The Best of Playboy in the '80s

The new waves of ‘80s influence have passed through music and fashion at least twice since the ‘90s. Tracking the progression can produce some sweeping assumptions that color an entire generation of burgeoning media hounds with the same DayGlo paintbrush. But in reality, the ‘80s were as much about ever-accelerating technology, large-than-life pop culture figures and finding out what comes next as the decade we’re in now. To back that up, we’ve assembled a roster of classic eighties Playboy articles and interviews; an all-star lineup of the movers and shakers of the era, from the brightest minds to the shiniest stars. Rad? Totally rad. play video

• 80 Ways the 80s Will Change Your Life A look forward at the epic 80’s, from the dawn of the decade. Read more
• The TV Villain: Larry Hagman Dallas star Larry Hagman talks villainy, celebrity, and getting shot on primetime television. Read more
• The Reclusive Couple: John Lennon & Yoko Ono The life of an artist from the mouths of two, less than a month after Lennon’s tragic death. Read more
• The Chameleon Comedian: Robin Williams Mork, Popeye or just Robin? The comedy vet turned TV star talks his many personalities. Read more
• The King of the Ring : Sugar Ray Leonard Ever wonder what it’s like to be in a class all your own, even in the upper echelons of pro boxing? Read more
• Cable TV Mogul: Ted Turner The “mouth of the south” sounds off on major league sports, CNN and TBS. Read more
• The Original Minimalist: Calvin Klein “I think fantasies are for birds; anything I wanted to do, I did.” Enough said. Read more
• The PC Innovator: Steve Jobs Our talk with the man who would turn techno-evolution into personal-use revolution. Read more
• The All-Time Hockey Champ: Wayne Gretzky The Great One talks life as an elite athlete on, and off, the ice. Read more
• Teen Idol: Michael J. Fox The Canadian teen dreamboat talk fanatics, groupies and Hollywood homes. Read more