with John Hurt and the horse playing himself. The pair ran again in 1982 and fell at the first fence.

Which crossing near Hull, opened to traffic on 24 June, was the world's longest of its type for 17 years?

The Humber Bridge, with a 1,410-metre centre span, held the record until Japan's Akashi Kaikyō Bridge opened in 1998. It cost £91 million and was opened officially by the Queen on 17 July with a Red Arrows fly-past.

Which Australia captain told his brother Trevor to bowl the last ball underarm against New Zealand?

Greg Chappell wanted to stop number-ten batsman Brian McKechnie hitting the six New Zealand needed to tie the World Series Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Trevor rolled the ball along the pitch, in the style of bowls.

Whose 8 for 43 at Headingley bowled Australia out for 111 after Ian Botham's 149 not out?

Bob Willis bowled down the slope after captain Mike Brearley switched his end, and England became only the second Test side ever to win after following on. Botham had shared stands of 117, 67 and 37 with the last three batsmen.

Which biochemist, namesake of the cell's citric acid cycle, died in Oxford on 22 November aged 81?

Hans Krebs, a German-British biochemist, had spent 13 years at the University of Oxford from 1954 until his retirement in 1967. He also discovered the urea cycle and, with Hans Kornberg, the glyoxylate cycle.

Which ex-heavyweight champion, the Brown Bomber, died near Las Vegas hours after watching a title fight?

Joe Louis died of cardiac arrest on April 12, 1981, after his last public appearance at a heavyweight championship bout; in later years an old Army friend had given him a job greeting tourists at Caesars Palace.

Which country, renamed from British Honduras in 1973, became independent from the UK on 21 September?

Belize was led by George Cadle Price, the pro-independence head of the People's United Party, who was effective head of government from 1961 and held the post under various titles until 1984. Britain had named the colony in 1862.

What did Labour's 'Gang of Four' launch on 26 March, two months after issuing the Limehouse Declaration?

The Social Democratic Party was founded by Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams, centrists who had quit Labour over the influence of Militant and the hard left. Jenkins had been President of the European Commission.

Which physician became Norway's first female prime minister on 4 February, serving until October?

Gro Harlem Brundtland left office on 14 October 1981 but returned as prime minister in 1986, serving three terms in all, and later ran the World Health Organization, which under her made quitting smoking a condition of employment.

Which BBC sitcom, first shown on 8 September, follows Peckham trader Del Boy and his half-brother Rodney?

Only Fools and Horses was created by John Sullivan, then known for Citizen Smith, and ran for 64 episodes until Christmas Day 2003. David Jason's Derek Trotter lived in Nelson Mandela House, a Peckham tower block.

Which 11-part Granada serial, shot at Castle Howard with Jeremy Irons, premiered on ITV on 12 October?

Brideshead Revisited, adapted from Evelyn Waugh's novel, used Castle Howard's grounds and public rooms as the Flyte family's Baroque mansion. Irons took the part on condition he could leave to film The French Lieutenant's Woman if cast.

Which BBC children's series, first screened in 1981, is set in Greendale and features a black-and-white cat called Jess?

Postman Pat's first 13-episode series was screened on BBC One in 1981, with a theme tune by Bryan Daly, and Greendale was inspired by the real valley of Longsleddale near Kendal. His full name is Patrick Clifton.

Which group won Eurovision in Dublin with 'Making Your Mind Up' and a skirt-ripping dance routine?

Bucks Fizz won the 26th contest at the RDS Simmonscourt on 4 April with a song by Andy Hill and John Danter, and the ripped skirts revealed mini-skirts underneath. Member Cheryl Baker had already competed in 1978 with Co-Co.

Who first swept all four general-field Grammys in one night, with 'Sailing' named Record of the Year?

Christopher Cross took Record, Album and Song of the Year plus Best New Artist at Radio City Music Hall on 25 February 1981, his debut album produced by Michael Omartian. He then co-wrote the Oscar-winning 'Arthur's Theme'.

Which Lionel Richie–Diana Ross duet from a Brooke Shields film spent nine weeks at US number one?

'Endless Love' was written for Franco Zeffirelli's film and became a duet only at the last minute, with Richie volunteering to sing the male part; Billboard has since named it the greatest song duet of all time.

Who won Best Supporting Actor as Hobson, valet to Dudley Moore's drunken millionaire, in the comedy Arthur?

John Gielgud's Hobson is more of a father to Arthur than his real one and secretly urges shoplifter Linda Marolla to come to the engagement party. The film also won Best Original Song for 'Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)'.

Who played General Zod, the Kryptonian villain freed from the Phantom Zone, in Superman II?

Terence Stamp's ruthless Zod leads three Kryptonian criminals unwittingly set free by Superman; the film was finished by Richard Lester after Richard Donner was fired, with Lester re-shooting most of it to earn the credit.

Which team won its 14th NBA championship by beating the 40–42 Houston Rockets in six games?

The Boston Celtics, 62–20 that season, leaned on Cedric Maxwell, who scored 28 points with 15 rebounds in one rout while Larry Bird struggled. It was one of only two Finals of the 1980s not to feature the Lakers.

