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

“Yo! MTV Raps” debuts.

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1988

Sony buys CBS Records; MCA buys Motown Records.

1988

Dick Clark hosts NARM’s 30th Anniversary retrospective at NARM Convention.

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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

NARM introduces Give the Gift of Music promotional campaign.

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1980

John Lennon dies.

1980

BET launches.