1980s
1989
Mickey Granberg retires and Pam Horovitz named NARM EVP.
1989
First Annual Indie Product Presentation at NARM Convention.
1989
“American Bandstand” goes off the air.
1989
EMI acquires Chysalis; PolyGram acquires Island Records and A&M.
1988
First WalMart Supercenter opens.
1988
Sony buys CBS Records; MCA buys Motown Records.
1988
Jim Donio joins NARM as Director of Creative Services.
1986
NBC News airs “The New Payola” report; instigates federal probe into independent promoters.
1986
NARM conducts first customer survey.
1986
Whitney Houston performs at NARM Convention.
1986
First Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
1985
Whitney Houston’s debut album released.
1985
Parental Advisory stickers introduced.
1985
RIM, creators of the BlackBerry, launches.
1984
Mickey Granberg named Executive Vice President of NARM (1st female EVP).
1984
MTV wins NARM Presidential Award.
1983
First year of CD sales: RIAA Shipment .8 million units.
1983
Best Buy opens its first superstore.
1983
Def Jam Recordings formed.
1983
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video released.
1983
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame established.
1983
NARM celebrates 25th Anniversary.
1982
Time Magazine names “The Computer” its “Machine [Man] of the Year”.
1982
Billy Joel’s 52nd St first commercially released album on CD.
1982
CD Launch Presentation At NARM Convention: An entire orchestra was on stage playing a piece; one by one the musicians leave with no change to the music — it was a CD.
1981
MTV launches.
1981
NARM creates Video Software Dealers Association.
1980
John Lennon dies.
1980
BET launches.
