80s Music Icons
This King of Pop released the best-selling album Thriller in 1982.
Who is Michael Jackson?
This groundbreaking sitcom followed the Huxtable family beginning in 1984.
What is The Cosby Show?
Known as “Air,” he entered the NBA in 1984 with the Chicago Bulls.
Who is Michael Jordan?
In 1983, this astronaut became the first African American in space.
Who is Guion Bluford?
This talk show host became one of the most influential women in media starting in 1986.
Who is Oprah Winfrey?
She released Control in 1986, launching her as a superstar.
Who is Janet Jackson?
This comedian starred as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop.
Who is Eddie Murphy?
This Olympic track star won four gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Who is Carl Lewis?
This national holiday honoring a civil rights leader was first observed in 1986.
What is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
This singer was known for hits like “Superwoman:” and “Ribbon in the Sky.”
Who is Stevie Wonder?
This legendary artist released Purple Rain in 1984.
Who is Prince?
This 1985 film, directed by Steven Spielberg, was based on a novel by Alice Walker and starred Whoopi Goldberg.
What is The Color Purple?
This heavyweight boxer became the youngest champion in history in 1986.
Who is Mike Tyson?
This Chicago mayor, elected in 1983, became the city’s first African American mayor.
Who is Harold Washington?
This actor starred in Lean on Me as a tough but caring principal.
Who is Morgan Freeman?
This R&B icon had hits like “Greatest Love of All” and starred in The Bodyguard later in her career.
Who is Whitney Houston?
This 1988 romantic comedy starred Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall as African royalty visiting Queens.
What is Coming to America?
This Chicago Bears running back, nicknamed “Sweetness,” was one of the NFL’s greatest in the 80s.
Who is Walter Payton?
This South African leader became a global symbol of anti-apartheid resistance during the 1980s.
Who is Nelson Mandela?
This female rapper broke barriers with hits like “Ladies First.”
Who is Queen Latifah?
This rap group released "Walk This Way" with Aerosmith in 1986, helping bring hip-hop mainstream.
Who is Run-D.M.C.?
This syndicated TV show, launched nationally in 1986, made its host a media powerhouse.
What is The Oprah Winfrey Show?
This tennis champion won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, many during the 1980s.
Who is Steffi Graf?
This television network launched in 1980 focused on Black entertainment and culture.
What is BET?
This comedian and actor starred in The Jeffersons and became known for his big personality.
Who is Sherman Hemsley?