1978 in music
See also: 1977 in music, other events of 1978, 1979 in music and the list of 'years in music'.
Events
- January 18 - As the band is leaving for London, The Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious is removed unconscious from their plane in New York and rushed to a hospital. Vicious is treated for an overdose of barbituates and alcohol
- January 23 - Chicago guitarist and vocalist Terry Kath dies after accidentally shooting himself in the head with a pistol.
- January 28 - The Doobie Brothers make a guest appearance on the television show What's Happening!.
- January 31 - Blood Sweat & Tears saxophonist Greg Herbert dies of an accidental drug overdose in Amsterdam during the band's European tour
- February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California
- February 13 - "Al Green Day" is declared in Los Angeles, California
- February 22 - Sex Pistol Sid Vicious and girlfriend Nancy Spungen are arrested by police in their room at New York's Chelsea Hotel on charges of drug possesion
- February 22 - The Police appear in a television commercial for Wrigley's chewing gum
- March 15 - American Hot Wax, a film about rock & roll disc jockey Alan Freed, premieres in New York.
- March 23 - The Police sign a contract with A&M Records.
- March 30 - The Clash's Paul Simonon and Topper Headon are arrested in London for shooting pigeons from the rooftop of a rehearsal hall
- April 19 - More than 40 rock & roll artists sign a petition which is presented to US President Jimmy Carter, urging him to end the country's commitment to nuclear power. Artists signing the petition included Jackson Browne, the Doobie Brothers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor and others
- April 22 - The Blues Brothers make their first appearance on Saturday Night Live. The duo of Jake & Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) was introduced by Paul Shaffer (as Don Kirschner) and performed "Hey Bartender".
- April 26 - Ringo Starr's, Ringo, a musical version of The Prince and the Pauper airs on American television. Starr's fellow former Beatle George Harrison provides the narration.
- May - The Knack forms
- Sony introduces the first portable stereo, which is called the Walkman.
- Gary Busey stars in The Buddy Holly Story, which won the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Busey) and Best Sound.
- The Beatles spoof, The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash airs on television.
- The Eagles' 5-star record, Hotel California was nominated for a Grammy award
- Steve Martin performs the original "King Tut" on Saturday Night Live. The song is later released as a single and becomes a hit for the comedian.
- Van Halen records Van Halen II, which will be a blockbuster album in 1979
- Former Richie Furay percussionist Alex MacDougall joins Daniel Amos
- Van Halen's musical career begins
- Tori Amos' musical career begins
- Def Leppard's musical career begins
- Christopher Cross's musical career begins
- The Police's career begins
- Prince's musical career begins
- Zebra's musical career begins
- The Beastie Boys form
- The Descendants form
- Duran Duran form
- Hüsker Dü form
- The Pretenders form
- Social Distortion form
- The The form
- Young Marble Giants form in Cardiff, Wales
- The Buggles sign a contract with Island Records
Albums Released
- Third and Sister Lovers - Big Star
- Never Say Die! - Black Sabbath
- Parallel Lines - Blondie
- Plastic Letters - Blondie
- Some Enchanted Evening - Blue Oyster Cult
- Don't Look Back - Boston
- Running on Empty - Jackson Browne
- The Cars - The Cars
- C'est Chic - Chic
- Hot Streets - Chicago
- Backless - Eric Clapton
- Slowhand - Eric Clapton
- Give 'Em Enough Rope - The Clash
- This Year's Model - Elvis Costello
- The Feeding Of The Five Thousand - Crass (debut)
- Q-Are We Not Men? A-We Are Devo - Devo
- Dire Straits - Dire Straits
- Minute by Minute - Doobie Brothers
- American Prayer - The Doors
- New Boots & Panties - Ian Dury & the Blockheads
- Works Volume II - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
- Love Beach - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
- One Nation Under a Groove - Funkadelic
- Peter Gabriel II - Peter Gabriel
- Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb
- Deep in the Night - Etta James
- Ready for the House - Jandek
- A Single Man - Elton John
- Heavy Horses - Jethro Tull
- Live --- Bursting Out - Jethro Tull
- Infinity - Journey
- Hell Bent for Leather - Judas Priest
- Stained Class - Judas Priest
- Point of Know Return - Kansas
- Double Platinum - Kiss
- Nightwatch - Kenny Loggins
- Babylon on the Bus - Bob Marley
- Exodus - Bob Marley
- Kaya - Bob Marley
- Book of Dreams - Steve Miller Band
- Greatest Hits - Steve Miller Band
- The Modern Dance - Pere Ubu
- Long Live Rock 'N' Roll - Rainbow
- Some Girls - The Rolling Stones
- Hemispheres - Rush
- Stranger in Town - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
- Boys in the Trees - Carly Simon
- Darkness on the Edge of Town - Bruce Springsteen
- Pieces of Eight - Styx
- Move It on Over - George Thorogood
- Bush Doctor - Peter Tosh
- Obsession - UFO
- Van Halen I - Van Halen
- Heavy Weather - Weather Report
- Mr. Gone - Weather Report
- Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon
Top Hits
- "A Little More Love" - Olivia Newton-John
- "Bad Boy" - Ringo Starr
- "Birdland" - Weather Report
- "Ego" - Elton John
- "Gold Dust Woman" - Fleetwood Mac
- "Grease" - Frankie Valli
- "Hot Child In The City" - Nick Gilder
- "Jungle Love" - Steve Miller Band
- "Last Dance" - Donna Summer
- "Lights" - Journey
- "Movin' Out" - Billy Joel
- "Night Fever" - The Bee Gees
- "One More For The Rodeo" - UFO
- "Part-Time Love" - Elton John
- "R.U. Ready 2 Rock" - Blue Oyster Cult
- "Running On Empty" - Jackson Browne
- "Straight On" - Heart
- "Still The Same" - Bob Seger
- "Stayin' Alive" - The Bee Gees
- "Three Little Birds" - Bob Marley
For a more complete list of hits by month, see here.
Births
- ? - Kris Roe, The Ataris
- March 11 - Joel, Good Charlotte
- April 22 - Daniel Johns, Silverchair
- May 1 - Matt Lovato, Mest
- August 23 - Julian Casablancas, The Strokes
- August 28 - Max Collins, Eve 6
- September 13 - Fiona Apple
- September 30 - Steve Klein, New Found Glory
- October 14 - Usher
- November 9 - Sisqo
- December 1 - Brad Delson, Linkin Park
Deaths
- January 23 - Terry Kath, Chicago guitarist and vocalist
- January 31 - Greg Herbert, Blood Sweat & Tears saxophonist
- August 24 - Louis Prima
- Keith Moon, drummer for The Who