Photos: A look at what life was like in Tucson in the 1980s
Big hair, packed rock concerts and muscle cars were just some of the sights you could see in Tucson during the '80s.
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Amphitheater High School prom
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The Holiday Inn Downtown, now called the Hotel Arizona, was the setting for the Amphitheater High School prom on April 4, 1987. Taking a break from the action on the dance floor, senior Sharol Sebastyen shows a photograph to senior Tabitha Thornhill while prom guest Jimmy Williams looks on.
Billy Idol concert
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Rock star Billy Idol made an appearance at the Tucson Community Center Arena on May 5, 1987. Opening for Idol that night was The Cult. Among the numbers Idol performed were his renditions of "White Wedding," "Mony, Mony" and "To Be a Lover." According to the Star's reviewer, the nearly 5,000 fans in attendance were treated to a "fast-paced, good-humored and invigorating" concert. The review went on to say, "Through it all, Billy curled his lip and played the idol. Posing is his life and his art. Trying to separate Billy Idol from his ridiculous, hilariously exaggerated image is like trying to separate Mick Jagger from his lips. It can't be done."
Computers at Catalina High School
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Richard Commander (foreground) works on his computer terminal along with students at Catalina High School on Nov. 17, 1987. Photo by David Sanders, Arizona Daily Star
Boys Chorus returns from China
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When the Tucson Boys Chorus returned from a 5 1/2-week tour of the Orient on April 6, 1987, it was met by several hundred friends and relatives at the airport, as well as by Miss Arizona, Terri Kettunen. The group had performed more than 15 concerts, with stops in China, Japan and Hong Kong, as well as Hawaii. At the airport, the boys sang few songs, including one in Chinese and one in Japanese.
UA student with longevity
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Anyone who spent time on the University of Arizona campus from 1968 to 1987 might recognize David C. Wright. Having spent about 19 years on campus as an undergraduate, he amassed more then 300 semester credits. Wright finally was prepared to graduate in May 1987. As seen in this photo from May 7, 1987, Wright, then 36, was wearing a full-length indigo cloak and a vintage Walkman-style headset. His costume may have changed over the years, but the headset and antennas were always there. A follow-up story several months later reported that Wright had landed a part-time job at a local pet store. By that time, he wore the cloak and headset only on special occasions.
Main library downtown
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A full view of Main Library, under construction at Pennington Street and Stone Avenue is shown looking south from Franklin Street. Ground breaking was in November of 1987.
Magician Howard Morgan at Magee Middle
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Magee Middle School Principal Mary Carr wasn't really in danger as she was tied up by Howard Morgan on April 8, 1987. Morgan, a professional magician, was hosting a magic show for the students and Carr was acting as his assistant. Two students pulled from the audience held up their ends, too. The show promoted a canned-food drive for the Community Food Bank and brought in about 800 items.
The Batmobile
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"Holy Time Capsule, Batman! That's our Batmobile in front of the El Con 6 theater!" Indeed it was, Robin! On May 8, 1987, the restored vehicle, along with the Batcycle, was on a promotional tour for the 20th anniversary of the "Batman" movie. The car's owner, Bob Butts, found the rusting vehicle on a Hollywood back lot and spent between $25,000 and $50,000 restoring it. Built on a 1958 Ford Thunderbird chassis, Butts had equipped it with a new 427-horsepower, 352-cubic-inch Ford engine. But, there was little chance the car would be seen out on Tucson thoroughfares, as it was not street-legal.
TUSD board members, city council members meet
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Tucson Unified School District board members and Tucson city councilmen met on Feb. 9, 1987 to talk about the problems of loitering and vandalism around TUSD schools. Discussing the issue at the Plaza Hotel were Tom Castillo, TUSD board president Bob Strauss, Steve Ponton, an aide to Councilman Brent Davis, Councilman Chuck Ford and Jerry Anderson, an aide to Councilman Tom Volgy.
Weaving at Emily Gray
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For the students at Emily Gray Junior High School, April 10, 1987, was a day to explore their artistic interests. Several artisans, including painters, actors, spinners and weavers, visited the school at 4201 N. Melpomene Way on Tucson's east side to share their skills and pass along some traditions. Here, Rick Howard, second from right, shows Randi Lee Brandfass the fine mechanics of weaving on a hand loom.
Primavera men's shelter
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First night of the Primavera Men's Shelter in Tucson in 1987. Nancy Bissell is second from left, smiling, and Gordon Packard is in the back with beard and glasses.
