Timeline April 1983

Events in April 1983 16

• 1899 – 1983 Gloria Swanson (1899-1983) Died 4 April 1983, aged 84 Gloria Swanson was an American actress who was one of the most prominent stars of silent film before achieving a late-career triumph as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Her career spanned over five decades in Hollywood. She remained an enduring icon of the silent film era.
• 1904 – 1983 George Balanchine (1904-1983) Died 30 April 1983, aged 79 George Balanchine was a Georgian-American choreographer who co-founded the New York City Ballet and is considered one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century ballet. He pioneered a neoclassical style that reshaped American dance. His works remain core repertoire for ballet companies worldwide.
• 1904 – 1983 Dolores del Río (1904-1983) Mexican actress, a Hollywood star of the 1920s and 1930s and later the great lady of Mexican cinema.
• 1908 – 1983 Buster Crabbe (1908-1983) American Olympic swimmer turned actor, the screen's Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers.
• 1913 – 1983 Muddy Waters (1913-1983) Died 30 April 1983, aged 70 Muddy Waters was an American blues musician widely regarded as the father of modern Chicago blues and a major influence on rock and roll. His electrified blues style shaped generations of musicians, including the Rolling Stones, who took their name from one of his songs. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after his death.
• 1983 Metallica fire Dave Mustaine Kirk Hammett joins Mustaine goes on to form Megadeth.
• 1983 Murmur -- the debut album Murmur, released in April 1983, is voted Album of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine -- beating Michael Jackson's Thriller. The album's sound is defined by deliberate mystery: Stipe's vocals are mixed low and his lyrics are intentionally indistinct, creating the impression of meaning just out of reach. Buck's guitar playing -- influenced by the Byrds' Roger McGuinn but more aggressive -- creates a jangly, chiming texture that defines the sound called 'college rock' or 'alternative rock.' 'Radio Free Europe' (re-recorded), 'Perfect Circle' and 'Talk About the Passion' are its centrepieces.
• 1983 Dolores del Río dies in Newport Beach Dolores del Río dies aged 78.
• 1983 David Bowie releases Let's Dance Commercial peak Produced by Nile Rodgers — his best-selling album.
• 1983 Pretenders' former bassist Pete Farndon dies Second loss The second founding member to die in a year.
• 1983 Stevie Ray Vaughan plays on David Bowie's Let's Dance Session guitarist His solos are all over Bowie's biggest album.
• 1983 1983 World Snooker Championship Steve Davis Title 2 Winner: Steve Davis; Runner-up: Cliff Thorburn. Score: 18–6.
• 1983 US Embassy Bombing in Beirut Suicide truck bomb kills 63 at the American embassy A suicide bomber drove a van packed with explosives into the US embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people including 17 Americans. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility amid Lebanon's civil war. The attack was a precursor to the larger barracks bombings later that year.
• 1983 Buster Crabbe dies in Scottsdale Buster Crabbe dies aged 75.
• 1983 Hitler Diaries Exposed as Forgery German magazine Stern's exclusive unravels within days Stern magazine published excerpts of supposed diaries of Adolf Hitler, purchased for millions of marks, as a publishing sensation. Within days forensic analysis proved the paper and ink postdated the war, exposing an elaborate forgery by Konrad Kujau. The scandal humiliated Stern and historian Hugh Trevor-Roper, who had vouched for their authenticity.
• 1983 Muddy Waters dies Westmont, Illinois Dies in his sleep near Chicago.