1980 in music

List of years in music (table)
Years in music: 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983
Centuries: 19th century · 20th century · 21st century
Decades: 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
Years: 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1980.

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

January–March

April–June

July–September

October–December

Also in 1980

  • The Roland Corporation releases the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which became a cornerstone of the emerging electronic, dance, and hip hop genres. The machine went on to become one of the most influential instruments in popular music, comparable to the Fender Stratocaster's influence on rock.[6][7]
  • Record labels established in 1980
  • Record labels disestablished in 1980
  • The single "Groovy Ghost Show" by Casper is one of the first recorded hip hop songs from Chicago.
  • British comedy group The Hee Bee Gee Bees release "Meaningless Songs (in Very High Voices)", a parody of a Bee Gees' disco-style single. Though not a hit in the UK, it is a huge success elsewhere, especially in South Africa, and helps to encourage the Gibb brothers to diversify stylistically.
  • Phil Collins signs a contract with Atlantic Records to distribute his solo records in the US and in Europe outside the UK (on WEA label).

Bands formed

See Category:Musical groups established in 1980

Bands disbanded

See Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1980

Albums released

January–March

Date Album Artist Notes
J
A
N
U
A
R
Y
4 The RomanticsThe Romantics-
The Age of PlasticThe BugglesFirst released in Australia, was released in the UK on February 4
14 Permanent WavesRushSometimes claimed to be released on the 1st
18 Just TestingWishbone Ash-
MetamaticJohn Foxx-
19 PretendersThe Pretenders-
28 Love StinksThe J. Geils Band-
30 Air PocketRoger Powell-
? God Save the Queen/Under Heavy MannersRobert Fripp-
Is This Real?Wipers-
No Place to RunUFO-
The Return of the Durutti ColumnThe Durutti Column-
Rockin' into the Night38 Special-
Sheer GreedGirl-
Short StoriesJon and Vangelis-
Sit Down and Talk to MeLou Rawls-
Un Peu de l'Âme des BanditsAksak Maboul-
Union JacksThe Babys-
F
E
B
R
U
A
R
Y
4 End of the CenturyRamones-
5 Boys Don't CryThe Cure-
12 Bryan AdamsBryan Adams-
14 Bebe le StrangeHeart-
Lady TTeena Marie-
15 Bad Luck Streak in Dancing SchoolWarren Zevon-
...But the Little Girls UnderstandThe Knack-
Earth & SkyGraham Nash-
Get Happy!!Elvis Costello-
Malice in WonderlandNazareth-
Metal for MuthasVarious Artists-
22 Orchestral Manoeuvres in the DarkOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark-
Sheep Farming in BarnetToyahexpanded reissue of 1979 EP
23 Too Much PressureThe Selector-
25 Against the WindBob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band-
Warm ThoughtsSmokey Robinson-
27 Remorse CodeDesperate Bicycles
? After DarkAndy Gibb-
ArgybargySqueeze-
Colossal YouthYoung Marble Giants-
ConquestUriah Heep-
Mad LoveLinda Ronstadt-
The Psychedelic FursThe Psychedelic Furs-
SoldierIggy Pop-
SuperchargedTavares-
SurvivorSurvivor-
That's What You Get BabeKevin Ayers-
Willie NileWillie Nile-
M
A
R
C
H
1 SequelHarry Chapin-
3 Roberta Flack Featuring Donny HathawayRoberta Flack and Donny Hathaway-
7 Coal Miner's DaughterVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Nobody's HeroesStiff Little Fingers-
10 Glass HousesBilly Joel-
12 Angel WitchAngel Witch-
14 On Through the NightDef Leppard-
17 Let's Get SeriousJermaine Jackson-
18 DreamsGrace Slick-
23 DepartureJourney-
24 Keepin' the Summer AliveThe Beach Boys-
RaritiesThe BeatlesCompilation
25 Progressions of PowerTriumph-
26 NaughtyChaka Khan-
One EightyAmbrosia-
Women and Children FirstVan Halen-
Welcome To The ClubIan Hunter-
28 DukeGenesis-
Look Hear?10cc-
LoverboyLoverboy-
31 Animal MagnetismScorpions-
? Frantic CityTeenage Head-
Let the Music Do the TalkingThe Joe Perry Project-
Lost in LoveAir Supply-
Sacred SongsDaryl Hall-
Somebody's WaitingAnne Murray-

