The database currently contains 5402 historical events.
- Elvis Presley's album I Was The One reached No. 83 on the British chart.
- Madness, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Police and R.E.M. performed at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. R.E.M. began the concert at 5:00 p.m., with The Police taking the stage later. R.E.M. nervously waited in a small trailer at the back of the venue, while The Police and their entourage arrived backstage in several limousines.
- Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5's compilation album “18 Greatest Hits” began a three-week run at No. 1 on the British chart, knocking The Beach Boys' album “20 Golden Greats” from the top spot. It remained on the British chart for more than 50 weeks and was later certified platinum.
- Taco's cover version of Irving Berlin's “Puttin' On the Ritz” reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, making the 95-year-old Berlin the oldest living songwriter ever to have a song reach the Top 10 of the chart.
- The Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone, born John Cummings, got into a fight with Seth Micklaw of Sub Zero Construction after seeing him with his girlfriend Cynthia Whitney. Ramone suffered a serious head injury when he was kicked in the head with steel-toed boots during the fight and was found unconscious on a New York street. He underwent emergency four-hour brain surgery to remove blood clots. Micklaw was arrested and charged with first-degree assault and later spent several months in prison.
- The Grateful Dead performed at Frost Amphitheater on the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, California.
- David Bowie performed at Scope arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Jerry Lee Lewis's fifth wife, Shawn Michelle Stevens, was found dead at their home in Mississippi after a methadone overdose. The couple had been married for only 77 days. A grand jury later cleared Jerry Lee Lewis of criminal responsibility.
- The film “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”, starring David Bowie, premiered in New York.
- Thin Lizzy performed at the Reading Festival alongside Climax Blues Band, Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul, Opposition, Sad Café, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Ten Years After, and The Enid. For bassist and singer Phil Lynott, it was his final performance in the United Kingdom.
- Actress and singer Jennifer Landon was born.
- Mick Jones, lead guitarist of The Clash, was dismissed by the other three members, who said he had moved away from the group's original vision. His departure effectively marked the breakup of The Clash's classic lineup.
- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened its doors.
- The film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, starring David Bowie, was released in the United States.
- UB40 earned their first UK No. 1 single with “Red Red Wine” from the album Labour of Love. It was a cover of Neil Diamond’s 1968 song; after being reissued, the recording also reached No. 1 in the US in 1988.
- Phil Lynott played his final concert with Thin Lizzy at the Monsters of Rock festival in Nuremberg, Germany. Lynott died nearly two and a half years later, on January 4, 1986.
- Cyndi Lauper released the single “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” which did not become a hit until several months later.
- Cyndi Lauper released the single "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", which did not become a hit until several months later.
- Madonna released her first single, “Holiday”.
- The album “Purple Rain” began a 24-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
- Phil Collins married Jill Tavelman.
- Bruce Springsteen played the first of ten concerts at Meadowlands in New Jersey as part of the Born in the USA tour.
- Eric Roberts, bassist for Gym Class Heroes, was born in Edmeston, New York.
- Americká R&B a soulová zpěvačka Esther Phillips zemřela v Carsonu v Kalifornii ve věku 48 let na selhání jater a ledvin způsobené dlouhodobým užíváním drog. Známá byla mimo jiné skladbami „Release Me“ a „What A Difference A Day Makes“ a získala čtyři nominace na cenu Grammy.
- Red Hot Chili Peppers released their self-titled debut album, produced with Andy Gill of Gang of Four.
- Aerosmith performed at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine.
- Ray Parker Jr. began a three-week run at No. 1 on the US singles chart with “Ghostbusters,” the title song from the film of the same name. The song also reached No. 1 in Belgium, Canada, France, South Africa and Spain. Parker was later accused of plagiarizing the melody of “I Want a New Drug” by Huey Lewis and the News, and the dispute was settled out of court in 1985.
- Lionel Richie closed the Los Angeles Olympic Games with an extended nine-minute version of his hit “All Night Long.” The lyrics were specially adapted for the occasion.
- English singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Morrison was born. His debut album Undiscovered reached No. 1 on the UK chart.
- American musician, producer and radio station owner Norman Petty died at the age of 57 from leukemia. He was also known as a recording engineer and Buddy Holly's first manager.
- Multi-instrumentalist and founding member of Mumford & Sons Ted Dwane was born.
- RCA Victor Records released Elvis Presley's single "Baby, Let's Play House".
- Bruce Springsteen performed at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- During the opening night of his Breaking Hearts tour, Elton John announced that he was retiring from touring.
- Mötley Crüe performed at the Monsters of Rock festival in Castle Donington, England, for the first time.
- George Michael was at No. 1 on the UK singles chart with his first solo single, “Careless Whisper.” He thus became the first person to reach No. 1 in the same year as both a solo artist and a member of a group. The song became Epic Records' first UK million-seller and reached No. 1 in nearly 25 countries.
- Melissa Schuman, founding member and singer of the girl group Dream, was born in San Clemente, California.
- Scandal featuring Patty Smyth released the album “Warrior”. The collection of rock songs aimed at radio audiences reached the Top 20 thanks to the title hit and later achieved platinum certification.
- Tina Turner's album “Private Dancer” received RIAA platinum certification and the single “What's Love Got To Do With It” received gold certification. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and the single reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, as well as No. 5 in the UK and the Top 10 in several other European countries. At the age of 44, Turner became the oldest female solo singer at the time to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100.
- Aerosmith performed at the Golden Hall in San Diego, California.
- Bruce Springsteen's album “Born in the U.S.A.” moved to a different position after ten weeks on the chart compared with the previous week.
- Huey Lewis and the News' album “Sports” returned to number two on the album chart after 47 weeks since its release.
- Puerto Rican boy band Menudo released their sixteenth studio album “Evolucion”. The album marked the first appearance of their new 12-year-old singer Ricky Martin.