The NBA All-Star Game returns to Indianapolis with plenty of action on and off the court. This game marks the return of Circle City after nearly 40 years.
Forty years is a long time, and it makes us nostalgic and wonder what life was like in the mid-eighties. Here’s a quick trip down memory lane in case you forgot (or weren’t lucky enough to be there).
In February 1985, Bob Knight threw away his famous chair
On February 23, 1985, Indiana coach Bob Knight turned a chair into a projectile during a basketball game against Purdue University. The chair turned towards the photographer sitting on the baseline. Knight was ejected after five minutes of the Hoosiers’ 72-63 loss to Purdue and was suspended for one game.
Michael Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins in dunk contest
The 1985 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Indianapolis was an era of great basketball legends and competitors. Michael Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins. Julius Erving vs. Larry Nance and David Thompson. The court witnessed many Basketball Hall of Famers and All-Star players.
Jordan vs. Dominic:When Indianapolis hosts the best dunk contest ever
How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1985?
How happy would you be if gas cost $1.13 per gallon today?
This is the cost of unleaded fuel in the Midwest in February 1985, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While that price sounds attractive today, it wasn’t so great for drivers in the 1980s. The cost of a gallon of gas in 1985 was $1.13, which is about $3.29 today, adjusted for inflation.
What was the most popular car of 1985?
According to Car and Driver magazine, the most popular car in 1985 was the Chevrolet Cavalier. It ranked No. 1 in sales for the second consecutive year with 422,927 units sold and was available in five body styles: convertible, coupe, hatchback, sedan and station wagon.
How fuel efficient were cars in 1985?
According to data analysis by Stacker.com, the 1980s was a period when environmental awareness began to take root in people’s hearts. After Congress introduced the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, the federal government turned its attention to the automotive industry to improve fuel economy standards.
In 1985, the average passenger car mileage jumped from 13.5 miles per gallon to 27.5 miles per gallon.
What were the popular songs on the radio in 1985?
If you were driving a Chevy Cavalier around Indianapolis for the All-Star Game in the mid-1980s, chances are you had a very recognizable saxophone tune playing on your radio. Wham!’s “Careless Whisper,” featuring George Michael, was the No. 3 song on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of the competition.
Ranking No. 1 is “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner. Here are the other top 10 chart-toppers, according to Billboard:
- I want to know what love is – foreigner
- Easy Lover – Philip Bailey and Phil Collins
- Careless Whisper – Bang!with george michael
- Lover Boy – Billy Ocean
- Boys of Summer – Don Henley
- You are an inspiration – Chicago
- A Modern Approach to Love – Daryl Hall and John Oates
- Neutron Dance – Pointer Sisters
- Like a Virgin – Madonna
- I will die 4 you – Prince
What was the cost of groceries in the Midwest in 1985?
Going to the grocery store was a different experience in the 1980s than it is today. So is the price.
This is what a Midwestern grocery bill looked like in February 1985, including prices adjusted for today’s inflation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- fresh eggsGrade A (1 dozen): $0.72 ($2.09 in 2024 dollars)
- a loaf of white bread (£1): $0.52 ($1.51 in 2024 dollars)
- bacon slices (£1): $1.87 ($5.44 in 2024 dollars)
- Ground beef100%, (1 lb): $1.26 ($3.67 in 2024 dollars)
- Potatowhite (1 lb): $0.20 ($0.58 in 2024 USD)
- fresh whole milk (1/2 Gallon): $1.13 ($3.29 in 2024 dollars)
- ice cream (1/2 Gallon): $2.03 ($5.91 in 2024 USD)
- bananaper pound: $0.37 ($1.08 in 2024 dollars)
- peanut butter (£1): $1.47 ($4.28 in 2024 dollars)
- coffee100% ground roast (1 pound): $2.50 ($7.27 in 2024 dollars)
Forget pineapple on pizza:Can peanut butter be put on cheeseburgers? We tried one, which you can buy here in Indianapolis.
In 1985, basketball socks were slightly higher and shorts were shorter
Filming of the movie “Hoosiers” began in 1985
The movie “Hoosiers” is based on the true story of the 1954 Milan state championship team, starring Gene Hackman as the head coach of a small-town Indiana basketball team. This is one of the most popular sports movies in the country, and for good reason.
Filming began in 1985 at the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown. Tour groups still come here to see where the movie magic happens.
Insider:Uncovering the little-known stories of “Indians”
What was the #1 movie of February 1985?
1985 was probably one of the greatest years for Hollywood movie releases. Audiences were excited about “Back to the Future,” laughed at “Police Academy 2” and National Lampoon’s “European Vacation,” and were introduced to “The Breakfast Club.” Sylvester Stallone starred in “First Blood” and “Rocky IV,” and 1985 also saw the release of “The Goonies,” “Cocoon,” “The Color Purple” and “Spies Like Us.”
But the movie most people will probably watch during the NBA All-Star Game is an action-comedy movie starring Eddie Murphy. Released in December 1984, “Beverly Hills Cop” was the top-grossing film in February 1985, taking in more than $36 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
According to Box Office Mojo, here are the ten highest-grossing films at the domestic box office during the same period:
- Beverly Hills Cop – $36.3 million
- Witness – $20.8 million
- The Killing Fields – $15.3 million
- A Nightmare on Elm Street – $14.7 million
- Tour of India – $12.7 million
- Tomboy – $12.4 million
- The Breakfast Club – $11.2 million
- The Falcon and the Snowman – $10.2 million
- Hoax – $7 million
- Amadeus – $6.3 million
Who won the 1985 Indy 500?
In 1985, with about 80 laps left in the Indy 500, Danny “Spin and Win” Sullivan spun in front of Mario Andretti and won the Indy. 500 mile race, and told reporters “someone was looking out for him” shortly after winning in a video clip. Courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indiana football games in the 1980s electrified crowds
What was in the news in February 1985?
On February 10, 1985, the 35th NBA All-Star Game was held in Indianapolis. The Western Team defeated the Eastern Team 140-129. A day later, world news reported that the Soviet Union had conducted a nuclear test in eastern Kazakhstan, according to onthisday.com. Other notable dates include the following events:
- February 2 – Brian Boitano wins the U.S. men’s figure skating championship.
- February 4 – 20 countries (except the United States) sign a United Nations treaty banning torture.
- February 7 – “New York, New York” becomes the official national anthem of New York City.
- February 14 – Whitney Houston releases her debut album and CNN reporter Jeremy Levin is released from prison in Beirut.
- February 15th – “The Breakfast Club” is released. The film was written and directed by John Hughes and stars Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall and Ally Sheedy.
- February 17 – First class postage increases from 20 cents to 22 cents per stamp.
- February 19th – Mickey Mouse comes to China. William Schroeder was the first patient to be discharged from the hospital with an artificial heart disease. I spent 15 minutes outside Humana Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.
- February 23 – Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight throws a chair onto the court.
- February 24 – Jim Kelly sets a career football record with 574 yards.
- February 26 – “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” by Tina Turner wins Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Even though it happened in January, 1985 turned out to be a better year for the San Francisco 49ers, who, led by Joe Montana, won the Super Bowl against Stanford. Stadium defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-16.
Fish out of water? Indiana Swimming Holes in the 1980s
The Indianapolis Zoo in the 1980s was a different story
Are you laughing or angry? :Travis Kelce yelling at Andy Reid has now become a meme. What was your reaction?
John Tufts covers breaking news for the Indianapolis Star.Please send him news tips at JTufts@Gannett.com.