April–June

Date Album Artist Notes
A
P
R
I
L
3 The Barbara Dickson AlbumBarbara Dickson-
14 British SteelJudas Priest-
Iron Maiden Iron Maiden-
18 Solo in SohoPhil Lynott-
21 Empty GlassPete Townshend-
HypnotisedThe Undertones-
22 Seventeen SecondsThe Cure-
24 CameosisCameo-
25 Heaven and HellBlack Sabbath-
26 Dolly, Dolly, DollyDolly Parton-
28 Flush the FashionAlice Cooper-
Go to HeavenGrateful Dead-
? Crazy RhythmsThe Feelies-
Give 'Em HellWitchfynde-
Growing Up in PublicLou Reed-
Holiday '80The Human LeagueEP
Just One NightEric ClaptonLive
Lookin' for TroubleToronto-
Los AngelesX-
MarauderMagnumLive
Middle ManBoz Scaggs-
Ska 'n' BBad Manners-
Sky 2Sky-
Snakes and LaddersGerry Rafferty-
Tommy TutoneTommy Tutone-
Waters EdgeSweet-
M
A
Y
5 Totale's TurnsThe Fall-
Wheels of SteelSaxon-
8 The Golden YearsMotörheadEP
9 Bass CultureLinton Kwesi Johnson-
Warm LeatheretteGrace Jones-
13 21 at 33Elton John-
16 Freedom of ChoiceDevo-
McCartney IIPaul McCartney-
20 UnmaskedKiss-
22 DianaDiana Ross-
23 Flesh and BloodRoxy Music-
Peter GabrielPeter GabrielThird Album
TravelogueThe Human LeagueSecond Album
28 Tight ShoesFoghat-
31 Ready an' WillingWhitesnake-
? Can't Stop the MusicVillage PeopleSoundtrack
The Correct Use of SoapMagazine-
I Just Can't Stop ItThe Beat-
The Magic of Boney M. – 20 Golden HitsBoney M.Compilation
Music ManWaylon Jennings-
Quicksand ShoesStreetheart-
Roses in the SnowEmmylou Harris-
Songs the Lord Taught UsThe Cramps-
SportscarJudy Tzuke-
Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin RevSuicide-
TangramTangerine Dream-
The Tale of the TapeBilly Squier-
Three MantrasCabaret Voltaire-
What's the WordThe Fabulous Thunderbirds-
Woman LoveBurton Cummings-
J
U
N
E
2 Found All the PartsCheap TrickEP
I'm a RebelAccept-
4 EastCold Chisel-
One for the RoadThe KinksLive
6 The Blue MeaningToyah-
10 UprisingBob Marley & The Wailers-
14 Cultösaurus ErectusBlue Öyster Cult-
15 Chipmunk PunkThe Chipmunks-
16 Come UpstairsCarly Simon-
20 The Blues BrothersVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
Emotional RescueThe Rolling Stones-
Rise UpPeter FramptonBrazil
21 Danger ZoneSammy Hagar-
23 SavedBob Dylan-
24 Hold OutJackson Browne-
25 Huey Lewis and the NewsHuey Lewis and the News-
True ColoursSplit Enz-
28 Underwater MoonlightThe Soft Boys-
30 DemolitionGirlschool-
The GameQueen-
Metal Rendez-vousKrokus-
Real PeopleChic-
? The Art of WalkingPere Ubu-
DefectorSteve Hackett-
Endangered SpeciesKlaatu-
Head OnSamson-
I've Got Something to SayDavid Allan Coe-
Romance DanceKim Carnes-
Scream DreamTed Nugent-
There & BackJeff Beck-
Tomcattin'Blackfoot-
Urban Cowboy SoundtrackVarious ArtistsSoundtrack

