I remember it well!
Mom wanted to watch DS because she liked Joan Bennett, so I watched it with her, even though I kind of resented this new show for replacing NEVER TOO YOUNG, which I'd been getting into.
Mom wasn't terribly enthused, but I was, and watched from that day on with great excitement. Ghosts on a daytime soap? A Phoenix? A homicidal child? I loved it!
When Barnabas joined the show, I was totally enraptured. A handsome, courtly, homicidal vampire who felt badly about what he did? Cool!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DARK SHADOWS!
Love, Robin