Vintage Star Tracks: This Time in 1981, See Bruce Springsteen on Stage, Plus a Young Sam Elliott, Hugh Hefner & More

Find out what the biggest stars of the '80s were up to with throwback photos from Hollywood's bygone era

Bruce Springsteen performs on stage at Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 29th April 1981.
Bruce Springsteen in 1981. Photo:

Rob Verhorst/Redferns

Hollywood's biggest names were out and about at this time 43 years ago.

April 1981 wrapped up with glamorous events, outings and award shows all over the world. Longtime loves Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross stepped out for the 16th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles, and Prince Charles watched polo down under in Sydney. Bianca Jagger and Andy Warhol caught up during a Carolina Herrera fashion show in New York City, and across the ocean, Bruce Springsteen performed a show in the Netherlands.

Travel back in time to see what the hottest stars of the decade were up to during the peak of spring in 1981.

01 of 15

The Boss Abroad

Bruce Springsteen performs on stage at Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 29th April 1981.
Bruce Springsteen in 1981.

Rob Verhorst/Redferns

Bruce Springsteen brought his rockin' American style and hit songbook to the Netherlands for a performance on April 29, 1981.

02 of 15

Original Playboy

Playboy impresario Hugh Hefner (1926 - 2017) with his girlfriend, model Sondra Theodore, at the Grand Opening of the Playboy Hotel-Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA, 28th April 1981
Hugh Hefner and Sondra Theodore in 1981.

Derek Hudson/Getty

On April 28, Hugh Hefner stopped by the opening of his Playboy Hotel-Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with his girlfriend Sondra Theodore.

03 of 15

On the Playing Field

Prince Charles playing Polo at Warwick farm. April 26, 1981.
Prince Charles in 1981.

Paul Murray/Fairfax Media via Getty

Prince Charles enjoyed a drink on the sidelines during a polo match on April 26 at Warwick Farm in Sydney, Australia.

04 of 15

Best of the Genre

Country legend Johnny Cash (1932-2003) during a performance at the "International Festival of Country Music", Frankfurt Festival Hall, pictured on 25th April 1981
Johnny Cash in 1981.

Wolfgang Eilmes/picture alliance via Getty

Johnny Cash took the stage to perform during the International Festival of Country Music at Frankfurt Festival Hall in Germany on April 25.

05 of 15

Date Night

Actors Katharine Ross and Sam Elliott attend the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 30, 1981 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
Katharine Ross and Sam Elliott in 1981.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

A few years before Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross tied the knot in 1984, the duo stepped out in L.A. for the 16th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 30.

06 of 15

Family Resemblance

Portrait of three (of four) of the sibling Soul and Disco group Sister Sledge as they pose outdoors, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1981. Kathy Sledge, Kim Sledge, and Joni Sledge.
Kathy Sledge, Kim Sledge and Joni Sledge in 1981.

Gary Gershoff/Getty

Kathy, Kim and Joni Sledge — three of the four Sister Sledge girl group members — posed together for outdoor photos in Philadelphia on April 28.

07 of 15

Honeymoon Phase

Ringo Starr and wife Barbara leave Heathrow Airport for Los Angeles. April 1981
Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach in 1981.

Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett

Shortly after their wedding ceremony on April 27, Ringo Starr and his new wife Barbara Bach headed into London's Heathrow Airport for their flight to Los Angeles.

08 of 15

Off the Runway

Bianca Jagger, ex-wife of Mick Jagger, shares a moment with pop artist Andy Warhol at the Metropolitan Club during a fashion show by designer Caroline Herrera.
Bianca Jagger and Andy Warhol in 1981.

Bianca Jagger chatted with Andy Warhol during a fashion show by designer Carolina Herrera at the Metropolitan Club in New York City on April 27.

09 of 15

A Musical Outing

Dick Clark and wife Kari Clark attend 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 30, 1981 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
Dick Clark and Kari Clark in 1981.

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Dick Clark and his wife Kari enjoyed a glamorous night out at the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 30 in Los Angeles.

10 of 15

Beverly Hills Babe

Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor attends Gala Evening In Monaco Benefit on April 24, 1981 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Zsa Zsa Gabor in 1981.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Zsa Zsa Gabor wore a feathery ensemble to an Evening in Monaco-themed benefit at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in L.A. on April 24.

11 of 15

Starry Night

Actor Erik Estrada and Barbara Horan attend 'The Night of at Least a Dozen Stars' Benefit on April 27, 1981 at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Beverly Hills, California.
Erik Estrada and Barbara Horan in 1981.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Erik Estrada and Barbara Horan spent the night out in Beverly Hills at the Night of at Least a Dozen Stars benefit on April 27.

12 of 15

Studded Stud

Vince Neil performing with "Motley Crue" at Warfield Theater in San Francisco, California on April 24, 1981.
Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe in 1981.

Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Vince Neil rocked out with his Mötley Crüe bandmates during a performance at Warfield Theater in San Francisco on April 24.

13 of 15

Belting It Out

American Rock singer Ronnie Spector (born Yvette Bennett) performs onstage at Tuts nightclub, Chicago, Illinois, April 28, 1981.
Ronnie Spector in 1981.

Paul Natkin/Getty

Ronnie Spector took her talents to the stage at Tuts nightclub in Chicago for a performance on April 28.

14 of 15

All Smiles

Actor John Schneider attends the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 30, 1981 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
John Schneider in 1981.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

John Schneider wore an unbuttoned ruffled shirt to the 16th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 30 in Los Angeles.

15 of 15

Golden Girl

Bobbie Gentry attends 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 30, 1981 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California
Bobbie Gentry in 1981.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Bobbie Gentry glittered in a gold and amber embellished gown on April 30 at the Academy of Country Music Awards at L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium.

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