Michael Landon
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Actor Michael Landon called Tucson his "second home" and his fondness for the Old Pueblo was reciprocated by some 3,500 Tucsonans who turned out for the Cigna/Michael Landon Celebrity Tennis Classic on April 11, 1987. Forty celebrities teamed with local players to compete in the two-day event at Randolph Tennis Center. Landon, who filmed portions of several television series here, including "Little House on the Prairie," began hosting the tournament in 1983, replacing Connie Stevens. Landon died July 1, 1991, just months after the last tournament to carry his name was held. Beau Bridges hosted the 1992 tournament.
Legends nightclub
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Customers at Legends nightclub enjoy an elegant party atmosphere complete with paper streamers and metallic confetti on July 11, 1987.
Anniversary celebrations
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Before 1922, orphaned children in Arizona were lucky if they could hitch a wagon ride to an orphanage in California; the unlucky ones were sent to reform school or jail. So it was a cause for celebration when in 1922, the Missionary Society of the Christian Church of Tucson founded the Arizona Children's Home. On March 28, 1987, the organization brought together past and present residents and staff to celebrate its anniversary. As part of the festivities, Tom Morgan, a member of the Tucson Boys Chorus, showed off his roping skills.
Stray Cat Bar
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A catlike steel claw gouged the last life from the Stray Cat bar. May 13, 1987.
POW/MIA commemorative walk
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The Arizona Families of POWs and MIAs sponsored the appearance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica in Tucson. After being on display at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Arizona Aerospace Days, "The Wall" would then be moved to a location near the Tucson Community Center for several more days. On March 14, 1987, the members and friends of the POW/MIA group staged a commemorative walk that began at El Presidio Park, Downtown.
The Branding Iron
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When cowpokes saddle up nowadays, they dont always ride down to the local watering hole on a horse. But one traditionalist hitched his mount May 14, 1987 outside The Branding Iron, 5442 S. 12th Ave.
Guardsmen return
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Manny Flores jokes with fellow guardsmen returning from a two week tour of duty in Honduras on June 14, 1987.
KXCI leaders
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Left to right: Kay Blaise, programmer and underwriter, John Mills, programmer and volunteer coordinator, and station manager Paul Bear stand in front of KXCI's new studio building on 2/16/1987.
Car wrecks
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Cutting up car wrecks for airlift on Catalina Highway, up Mt. Lemmon on 4/18/87.
Rincon High senior class concert
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It's rock 'n' roll attitude without all the noise. Twenty years ago, an air-guitar trio consisting of Steve Borozan, left; Don Ross, center; and J.R. Peters electrified the audience - well, not literally - with its moves to accompany Van Halen's "Everybody Wants Some." The Rincon High School senior class presented the "concert" on March 20, 1987, to raise money for its parting gift to the school. Fourteen acts did their best impersonations of the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and other rockers. Student body Treasurer Bill Van Hook organized the event.
Balloon fiesta
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A balloon fiesta held at Midvale Park on 2/21/87.
Mariachi music workshop
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As part of the fifth annual Tucson International Mariachi Conference, about 150 local musicians attended workshops taught by members of the legendary group Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. On April 22, 1987, Natividad Santiago, right, instructs Edaena Ruiz on proper finger placement for the guitarron, while Mike Hernandez watches. A member of Los Changuitos Feos, Ruiz was considered a trailblazer and may have been the only female guitarron player in the country at that time. She took up the guitarron, an enormous, fat-stringed guitar-like rhythm instrument, because that is what the group needed when she joined.
Randolph Golf Course
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Willie Kane is at home when he's at work in the driving range house at Randolph Golf Course on July 23, 1987.
Edsel car club
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Possibly they sought strength in numbers when a group of 17 Arizonans formed the Roadrunners chapter of the Edsel Owners Club in 1987. After all, the Ford Motor Co.'s Edsel had become a symbol of failure and the butt of many jokes since it was introduced with the 1958 model. Joining in support of their beleaguered vehicle on April 25, 1987, at Reid Park were (kneeling from left) Tom Aukskalnis and Bob DeVoil, and standing from left: John Aube, Dave Davis, Scott McKinzie and Glenn Lueders. The Edsel was discontinued with the 1960 model. Leuders, the chapter president, blamed the demise of the Edsel on its name, that of Henry Ford's son. But let history and old photos speak for themselves.
