Vintage Photos of Eddie Van Halen, Heart and More '80s Stars

American musician, songwriter, producer, and inventor Eddie Van Halen (1955-2020) plays his custom Frankenstrat guitar at Cobo Arena during Van Halen's "Fair Warning Tour" on July 4, 1981, in Detroit, Michigan. — Eddie Van Halen onstage in 1981. Photo:
Ross Marino/Getty

Hollywood's globetrotting A-listers celebrated Independence Day 1981 in style — whether or not they were in the U.S.

Van Halen's Eddie Van Halen and Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson rocked July 4th crowds in California and Michigan, while Cheryl Tiegs turned out for a good cause in Montauk, Long Island. But even across the pond the holiday was a big deal. John McEnroe won big on the final day of the Wimbledon Championships, and British actor Michael Caine hosted an Independence Day party in London with a star-studded guest list that included Ringo Starr and Jack Nicholson.

Take a trip back to the summer of 1981 to see what the hottest stars of the decade were up to the week of July 4th.

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Round of Applause

Diana The Princess of Wales at Wimbledon Tennis Championships Centre Court Royal box July 1, 1981 — Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
Colorsport/Shutterstock

In the run-up to her July 29 wedding to Prince Charles, Lady Diana Spencer celebrated her 20th birthday by taking in some tennis at the Wimbledon Championships on July 1 in London.

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Ladies' Night

Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton (left) Sighting - New York City - July 1, 1981 — Elizabeth Taylor with Maureen Stapleton in 1981.
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Elizabeth Taylor was spotted out on the town in New York City with an apparently camera-shy Maureen Stapleton on July 1.

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Heavenly Smile

Brooke Adams pictured in New York City on July 1, 1981. — Brooke Adams in 1981.
Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty

Days of Heaven star Brooke Adams was also out and about in New York City on July 1.

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Diner in London

Dustin Hoffman with His Wife Lisa Gottsegen outside Langans Brasserie, Mayfair - 02 Jul 1981 — Dustin Hoffman and wife Lisa Gottsegen in 1981.
Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

Across the pond, Dustin Hoffman and wife Lisa Gottsegen grabbed a bite at Langan's Brasserie in London's tony Mayfair district on July 2.

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Go for Gold

American tennis player Chris Evert Lloyd holds the winner's trophy after the Final of the Women's Singles tournament at Wimbledon, All England Lawn Tennis Club, London, July 3rd 1981. — Chris Evert Lloyd in 1981.
Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty

A triumphant Chris Evert Lloyd held aloft her trophy after winning the women's singles tournament final at Wimbledon in London on July 3.

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Singles and Loving It

4th July 1981: American tennis player John McEnroe raises his arms in triumph on winning the men's singles title on the Centre Court at Wimbledon. He beat Bjorn Borg in four sets. — John McEnroe in 1981.
Central Press/Getty

The following day, John McEnroe scored another win for the U.S., trouncing Swedish tennis great Björn Borg in the men's singles tournament at Wimbledon.

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Green Machine

Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads perform at the 'Days On The Green' concert at the Oakland Coliseum on July 4, 1981 in Oakland, California. — Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads in 1981.
Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Day 1 of the 1981 Day on the Green concert saw Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Randy Rhoads rocking the crowd gathered at the Oakland Coliseum on July 4.

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Rock Star and Stripes

Ann Wilson performing with Heart at the Oakland Coliseum Stadium on July 4, 1981. — Ann Wilson in 1981.
Clayton Call/Redferns

Heart singer Ann Wilson eschewed the traditional red, white and blue for a different set of stripes onstage at the Oakland Coliseum Stadium on July 4.

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Guitar She-ro

Nancy Wilson performing with Heart at the Oakland Coliseum Stadium on July 4, 1981. — Nancy Wilson in 1981.
Clayton Call/Redferns

Meanwhile, Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson went crazy on her axe during the band's performance.

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Brunch Rush

American actor Tom Selleck sits on a patio during a brunch at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, California, July 1981. — Tom Selleck in 1981.
Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty

The dashing Tom Selleck enjoyed a summer brunch on the patio of the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.

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Rad, White and Blue

Van Halen lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen showed off his patriotism during a July 4th concert at Detroit's Cobo Arena on the band's Fair Warning Tour.

12 of 19

Foreign Affair

Independence Day Party at Langans Brasserie, Mayfair - Ringo Starr with His Wife Barbara Bach — Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach in 1981.
Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr accompanied his American wife, model Barbara Bach, to an Independence Day party hosted by Michael Caine at London's Langan's Brasserie.

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Never a Dull Moment

Jack Nicholson attends Independence Day Party hosted by Michael Caine at Langans Brasserie, Mayfair - 04 Jul 1981 — Jack Nicholson in 1981.
Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

The Shining star Jack Nicholson was also in London for Michael Caine's Independence Day party looking effortlessly cool in his signature shades.

14 of 19

Friends with Benefits

Cheryl Tiegs and Peter Beard attend Friends of the Montauk Library Benefit on July 4, 1981 at Montauk Park in Montauk, New York — Cheryl Tiegs and Peter Beard in 1981.
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Cheryl Tiegs spent July 4 signing posters for a good cause as artist Peter Beard looked on at the Friends of the Montauk Library Benefit on Long Island, New York.

15 of 19

There She Blows

First Lady Nancy Reagan blowing out birthday candles during a party to celebrate Independence Day as President Ronald Reagan, Earle Jorgensen and William Wilson look on — First Lady Nancy Reagan in 1981.
Alamy

President Ronald Reagan and guests looked on as First Lady Nancy Reagan blew out the candles on a cake celebrating the 205th birthday of the United States in Mount Vernon, Virginia.

16 of 19

Hall of Fame

Singer Mick Jagger and model Jerry Hall attending "Birthday Party for Jerri Hall" on July 5, 1981 at the Xenon Disco in New York City, New York. — Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger in 1981.
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

The U.S. wasn't the only thing celebrating a July birthday. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and longtime partner Jerry Hall made a striking pair at a party celebrating the model and actress's 25th birthday at New York City's Xenon Disco.

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