July–September

Date Album Artist Notes
J
U
L
Y
1 John AndersonJohn Anderson-
11 Searching for the Young Soul RebelsDexys Midnight Runners-
ViennaUltravox-
15 Back on the StreetsDonnie Iris-
16 Garden of LoveRick James-
18 CloserJoy Division-
CrocodilesEcho & the Bunnymen-
Full MoonCharlie Daniels Band-
Honeysuckle RoseWillie NelsonSoundtrack
Live Seventy NineHawkwind-
21 Chicago XIVChicago-
25 Back in BlackAC/DC-
TPTeddy Pendergrass-
28 ZappZapp-
29 VoicesHall & Oates-
? Deepest Purple: The Very Best of Deep PurpleDeep PurpleCompilation
Hot on the OneJames BrownLive
Live at LastBlack SabbathLive 1973
New Clear DaysThe Vapors-
Playing for KeepsEddie Money-
SinsemillaBlack Uhuru-
The Voice of AmericaCabaret Voltaire-
Seeds of ChangeKerry Livgren-
A
U
G
U
S
T
1 The Affectionate PunchAssociates-
KaleidoscopeSiouxsie & the Banshees-
5 Crimes of PassionPat Benatar-
9 Give Me the NightGeorge Benson-
13 S.O.S.The S.O.S. Band-
15 AlibiAmerica-
PanoramaThe Cars-
18 DramaYes-
No More Dirty DealsJohnny Van Zant-
20 24 CarrotsAl Stewart-
21 Black RoseCher-
23 Wild CatTygers of Pan Tang-
27 Wild PlanetThe B-52's-
29 AJethro Tull-
Signing OffUB40-
? Common OneVan Morrison-
Doc at the Radar StationCaptain Beefheart-
Gamma 2Gamma-
Jealous AgainBlack FlagEP
Killing JokeKilling Joke-
Living in a FantasyLeo Sayer-
The Michael Schenker GroupMichael Schenker Group-
NeutronicaDonovan-
Off the Coast of MeKid Creole and the Coconuts-
One-Trick PonyPaul Simon-
Reach for the SkyThe Allman Brothers Band-
Special ThingsThe Pointer Sisters-
Stand Up and FightQuartz-
The Swing of DelightCarlos Santana-
XanaduOlivia Newton-John and Electric Light OrchestraSoundtrack
S
E
P
T
E
M
B
E
R
1 Change of AddressThe Shadows-
Strong Arm of the LawSaxon-
2 Fresh Fruit for Rotting VegetablesDead Kennedys-
5 TelekonGary Numan-
Never for EverKate Bush-
Waiting for a MiracleComsat Angels-
8 Nothin' Matters and What If It DidJohn Cougar-
Times SquareVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
12 Black SeaXTC-
Empires and DanceSimple Minds-
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)David Bowie-
17 Oingo BoingoOingo BoingoEP
One Step CloserThe Doobie Brothers-
19 White SpiritWhite Spirit-
20 Blizzard of OzzOzzy OsbourneUK
23 Greatest HitsKenny RogersCompilation
GuiltyBarbra Streisand-
24 Deface the MusicUtopia-
26 AbsolutelyMadness-
TriumphThe Jacksons-
29 Celebrate!Kool & the Gang-
Hotter than JulyStevie Wonder-
Kurtis BlowKurtis Blow-
? The Absolute GameSkids-
Andy Gibb's Greatest HitsAndy Gibb-
Audio-VisionsKansas-
Beatin' the OddsMolly Hatchet-
CluesRobert Palmer-
Heartattack and VineTom Waits-
I Am What I AmGeorge Jones-
I'm No HeroCliff Richard-
Kenny Loggins AliveKenny LogginsLive
Mr. HandsHerbie Hancock-
Out of ControlPeter Criss-
ParisSupertrampLive
Rev UpThe Rezillosas The Revillos
Shadows and LightJoni MitchellLive

