Celebrity Star Tracks Vintage Star Tracks: This Time in 1981, See Prince Play London, Plus Rod Stewart & More Find out what the biggest stars of the '80s were up to with throwback photos from Hollywood's bygone era By John Russell John Russell John Russell is a Writer/Reporter at PEOPLE. He joined the PEOPLE team in 2024. His work has previously appeared on VanityFair.com, Slate.com, Billboard.com and in Out Magazine. People Editorial Guidelines Published on June 20, 2024 06:25PM EDT Prince on stage in 1981. Photo: Andre Csillag/Shutterstock The biggest names in the entertainment biz had a lot going on in June 1981 — and it was all fabulous! The hot summer nights saw star-studded parties on both coasts. One L.A. soirée saw Magic Johnson, Barry White and Dionne Warwick among its A-list guests, while Rod Stewart, Cher, Robin Williams and Carly Simon all partied in New York City. And rock stars made work look like a party: Bob Dylan, James Taylor and Prince all crisscrossed the globe playing concerts for adoring fans. From New York nights to Hollywood house parties, see what the hottest stars of the decade were up to as summer 1981 continued to heat up. 01 of 20 Seeing Double John McEnroe in 1981. Rob Taggart/Central Press/Getty Tennis star John McEnroe posed with his wax doppelganger at Madame Tussaud's in London. 02 of 20 This Girl Brooke Shields in 1981. Barry King/Alamy Who's got a bright smile and just arrived at a TV show taping (in 1981)? Brooke Shields! 03 of 20 Jet Set Bianca Jagger and Olivier de Montal in 1981. David Parker/Alamy Photographers snapped Bianca Jagger and boyfriend Olivier de Montal leaving London's Heathrow Airport looking very chic. 04 of 20 Purple Reign Prince in 1981. Andre Csillag/Shutterstock Also in London in June 1981: Prince! The "Controversy" singer rocked the crowed at the Lyceum on his "Dirty Mind Tour." 05 of 20 Do You Believe in Magic? Magic Johnson in 1981. Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy Magic Johnson flashed big smile arriving at L.A. Lakers owner Jerry Buss's Beverly Hills mansion for a party on June 17. 06 of 20 Can't Get Enough of Your Love Barry White and Glodean White in 1981. Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy Barry White and wife Glodean were also dressed to the nines for Jerry Buss's June 17 bash. 07 of 20 Life of the Party Dionne Warwick and Gianni Russo in 1981. Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy Jerry Buss's star-studded guest list also included singer and actress Dionne Warwick and The Godfather actor Gianni Russo. 08 of 20 Dance Floor Diplomacy First Lady Nancy Reagan and Prince Charles in 1981. Robin Platzer/Images/Getty Prince Charles took First Lady Nancy Reagan for a spin at a June 17 event in New York City. 09 of 20 Euro Star Bob Dylan in 1981. DANIEL JANIN/AFP via Getty Bob Dylan stopped by the Stadium de Toulouse in France during the first leg of his 1981 European tour. 10 of 20 Tough Guys Sylvester Stallone and Mr. T in 1981. R Cummings/THA/Shutterstock Sylvester Stallone and Mr. T looked like they were ready for a friendly bout — and would go head-to-head and fist-to-fist in 1982's Rocky III. 11 of 20 Just Can't Get Enough Depeche Mode in 1981. Virginia Turbett/Redferns Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan showed off his frontman charisma with bandmates Martin Gore, Vince Clarke and Andy Fletcher backing him up outside London's Blackwing Studios. 12 of 20 Dog Days Rick Springfield in 1981. Gary Gershoff/Getty Rick Springfield stopped by J&R Music in New York City to sign copies of his new album Working Class Dog on June 18. 13 of 20 Candy Striper Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Shutterstock Lady Diana Spencer looked sweetly demure in stripes and pearls at the Royal Ascot in Berkshire, England, on June 18. 14 of 20 Glamorous Girlies Iman and Apollonia van Ravenstein in 1981. Allan Tannenbaum/Getty A fashionable crowd, including Dutch model Apollonia van Ravenstein (right), turned out to celebrate Iman at a June 22 party in New York City. 15 of 20 How Sweet It Is James Taylor in 1981. Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty James Taylor worked up a sweat onstage during a gig in Los Angeles. 16 of 20 The Divine Miss M Bette Midler in 1981. CW Braun/IMAGES/Getty Bette Midler lit up the room with her smile and easy-breezy style at an appearance in New York City. 17 of 20 The In Crowd Alana Stewart, Rod Stewart, Cher and Valerie Perrine in 1981. Robin Platzer/IMAGES/Getty Oh, to be a fly on the wall, as Alana and Rod Stewart, Cher and actress Valerie Perrine hung out in New York City. 18 of 20 Nobody Does It Better Robin Williams and Carly Simon in 1981. Oscar Abolafia/TPLP/Getty Also hobnobbing at a fabulous New York City party: comedian Robin Williams and singer Carly Simon. 19 of 20 Brooklyn Born Barry Manilow in 1981. Robin Platzer/Images/Getty Barry Manilow paid homage to his home borough, wearing a Brooklyn College sweatshirt onstage in New York City. 20 of 20 Blame It on Rio Robert De Niro in 1981. Frederico Mendes/IMAGES/Getty Robert De Niro took in the stunning vista of a Rio de Janeiro beach while in Brazil. Close