Advertisement

News

1981

Rating: NNNNN


The first issue

guide_story1+1.jpg

NOW founding editor and publisher Michael Hollett pulled back the stained sheets for an inside look at the greasy country and western bars that lined Queen Street in the mag’s summer 1981 preview issue.

they said

Film festivals by nature intimidate people. They initially appear to be elitist. – Festival Of Festivals director Wayne Clarkson

There’s a need for growth and communication working both ways – and sometimes both parties need a rest from each other. – dancer Margie Gillis on the relationship between artist and audience

The 80s threaten to become a decade of selfishness and meanness, a decade of short-sightedness. Cutbacks in important services for people, coupled with a corporate ideology, will leave Ontarians tenants in their own land. – Bob Rae during his run for leader of the provincial ndp

The raids are not a question of harassment of the gay community. – Mayor Art Eggleton responding to questions about police raids on Toronto’s gay bathhouses

guide_story1+3.jpg

we said

“There is no surer indication of the worthlessness of this project than the fact that Prince Chuck and Lady Di requested a screening of the film on the royal yacht.” – about future best-picture winner Chariots Of Fire

“Their music is loud, fast and abrasive. Melody is obsolete screeching guitars are the name of the game. Pity.” – about the Dead Kennedys

“Aside from Jane Fonda, who gives a very good performance, the rest of the cast isn’t especially good.” – about On Golden Pond, which earned acting Oscars for Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn and a nomination for Jane Fonda

“A year from now, you’ll be listening to the latest Spoons album or watching them in concert and remember, ‘Yeah, I read about them in a newspaper when they were still playing clubs’.” – about the Spoons, a year before they broke

top 10 albums

Simple Minds Sons And Fascination

Human League Dare

Psychedelic Furs Talk Talk Talk

guide_story1+2.jpg

U2 October

Martha and the Muffins This Is The Ice Age

The Clash Sandinista

Kraftwerk Computer World

The Police Ghost In The Machine

Neil Young Reactor

Bruce Cockburn Inner City Front

Top 10 movies

Cutter’s Way

Atlantic City

S.O.B.

Blow Out

Pennies From Heaven

Four Friends

Scanners

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Southern Comfort

Prince Of The City

The Cost of Living

guide_story1+5.jpg

in this year

JANUARYJANUARY

First DeLorean DMC-12 (that time machine car in the Back To The Future movies) rolls off the line.

Iran releases 52 American hostages after 444 days in captivity, moments after Ronald Reagan is sworn in as the 40th U.S. president.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY

More than 300 men are arrested when police raid Toronto’s bathhouses, triggering a storm of protests from the queer community.

MARCH MARCH

Ronald Reagan is shot by John Hinckley Jr. Two police officers and press secretary James Brady are also wounded.

APRIL APRIL

Bobby Sands, MP and IRA member, dies on hunger strike after 66 days.

MAYMAY

guide_story1+4.jpg

Reggae legend Bob Marley dies.

JUNEJUNE

Terry Fox dies. Toronto holds its first Gay Pride Day.

Five gay men in L.A. are diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia seen only in patients with weakened immune systems, the first recognized cases of AIDS.

JULYJULY

Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales.

AUGUSTAUGUST

MTV launches in the U.S.

SEPTEMBER

Chromazone gallery opens. It would become one of the most influential art collectives in the city.

OCTOBER

Restoration of the Elgin Theatre begins.

Canada Post becomes a Crown corporation.

NOVEMBER

The exhibit Computers: Art Form Of The 80s is held at the Toronto College of Art.

DECEMBERDECEMBER

Citizens’ Independent Review of Police Activities (CIRPA)’s 24-hour hotline is created to provide legal and practical advice to people with complaints about police behaviour.

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted