1980 in music
See also: 1979 in music, other events of 1980, 1981 in music and the list of 'years in music'.
Events
- February 2 - At the age of 45, songwriter Larry Williams is found dead in his Los Angles, California home of a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators are never able to determine whether his death was a murder or suicide.
- February 8 - David Bowie and his wife of nearly 10 years, Angie, file for divorce. Bowie gets custody of their 9 year old son, Zowie
- December 8 - John Lennon is shot and killed outside of his apartment building in New York City.
- Phil Collins' carrer begins
Albums Released
- Back in Black - AC/DC
- Kurtis Blow - Kurtis Blow
- Catholic Boy - Jim Carroll Band
- XIV - Chicago
- Humans - Bruce Cockburn
- Get Happy!!! - Elvis Costello & the Attractions
- Self-Titled - Christopher Cross
- Freedom of Choice - Devo
- Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables - Dead Kennedys
- Making Movies - Dire Straits
- Live - The Eagles
- Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel
- After Dark - Andy Gibb
- Voices - Daryl Hall & John Oates
- Roses in the Snow - Emmylou Harris
- Sound Effects - The Jam
- A - Jethro Tull
- 21 at 33 - Elton John
- Departure - Journey
- Dream After Dream - Journey
- Closer - Joy Division
- British Steel - Judas Priest
- Double Fantasy - John Lennon & Yoko Ono
- Xanadu (soundtrack by Olivia Newton-John, Electric Light Orchestra)
- The Pretenders - The Pretenders
- Dirty Mind - Prince
- Second Edition - Public Image Ltd.
- The Specials - The Specials
- The River - Bruce Springsteen
- Gaucho - Steely Dan
- Remain in Light - Talking Heads
- Empty Glass - Pete Townshend
- Boy - U2
- Women And Children First - Van Halen
- Hotter than July - Stevie Wonder
Top Hits
- "Breaking The Law" - Judas Priest
- "Metal Gods" - Judas Priest
- "Living After Midnight" - Judas Priest
- "(Just Like) Starting Over" - John Lennon
- "Sailing" - Christopher Cross
- "Woman in Love" - Barbra Streisand
- "Magic" - Olivia Newton-John
- "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen
- "Upside Down" - Diana Ross
- "Rock with You" - Michael Jackson
- "Funkytown" - Lipps, Inc.
- "Call Me" - Blondie
- "Lady" - Kenny Rogers
- "Another Brick In The Wall" - Pink Floyd
- "Another One Bites The Dust" - Queen
- "You May Be Right" - Billy Joel
- "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" - Pat Benatar
- "Hungry Heart" - Bruce Springsteen
- "Train In Vain" - The Clash
- "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" - Billy Joel
- "Drivin' My Life Away" - Eddie Rabbit
- "I'm Alright" - Kenny Loggins
- "We Don't Talk Anymore" - Cliff Richard
Births
- January 28 - Nick Carter, The Backstreet Boys
- February 27 - Cyrus Bolooki, New Found Glory
- March 21 - Deryck Whibley, Sum 41
- June 20 - Tony Lovato, Mest
- July 26 - Dave Baksh, Sum 41
- November 17 - Clarke Isaac Hanson, Hanson
- December 18 - Christina Aguilera