Donkey Kong and MTV made their debuts. Metallica forms in Los Angeles. Muhammad Ali fought for the last time and the Rochester Red Wings and Pawtucket Red Sox played the longest professional baseball game ever, a 33 inning, 8 hour and 25-minute affair.
Raiders of the Lost Ark dominated at the movie theater. The music scene was grim. John Lennon and REO Speedwagon had a couple of hits but the rest of the year was mostly unadulterated trash. Do you remember what the #1 song was of 1981? Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes. Is anyone listening to that today?