Iron Maiden in concert
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Iron Maiden, an English heavy-metal band featuring lead singer Bruce Dickinson, performed at the Tucson Community Center on Feb. 26, 1987. According to the Star review, the "crowd of 7,400 rivet-headed zealots" took part in an experimental "festival seating" plan in which seats weren't assigned, and no problems were reported. It may have helped that posters were put up around the arena, signed by the band members, asking the crowd not to throw things at the band or each other and not to damage the seats. After all, according to the posters, "real metal fans go to concerts for the music."
Police chief in costume
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It would be strange enough to see a Keystone Kop giving a "ticket" to a police officer, but when the "Kop" is former Tucson Police Chief William Gilkinson, it definitely raises eyebrows. March 26, 1987, was RideShare/Sun Tran Day in Tucson, and commuters were encouraged to car-pool or ride the bus. Among the rewards for the lucky few who were pulled over by the law were slush drinks, Tucson Toros baseball tickets and health club memberships.
Police on quads
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Tucson police officer Kenny Vaughan, with the flag on his quadrunner, leads the special unit through a wash on June 26, 1987.
Titanic's Revenge
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Titanic's Revenge, a Ford pick-up truck with 45-inch tractor tires and driven by Jim Weining, peels through a mud bog at Sahuaro Speedway on May 29, 1987.
Biosphere II project
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Raising their glasses in celebration, Margret Augustine and Carl Hodges toast the groundbreaking for the Biosphere 2 project in the Oracle area. The celebration took place on Jan. 30, 1987. The complex was billed as a self-sustaining environment for humans, and in 1993 eight "biosphereans" ended a two-year stint living inside its sealed ecosystem.
Steve Kerr
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Steve Kerr walks off the court after Arizona lost to Auburn in the NCAA Tournament on March 15, 1986.
Jane's Addiction
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Jane's Addiction performs in the University of Arizona Student Union cellar on Sept. 22, 1987.
The Wild Hairs
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The Wild Hairs at Club Congress on March 6, 1987.
Congress Bar
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Patrons at the Congress Bar in March, 1987.
Drug bust
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Border Patrol agents John Davies, Paul Waterman, Chief J.D. Jondall and Stuart Dutcher unload a massive drug seizure from inside a water truck at the Tucson Border Patrol station in 1987.
Border action
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Michael Sheehy, assistant agent in charge, watches TV monitors showing border activity from the Nogales Border Patrol station in 1986.
Tucson Monastery
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Sisters during afternoon prayer in 1986 at the Tucson Monastery of Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 800 N. Country Club Road.
Charles Bowden
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Charles Bowden in 1986 at a book signing event for "Blue Desert" in Tucson.
El Presidio Hotel
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El Presidio Hotel on July 10, 1987. The hotel was gutted by fire in 1989.
Law enforcement at Carrillo
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Pima County Attorney Steve Neely, left, Sheriff Clarence Dupnik and Dean Taylor are seen here in costume to give a Halloween safety talk to children at Carrillo School in 1987.
While giving a Halloween safety demonstration to elementary school children in 1988, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik choked on his costume.
Dupnik was dressed as a giant white bunny - Roger Rabbit - when he inhaled a tuft of fur that came loose from the costume. The sheriff left the classroom and began choking and vomiting. He was taken to a medical clinic for an X-ray, but doctor's could not locate the offending fuzz.
UA baseball champs
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University of Arizona baseball third baseman Chip Hale raises the 1986 NCAA baseball championship flag over campus on Nov. 1, 1986.
University of Arizona Homecoming
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1987 homecoming royalty nominees participated in a "Dating Game" on the UA Mall on Nov. 3, 1987. The participants were given questions by the emcee and the audience.
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo
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Rodeo clown Ted Kimzey fishes from a raft in the middle of the rodeo area during the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo in 1987.
Linda Ronstadt
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Linda Ronstadt singing with her father, Gilbert, at the Mariachi Espectacular on April 24, 1987 at Tucson Community Center.
Space Shuttle Columbia
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The Space Shuttle Columbia landed at Davis-Monthan for a refueling stop before heading for Texas,where they will spend the night and head for Florida later. A crowd gathered to see the event on 1/22/86.
Tanque Verde Swap Meet
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The Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads on January, 1987.
New swap meet location
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An electrician prepares light poles at the new location for the Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Palo Verde Road and Ajo Way in February, 1987.
UA Band Day
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The Tucson High Marching band takes to the field during the UA Band Day, held at Arizona Stadium on Oct. 24, 1987. A total of 48 bands competed in the event.
U2 plane
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A U2 high altitude surveillance plane stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB in flight over the Tucson area in July, 1986.
Tucson aerial view
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Aerial view of Tucson in November, 1987.
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