October–December

Date Album Artist Notes
O
C
T
O
B
E
R
1 Group SexCircle Jerks-
In the Flat FieldBauhaus-
3 Lightning to the NationsDiamond Head-
Zenyatta MondattaThe Police-
8 Dirty MindPrince-
Remain in LightTalking Heads-
10 ChanceManfred Mann's Earth Band-
ChinatownThin Lizzy-
IcehouseIcehouseas Flowers
KilamanjaroThe Teardrop Explodes-
13 Avoid FreudRough Trade-
INXSINXS-
14 FacesEarth, Wind & Fire-
17 Just Supposin'Status Quo-
Love ZombiesThe Monochrome Set-
Making MoviesDire Straits-
The RiverBruce Springsteen-
20 BoyU2-
The WandererDonna Summer-
24 All Shook UpCheap Trick-
Gentlemen Take PolaroidsJapan-
OrganisationOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark-
25 ArethaAretha Franklin-
27 Drugstore DancerStreetheart-
LevitationHawkwind-
31 Dig ItKlaus Schulze-
QE2Mike Oldfield-
? Beat CrazyJoe Jackson-
The Black AlbumThe Damned-
Super Black Market ClashThe Clash10" mini LP released in U.S. & Canada only
BorderlineRy Cooder-
Commercial AlbumThe Residents-
The ConcertCreedence Clearwater RevivalLive 1970
Explorer SuiteNew England-
Glory RoadGillan-
Grace and DangerJohn Martyn-
Greatest HitsAerosmithCompilation
More George Thorogood and the DestroyersGeorge Thorogood and the Destroyers-
More SpecialsThe Specials-
On the EdgeThe Babys-
Rockabilly BluesJohnny Cash-
Seconds of PleasureRockpile-
Ultra WaveBootsy Collins-
The Witch of BerkeleyA II ZLive
Yellow EPGang of FourEP
N
O
V
E
M
B
E
R
1 Live...in the Heart of the CityWhitesnakeLive
Slade Smashes!SladeCompilation
2 Stage StruckRory GallagherLive
3 Hawks & DovesNeil Young-
Super TrouperABBA-
7 Divine MadnessBette MidlerLive
Eagles LiveEaglesLive
8 Ace of SpadesMotörhead-
10 The Jazz SingerNeil DiamondSoundtrack
17 Double FantasyJohn Lennon & Yoko Ono-
GrotesqueThe Fall-
19 BarryBarry Manilow-
21 Foolish BehaviourRod Stewart-
GauchoSteely Dan-
Hi InfidelityREO Speedwagon-
22 Beer Drinkers and Hell RaisersMotörheadEP
24 9 to 5 and Odd JobsDolly Parton-
Bird NoisesMidnight Oil-
YesshowsYesLive
28 LaughterIan Dury & The Blockheads-
Sound AffectsThe Jam-
Toyah!ToyahLive
? AutoamericanBlondie-
The Birthday PartyThe Birthday Partyas The Boys Next Door
JeopardyThe Sound-
Kings of the Wild FrontierAdam and the Ants-
Loonee Tunes!Bad Manners-
The Paris Collection Dollar-
Silent KnightSaga-
Solid PleasureYello-
Song of SevenJon Anderson-
Stage FrightWitchfynde-
Stone JamSlave-
Taking LibertiesElvis CostelloCompilation
The Turn of a Friendly CardThe Alan Parsons Project-
Turn the Hell OnFist-
D
E
C
E
M
B
E
R
5 TrombipulationParliament-
8 Flash GordonQueenSoundtrack
LiveFleetwood MacLive
ReplayCrosby, Stills & Nash-
10 Dream, After DreamJourneySoundtrack
12 Sandinista!The Clash-
26 Stand in the FireWarren ZevonLive
31 Arc of a DiverSteve Winwood-
? The Decline of Western CivilizationVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
I've Always Wanted to Do ThisJack Bruce-
Love UprisingTavares-
Made in AmericaThe Blues BrothersLive
National BreakoutThe Romantics-
Shades of BlueLou Rawls-

Release Date Unknown

Awards

Biggest hit singles

The following songs achieved the highest chart positions in the charts of 1980.

