Back to the 1980s - Roller Skating

The 1980s were a golden era for roller skating. People flocked to rinks and quiet suburban streets for fun, fitness, and a sense of freedom. Roller skating wasn’t just a hobby, it was a lifestyle, complete with music, fashion, and Saturday night rituals.

Roller skating itself goes way back to the 18th century, when inventor John Joseph Merlin famously crashed into a mirror while showing off his wheeled shoes, style over safety, clearly an early adopter mindset. The real breakthrough came in 1863 with James Leonard Plimpton’s four wheel “quad” skates, making skating smoother, more stable, and accessible to the masses.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and innovation continued with the rise of inline skates, later branded as Rollerblade®, quietly setting the stage for the next big skating wave.

There wasn’t just one way to roll. Quad skates, the classic four wheel setup, perfect for rinks, dancing, and looking effortlessly cool. Inline skates, faster, sleeker, a bit more sporty ambition. And specialized styles, from artistic skating to speed and later urban and aggressive skating.

And then there was roller disco. A magical mix of skating and disco beats under neon lights, it exploded in the late 70s and 80s, especially in the US. Roller rinks transformed into full on nightlife venues with DJs, competitions, and synchronized routines. Imagine a nightclub, just with wheels.

In Switzerland, things were a bit more low key. Roller rinks and themed events did exist, but without quite reaching the iconic status of places in New York or Chicago. Still, for many kids and teens, skating was a social highlight. I personally missed that era, I was too young, but I did have my own version, endless laps with a girlfriend, interrupted by sitting on the sidewalk, chewing gum, gossiping, and feeling very grown up.

A slightly different, very American skating image were carhops, waiters on roller skates serving food at drive ins. They were huge in the 1940s to 60s and required serious skill, imagine balancing trays while dodging cars. By the 1980s, they had mostly disappeared, but chains like Sonic Drive-In kept the tradition alive. By then, it already felt retro, charming, a little kitschy, and unmistakably Americana. Not something we ever really had in Switzerland.

Style, of course, was half the fun. Think neon colors, shiny fabrics, legwarmers, oversized sweatshirts, and scrunchies. At night, glitter, sequins, bold makeup. By day, casual sporty looks inspired by Flashdance and Fame. And always, personalized skates and accessories to make sure no one missed your entrance onto the rink.

If roller skating had its ultimate cinematic moment, it was Xanadu. Starring Olivia Newton-John and the legendary Gene Kelly in his final film role, it blended disco, fantasy, and plenty of skating into one glittery package. The story follows a struggling artist inspired by a mysterious muse on roller skates to open a nightclub, because of course it does.

The film itself flopped so hard it helped inspire the Golden Raspberry Awards. But the soundtrack was a completely different story. Songs like “Magic” and the title track with Electric Light Orchestra became huge hits. Over time, Xanadu turned into a cult classic, a perfect snapshot of 80s music, style, and roller skating magic.

Beyond Xanadu, rink playlists were all about high energy dance, electro funk, and freestyle. Artists like Debbie Deb, Shannon, Zapp, and Newcleus delivered the perfect beat for rolling laps and showing off your moves.

After fading in the 2000s, roller skating has made a strong comeback. Social media, retro trends, and urban outdoor skating have brought it back into the spotlight. Today, it is rediscovered as a fun, stylish way to stay active, with a clear nod to its 80s roots.

I can personally confirm this comeback. About ten years ago, a friend with unicorn skates inspired me to get my own retro skates, along with what I like to call middle aged lady safety gear, knee pads, elbow pads, and a helmet. Dignity is optional, wrist protection is not.

So tell me, did you ever have your own pair of roller skates, and were you more about smooth cruising or showing off your best moves at the rink? 🛼✨

PS: I promised to share the results for yesterday's self-made 1980s themed Jeopardy questions:

→ What is Los Angeles 1984?

→ What is Bohemian Rhapsody?

→ Who is Ronald Reagan?

→ What is aerobics?

→ What is AIDS?

→ What is Band Aid?

→ What is a fax machine?

→ What is Flashdance?

→ What is the Berlin Wall?

→ What are Air Jordans?