Rare Footage from 1981

1980s

Explore 198 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

Ron EmoryThe PrimitivesE.F. BandBobby ByrdRod TempertonDusty SpringfieldHeadS-K-OThe CureDavid ConnellDick GaughanRick DowneyCharlie DanielsSly and RobbieConcertY&TJason LeighThe RubensR.E.M.StewRod StewartYouthWizz JonesMichael TolesFridaTalk TalkAretha FranklinCherThe AccüsedVictor LangenThe BandLeviticus (band)L.A.B.Gabrial McNairJag PanzerSteve WarinerT. G. SheppardAnthrax (American band)Suicidal TendenciesRonnie ThomasDionne WarwickKornBonnie TylerGinger BakerKeith HaleJack BrucesooHarvey BainbridgeDave BrockHawkwindRobert CalvertMusic venueFleet FoxesSongwriterCarole KingDave MattacksNMETampa 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 WellsWeenCreamBuddy GuyFloyd JonesMuddy WatersStingDiamond 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