# Artist Title Year Country Chart entries
1Pink FloydAnother Brick in the Wall (part 2)1980United KingdomUK 1 – Dec 1979, US BB 1 – Feb 1980, Canada 1 – Jan 1980, Sweden (alt) 1 – Feb 1980, France 1 – Feb 1980, Austria 1 – Feb 1980, Switzerland 1 – Jan 1980, Norway 1 – Jan 1980, Germany 1 – Jan 1980, Éire 1 – Dec 1979, Poland 1 of all time, US CashBox 3 of 1980, Netherlands 3 – Dec 1979, Australia 4 of 1980, KROQ 6 of 1980, POP 7 of 1980, South Africa 8 of 1980, Germany 9 of the 1980s, Europe 11 of the 1970s, Italy 12 of 1980, US BB 15 of 1980, RYM 18 of 1979, TheQ 28, Virgin 39, Belgium 50 of all time, Scrobulate 51 of live, RIAA 296, Rolling Stone 375, Acclaimed 392, OzNet 594
2Barbra StreisandWoman in Love1980United StatesUK 1 – Oct 1980, US BB 1 – Sep 1980, Netherlands 1 – Sep 1980, Sweden (alt) 1 – Oct 1980, Austria 1 – Dec 1980, Switzerland 1 – Oct 1980, Norway 1 – Nov 1980, Germany 1 – Jan 1981, Éire 1 – Oct 1980, Australia 1 for 2 weeks Sep 1981, South Africa 2 of 1980, Italy 3 of 1981, France 7 – Oct 1980, US CashBox 9 of 1980, Australia 21 of 1980, Germany 36 of the 1980s, RYM 157 of 1980
3John Lennon(Just Like) Starting Over1980United KingdomUK 1 – Nov 1980, US BB 1 – Nov 1980, Canada 1 – Nov 1980, Switzerland 1 – Dec 1980, Australia 1 for 4 weeks Dec 1981, Austria 2 – Feb 1981, Norway 2 – Dec 1980, Sweden (alt) 3 – Nov 1980, Germany 6 – Jan 1981, France 9 – Nov 1980, US BB 12 of 1980, Australia 18 of 1981, Italy 29 of 1981, RYM 32 of 1980, POP 49 of 1980, US CashBox 57 of 1980, Germany 298 of the 1980s, OzNet 683, Acclaimed 1637
4Lipps IncFunkytown1980United StatesUS BB 1 – Apr 1980, Netherlands 1 – Apr 1980, Austria 1 – Jul 1980, Switzerland 1 – May 1980, Norway 1 – Jul 1980, Germany 1 – Jun 1980, UK 2 – May 1980, Sweden (alt) 2 – Jun 1980, US BB 4 of 1980, POP 5 of 1980, Scrobulate 7 of disco, Australia 9 of 1980, US CashBox 10 of 1980, Germany 14 of the 1980s, Italy 30 of 1980, RYM 73 of 1979, Acclaimed 520
5Diana RossUpside Down1980United StatesUS BB 1 – Aug 1980, Sweden (alt) 1 – Aug 1980, France 1 – Aug 1980, Switzerland 1 – Aug 1980, Norway 1 – Aug 1980, New Zealand 1 for 3 weeks Oct 1980, Australia 1 for 4 weeks Aug 1981, UK 2 – Jul 1980, Netherlands 2 – Jul 1980, Austria 2 – Oct 1980, US CashBox 4 of 1980, Germany 4 – Sep 1980, Canada 8 – Sep 1980, Italy 8 of 1980, South Africa 11 of 1980, Australia 15 of 1980, POP 22 of 1980, US BB 30 of 1980, Scrobulate 42 of disco, RYM 83 of 1980, Germany 87 of the 1980s, Acclaimed 1364

US and UK #1 hit singles

(in chronological order)

Significant songs

Classical music

Opera

Jazz

Musical theater

Musical films

Births

Deaths

References

  1. Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie hits, 1980–1989: the complete U.K. independent charts (singles & albums). London: Cherry Red. ISBN 978-0-9517206-9-1. OCLC 38292499.
  2. Loder, Kurt (December 10, 1980). "More charges may be pending in Henley Arrest". Anchorage Daily News. p. 86. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  3. "Eagle Arrested". Ottawa Citizen. November 25, 1980. p. 40. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  4. McCormick, Neil (November 1, 2007). "The Eagles: we're lucky to be alive". The Telegraph. Retrieved October 18, 2002.
  5. "Eagles' star fined $2,500 on drug charge". Miami Herald. Associated Press. February 26, 1981. p. 15. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  6. Baldwin, Roberto (14 February 2014). "Early hip-hop's greatest drum machine just got resurrected". Wired. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  7. Richards, Chris (2 December 2008). "What's an 808?". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  8. Thedeadrockstarsclub.com — accessed August 2010
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