Which film, seen on a double bill with Xanadu, won Worst Picture at the first Golden Raspberry Awards?

Can't Stop the Music and Xanadu, watched as a double feature, inspired John Wilson to start the Razzies, first held on March 31, 1981, in his living-room alcove to honour the worst of 1980.

Which Heisman winner was MVP of Super Bowl XV as Oakland became the first wild-card team to win the title?

Jim Plunkett threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns in the 27–10 win over Philadelphia, only the second Heisman winner after Roger Staubach to be Super Bowl MVP, having led the team to nine wins in its last eleven games.

Which US sport played a season split into two halves in 1981 after a seven-week players' strike?

Baseball's strike cancelled 712 games, nearly 34 percent of the schedule, and the split-season format had not been used in the majors since 1892. First-half winners, already sure of a playoff place, had little incentive to keep winning.

Who won the Wimbledon ladies' singles without dropping a set, beating the second seed 6–2, 6–2 in the final?

Chris Evert Lloyd beat Hana Mandlíková, seeded second despite a world ranking of fifth because she had just won the French Open. Evert did not lose a set all tournament.

Which English club won its first European trophy, beating AZ '67 5–4 on aggregate in the UEFA Cup final?

Ipswich Town, managed by Bobby Robson, won the first leg 3–0 at Portman Road with second-half goals from Frans Thijssen and Paul Mariner, then held on in Amsterdam's Olympic Stadium, where keeper Paul Cooper was man of the match.

Which Dutch act topped the US chart with a Beatles medley whose 41-word title is the longest of any number one?

Stars on 45's single chained a Beatles segment with Shocking Blue's 'Venus' and the Archies' 'Sugar, Sugar', and US legalities required every song used to be listed in the title, hence its 41 words.

Which Scottish singer, chosen after a Blondie submission was rejected, sang the theme to the 12th Bond film?

Sheena Easton was suggested by United Artists on the strength of her US number one 'Morning Train'; Bill Conti had written 'For Your Eyes Only' with Donna Summer or Dusty Springfield in mind. It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Song.

Which band's version of John Lennon's 'Jealous Guy', never a single in his lifetime, hit UK number one?

Roxy Music's version, issued in early 1981, also reached number one in Australia and was a top-10 hit across Europe; Lennon's own recording was not released as a single until November 1985.

Which debut single did R.E.M. put out on the short-lived Hib-Tone label, later re-recording it for Murmur?

'Radio Free Europe' was cut as a raw, fast version; Michael Stipe mumbled because he had not finished the lyrics, and the first pressing even left off Hib-Tone's contact address. The band re-recorded it for their 1983 debut album.

Which REO Speedwagon album, home of 'Keep On Loving You', spent 15 weeks at number one in the US?

Hi Infidelity, released in November 1980, gave the band its first number-one single with 'Keep On Loving You'; 'Take It on the Run' reached number five on the Hot 100.

Which John Lennon song, a UK number six in 1975, finally reached UK number one for four weeks in January?

'Imagine' re-entered the UK chart after Lennon's death in December 1980 and has sold more than 1.7 million copies in Britain; a 2002 Guinness survey named it the second-best single of all time.

Which 'Cat's in the Cradle' singer died on 16 July while driving to a free benefit concert on Long Island?

Harry Chapin, a hunger activist who has sold over 16 million records, was heading to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow; 'Cat's in the Cradle' came from his 1974 album Verities and Balderdash, which sold 2.5 million copies.

Which composer of 'Stardust' and 'Georgia on My Mind' died in Rancho Mirage on 27 December, aged 82?

Hoagy Carmichael, also an actor, author and lawyer, wrote four of the most-recorded American songs of all time, including 'The Nearness of You'; 'Stardust' began life as an upbeat piano solo before Mitchell Parish added lyrics.

Which Terry Gilliam fantasy, co-written with Michael Palin, was financed by George Harrison's HandMade Films?

Time Bandits was shot in England, Morocco and Wales; HandMade Films had been set up in London for Harrison to produce Life of Brian, with the aim of making more films with Python talent.

Who played Marion Ravenwood, the tough Nepal bar owner, in Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Karen Allen had impressed Spielberg as an independent character in Animal House, and Raiders went on to be the highest-grossing film of 1981 at about $354 million worldwide, playing in some theatres for over a year.

Which All Creatures Great and Small actor first appeared as the Doctor in the final scene of Logopolis in March?

Peter Davison, who had played vet Tristan Farnon, took over when the Watcher merged with Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor; the closing credits of the final episode even had Baker's face removed.

Which actress, born in Jerusalem on 9 June under the surname Hershlag, won an Oscar as a ballerina in Black Swan?

Natalie Portman, who holds dual Israeli and American citizenship, was born at Hadassah Medical Center on Mount Scopus, and had played Evey Hammond in V for Vendetta and Anne Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl before Black Swan.

Elizabeth Jordan Carr, born in Norfolk, Virginia, on 28 December, was America's first baby born by what method?

In-vitro fertilization had produced only 14 babies worldwide before Carr, whose birth followed work at Eastern Virginia Medical School by Howard Jones and Georgeanna Seegar Jones, the first to attempt the process in the United States.