From Atari to ZZ Top: An Alphabet Guide to the ’80s

I like to think of myself as an expert on the 1980s, and there’s a simple reason for that: I loved the decade. I wore parachute pants, carried a Trapper Keeper, and drained the batteries on my Walkman more times than I can count.

Even then, I could tell the ’80s felt different from the ’70s, and when the ’90s arrived, it was clear that decade had a different feel from the ’80s as well. I’ve also written a lot about the era, from ’80s TV theme songs and the real-life places from movies and TV shows I wanted to visit, to the coolest features on ’80s cars and the ways we used to listen to music that many of us still miss.

These three co-starred in the movie we chose for X on our ’80s A-to-Z list. Any guesses?

That’s why I’m always looking for new ways to break down what may have been the most unforgettable decade in American culture, and this time I set myself a challenge.

The task was to pick one iconic ’80s person, place, thing, or trend for every letter of the alphabet. It turned out to be harder than it sounds.

Some Letters Were Easy. Some Weren’t.

Some letters offered plenty of choices. C forced a decision between dolls and bears, while Q became a debate between quintessential rockets and a video game character. Other letters were surprisingly sparse — U especially. You might assume X would be the toughest, but for an Olivia Newton-John fan who loves roller skating, it was probably the easiest choice on the whole list. Was that hint too obvious?

So let’s begin. As you already know, we start with a video game system and finish with one of the greatest rock groups in history. That’s quite a range. I’ve also included some runners-up in case you disagree with any of the picks.

The ’80s A to Z: 26 Things That Defined the Decade

Can you identify our choice for each letter of the alphabet in this ultimate trip through 1980s pop culture, from Atari to ZZ Top?

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

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