Rare Footage from 1981

1980s

Explore 245 rare behind-the-scenes clips and footage of famous musicians from 1981.

1981 in Music

MTV launched, changing music forever. Bob Marley died. The Rolling Stones' 'Tattoo You' tour. U2 released 'October'. The Go-Go's became the first all-female band to top the album charts. Soft Cell released 'Tainted Love'. Synthesisers were taking over pop.

Artists

Elvis CostelloKeith StegallKenny VaughanSteve KingSavatageJon OlivaSteve WacholzCriss OlivaThe Isley BrothersFrank ZappaR.E.M.NWAIrationManiWeenWalt AldridgeJim TillmanKate SchellenbachButthole SurfersThe BandGibby HaynesKing CoffeyPaul LearyOdettaWrathchildTim MaiaConcertY&TLive (band)DedringerGirlschoolComposerKaty MoffattEddie Van HalenRobert SmithSimon GallupThe CureRich CasonL.A.B.QueenNMEYouthStingJoe HasselvanderDeBargeThe PretendersFridaJimmy WitherspoonCherJohn LocktonLol TolhurstRon EmoryThe PrimitivesE.F. BandBobby ByrdRod TempertonDusty SpringfieldHeadS-K-ODavid ConnellDick GaughanRick DowneyCharlie DanielsSly and RobbieJason LeighThe RubensStewRod StewartWizz JonesMichael TolesTalk TalkAretha FranklinThe AccüsedVictor LangenLeviticus (band)Gabrial McNairJag PanzerSteve WarinerT. G. SheppardAnthrax (American band)Suicidal TendenciesRonnie ThomasDionne WarwickKornBonnie TylerGinger BakerKeith HaleJack BrucesooHarvey BainbridgeDave BrockHawkwindRobert CalvertMusic venueFleet FoxesSongwriterCarole KingDave MattacksTampa RedOtis RushThad JonesSweet SavageTim HartKevin RiddlesOtis SpannDonovantears for fearsJon KleinBilly JoelJohn McGeochSiouxsie and the BansheesThe Smashing PumpkinsSiouxsie SiouxdanzigBob MarleyPeter Toshheartland reggaRichard JonesJohn GiblinBrian McGeeRa (American band)The SoundSimon and GarfunkelSimon & GarfunkelProdigy of mobb deepIan StewartMother MotherBig SmoKansas City RedJunior WellsCreamBuddy GuyFloyd JonesMuddy WatersDiamond RioMichael SchenkerLittle Hat JonesLefty DizzDiegoJoan ArmatradingKarnail GillBill MedleyKeith RichardsCharlie WattsMick TaylorMick JaggerNicky HopkinsCarl WilsonVince ClarkeSkillet (band)the jacksonsCaptain BeefheartSomebody to LoveFreddie JacksonMichael JacksonFreddie MercuryJ.O.E.Tommy ChongMazzy StarPhil CollinsOlivia Newton-JohnRed McKenzieVeronica MaggioP.O.D.Recorded Music NZDef LeppardRideTeena MarieMichael Schenker GroupMotörheadNikki SixxThe ClashSylvia StriplinTammi TerrellLovie LeePaul Simonsteve gaddMaximSleepy John EstesPiano RedThe Rolling StonesSam ChatmonFurry LewisMose VinsonMemphis bluesRolling StonesRecord producerMenudothe white stripesIggy PopThe KinksJoe ElliottJustin HaywardL.V. JohnsonIron MaidenJohn IllsleyBob WelchJohnny NeelStevie NicksElvis PresleyMarvin GayeStevie WonderChristine McVieMick Fleetwood