1980 was the beginning of one of the coolest decades of history.

Iowa had a Final Four run in basketball with a legendary team.

Kids--and adults--spent their nights frustrated and entertained for hours on end as the Rubik's Cube began to hit its stride.

Cordless phones were a new invention.

Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush won the Iowa Caucuses, though it was Ronald Reagan who went on to occupy the White House for the next 8 years.

Median income was $17,710 and the average cost of a new home?  Just $76,400.

The largest television viewing audience on record at the time sat on the edges of their seats to learn who shot J.R. on DallasIts competition included The Dukes of Hazzard and M*A*S*H.

We got our first glimpses of how "choice" the music was going to be for the next ten years.

But as cool as the music of the 80s was, Imagine how much better it could have been if not for a hugely tragic loss. The legendary John Lennon died in 1980 and the music world was never the same.

Share your highlights--and lowlights from 1980 with us in the comments. Join 104-5 KDAT for more music and pop culture memories from the 1980s every Monday-Friday at Noon with the Retro Cafe!

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