This is the year 1978 on Stuck In The 70s. Let’s see what was happening in rock and roll music. The Blues Brothers make their first official appearance as musical guests on Saturday Night Live. Psychobilly progenitors The Cramps play a free concert for patients at the Napa State Mental Hospital in California. Kenny Rogers releases his single “The Gambler” and goes on to star in a total of five films based on the song. Keith Moon dies in London from a prescription drug overdose at the age of 32. Some music films premiering in 1978 include Grease, The Buddy Holly Story, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and The Wiz. Debut albums are released from Devo, Generation X, Nick Lowe, Kate Bush, Dire Straits, Public Image Ltd., The Cars, Van Halen and more! Check out the playlist for some other musical highlights from the year 1978:
Dire Straits – “Down To The Waterline” – Dire Straits
Bruce Springsteen – “Badlands” – Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Wings – “I’ve Had Enough” – London Town
The Rolling Stones – “When The Whip Comes Down” – Some Girls
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “I Need To Know” – You’re Gonna Get It
Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now” – Jazz
Cheap Trick – “Surrender” – Heaven Tonight
Nick Lowe – “So It Goes” – Jesus Of Cool
Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “Pump It Up” – This Year’s Model
Talking Heads – “Take Me To The River” – More Songs About Buildings And Food
Sweet – “Love Is Like Oxygen” – Level Headed
Genesis – “Scenes From A Night’s Dream” – And Then There Were Three
Rush – “La Villa Strangiato” – Hemispheres
The Only Ones – “Another Girl, Another Planet” – The Only Ones
The Adverts – “No Time To Be 21” – Crossing The Red Sea With The Adverts
Devo – “Uncontrollable Urge” – Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo!
Buzzcocks – “I Don’t Mind” – Another Music In A Different Kitchen
The Police – “Next To You” – Outlandos D’Amour
The Clash – “Tommy Gun” – Give ‘Em Enough Rope
Generation X – “Kiss Me Deadly” – Generation X
Tubeway Army – “Listen To The Sirens” – Tubeway Army
Wire – “I Am The Fly” – Chairs Missing
XTC – “This Is Pop?” – White Music
Magazine – “Shot By Both Sides” – Real Life
The Stranglers – “Toiler On The Sea” – Black And White
Public Image Ltd. – “Public Image” – First Issue
The Jam – “Down In The Station At Midnight” – All Mod Cons
Heart – “Straight On” – Dog & Butterfly
Blondie – “Sunday Girl” – Parallel Lines
The Rezillos – “Top Of The Pops” – Can’t Stand The Rezillos
X-Ray Spex – “I Can’t Do Anything” – Germfree Adolescents
Siouxsie And The Banshees – “Mirage” – The Scream
Patti Smith – “Till Victory” – Easter
Kate Bush – “Wuthering Heights” – The Kick Inside
Todd Rundgren – “Can We Still Be Friends?” – Hermit Of Mink Hollow
Warren Zevon – “Accidentally Like A Martyr” – Excitable Boy
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band – “Still The Same” – Stranger In Town
The Doobie Brothers – “What A Fool Believes” – Minute By Minute
George Thorogood And The Destroyers – “Move It On Over” – Move It On Over
Molly Hatchet – “Bounty Hunter” – Molly Hatchet
Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Down South Jukin'” – Skynyrd’s First and… Last
Eric Clapton – “If I Don’t Be There By Morning” – Backless
Black Sabbath – “Never Say Die” – Never Say Die
Rainbow – “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll” – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll
Judas Priest – “White Heat, Red Hot” – Stained Class
AC/DC – “Riff Raff” – Powerage
Van Halen – “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” – Van Halen
Styx – “Renegade” – Pieces Of Eight
Toto – “I’ll Supply The Love” – Toto
Journey – “Feeling That Way / Anytime” – Infinity
Boston – “Feelin’ Satisfied” – Don’t Look Back
REO Speedwagon – “Roll With The Changes” – You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish
The Cars – “Just What I Needed” – The Cars