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1979 in heavy metal music
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1979
1979 heavy metal music
This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 1979.
Bands formed
220 Volt
A II Z
Atomkraft
Axe
Boss
Chorny Kofe
Cloven Hoof
Crimson Glory
Deep Machine
Demon
Europe
Exodus
Faith No More (as Sharp Young Men)
Fallout
Fishbone
Girl
Grim Reaper
Hanoi Rocks
Headpins
Hollow Ground
Icon
Jaguar
The Joe Perry Project
Kat
Killer
Killing Joke
Loverboy
Nightmare
Night Ranger
Persian Risk
Picture
Pomaranča
The Revoulations
Saint Vitus
Salem
Satan
Savatage (as Avatar)
Michael Schenker Group
Shark Island
Sheriff
Spinal Tap (as actual)
Sweet Savage
Tokyo Blade
Trouble
TSA
T.T. Quick
V8
Vicious Rumors
Witchfinder General
Bands disbanded
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
The Runaways
Events
In the May issue of Sounds magazine, music journalist Geoff Barton wrote about the emerging scene at the Bandwagon Rock Club in Kingsbury, North London. It was in this article that the term "New Wave of British Heavy Metal" was first introduced, coined by Sounds editor Alan Lewis.
Black Sabbath parted ways with lead singer Ozzy Osbourne due to his persistent drug abuse issues. He was replaced by Ronnie James Dio.
Tensions within Aerosmith reached a boiling point when lead singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry engaged in a heated confrontation after a show in Cleveland, leading Perry to depart from the band.
Dennis Stratton joined Iron Maiden as the second guitarist, while Clive Burr took over drumming duties, replacing Doug Sampson.
Guitarist Michael Schenker departed from Scorpions, and Matthias Jabs was brought in as his permanent replacement.
Deaths
February 2 – John Simon Ritchie, better known by his stage name Sid Vicious, former bassist of Sex Pistols, died from a drug overdose at the age of 21.
March 22 – Clayborn Pinkins, founding member and bassist of Black Death, was murdered by gunshot at the age of 25.
June 21 – Angus William MacLise, original drummer of The Velvet Underground, died from hypoglycemia and pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 41.
Albums
January
Day Artist Album 16AcceptAcceptDef LeppardThe Def Leppard E.P.NazarethNo Mean CityUFOStrangers in the Night (live album)
February
Day Artist Album 28Judas PriestHell Bent For Leather (US) ScorpionsLovedriveBachman-Turner OverdriveRock n' Roll Nights
March
Day Artist Album7BlackfootStrikes16MotörheadOverkill23Van HalenVan Halen IITriumphJust a Game
April
Day Artist Album 13Thin LizzyBlack Rose: A Rock Legend
May
Day Artist AlbumSaxonSaxonTrustTrust
June
Day Artist Album 19Blue Öyster CultMirrors 22QueenLive Killers (live album)SamsonSurvivors
July
Day Artist Album 10The KinksLow Budget 27AC/DCHighway to HellGammaGamma 1Golden EarringNo Promises...No Debts
August
Day Artist Album 3RainbowDown to Earth 22Led ZeppelinIn Through the Out Door
September
Day Artist Album 11ForeignerHead Games 14Jethro TullStormwatch21WhitesnakeLovehunterJudas PriestUnleashed in the East (live album)Molly HatchetFlirtin' with DisasterSammy HagarStreet Machine
October
Day Artist Album 1SladeReturn to Base 12MotörheadBomberGillanMr. UniverseMagnumMagnum II
November
Day Artist Album 2MotörheadOn Parole 9Iron MaidenThe Soundhouse Tapes (EP)16AerosmithNight in the RutsThe Hand of DoomPoisonoise
Unknown release date
Artist AlbumGravestoneDoomsdayLegendFröm the FjördsMassSlaughter HouseSilvertrainWhich Platform Please?TKOLet It Roll
Heavy Metal Timeline 1978 1980 1979
References
Category:1970s in heavy metal music
Metal