Stuck In The 70s comes to its penultimate close as it takes a look at the final year in a decade full of rock and roll. The year is 1979, the end of an era, and here are a few things that were happening in the music world. Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious is found dead from an overdose. The Sony Walkman goes on sale in Japan. A stampede for general seating for a Who concert at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinatti, OH leads to the tragic death of 11 fans. The song “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang is released marking the commercial rise of the hip-hop genre. These artists released their debut albums in 1979: The B-52’s, Joe Jackson, The Knack, Joy Division, The Soft Boys, The Undertones, The Cure and more! Check out the playlist for some other musical highlights from the year 1979:
The B-52’s – “Rock Lobster” – The B-52’s
Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “Accidents Will Happen” – Armed Forces
Nick Lowe – “American Squirm” – Labour Of Lust
The Records – “Starry Eyes” – Shades In Bed
Squeeze – “Up The Junction” – Cool For Cats
The Cars – “Dangerous Type” – Candy-O
Tubeway Army – “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” – Replicas
Gary Numan – “Cars” – The Pleasure Principle
Roxy Music – “Dance Away” – Manifesto
Talking Heads – “Cities” – Fear Of Music
XTC – “Making Plans For Nigel” – Drums And Wires
The Cure – “10:15 Saturday Night” – Three Imaginary Boys
Joy Division – “Disorder” – Unknown Pleasures
Supertramp – “Goodbye Stranger” – Breakfast In America
Graham Parker & The Rumour – “Discovering Japan” – Squeezing Out Sparks
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “Even The Losers” – Damn The Torpedoes
Cheap Trick – “Dream Police” – Dream Police
Electric Light Orchestra – “Don’t Bring Me Down” – Discovery
The Knack – “My Sharona” – Get The Knack
Joe Jackson – “One More Time” – Look Sharp!
The Beat – “Rock N Roll Girl” – The Beat
The Police – “It’s Alright For You” – Reggatta De Blanc
The Radiators – “Million Dollar Hero” – Ghostown
The Boomtown Rats – “I Don’t Like Mondays” – The Fine Art Of Surfacing
The Undertones – “Teenage Kicks” – The Undertones
Stiff Little Fingers – “Alternative Ulster” – Inflammable Material
Generation X – “Running With The Boss Sound” – Valley Of The Dolls
The Raincoats – “Fairytale In The Supermarket” – The Raincoats
Adam & The Ants – “Digital Tenderness” – Dirk Wears White Sox
Japan – “Quiet Life” – Quiet Life
The Clash – “Clampdown” – London Calling
The Jam – “Eton Rifles” – Setting Sons
Jefferson Starship – “Jane” – Freedom At Point Zero
Van Halen – “Dance The Night Away” – Van Halen II
Foreigner – “Head Games” – Head Games
Rainbow – “Since You Been Gone” – Down To Earth
AC/DC – “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” – Highway To Hell
Triumph – “Lay It On The Line” – Just A Game
Kiss – “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” – Dynasty
Scorpions – “Can’t Get Enough” – Lovedrive
Motorhead – “Overkill” – Overkill
Molly Hatchet – “Flirtin’ With Disaster” – Flirtin’ With Disaster
Aerosmith – “Bone To Bone (Coney Island White Fish Boy)” – Night In The Ruts
ZZ Top – “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” – Deguello
Ian Hunter – “Just Another Night” – You’re Never Alone With A Schizophrenic
John Cougar – “I Need A Lover” – John Cougar
Eagles – “In The City” – The Long Run
Fleetwood Mac – “Tusk” – Tusk
Van Morrison – “Bright Side Of The Road” – Into The Music
Neil Young – “Powderfinger” – Rust Never Sleeps
Led Zeppelin – “In The Evening” – In Through The Out Door
Pink Floyd – “Comfortably Numb” – The Wall
Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” – Off The Wall