This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 1976.
Bands formed Accept Angel Witch (as Lucifer) Black Flag Bronz Chrome Citron Crys Diamond Head Ethel the Frog Foreigner Heavy Load Kick Axe Līvi Marseille McCoy Mentors The Obsessed Paice Ashton Lord Pat Travers Ratt Rose Tattoo Running Wild (as Granite Hearts) Sorcery Spider Sister The Clash The Godz Thor "Weird Al" Yankovic Zoetrope
Bands disbanded Deep Purple (reformed in 1984) New York Dolls (reformed in 2004) Steppenwolf (reformed in 1980)
Events "Fast" Eddie Clarke became the second guitarist for Motörhead. Shortly after his arrival, the original guitarist Larry Wallis departed, returning the band to a trio, which is now recognized as the "classic line-up". Uriah Heep parted ways with their original vocalist, David Byron, due to his struggles with heavy drinking. Guitarist Dave Murray joined Iron Maiden.
Deaths December 4 – Thomas Richard "Tommy" Bolin, former guitarist of Zephyr, James Gang, and Deep Purple, died from an overdose of heroin and other substances, including alcohol, cocaine and barbiturates at the age of 25.
Albums Lucifer's Friend – Mind Exploding Moxy – Moxy II Y&T – Yesterday & Today
January Day Artist Album14Grand Funk RailroadBorn to Die 30Bad CompanyRun with the Pack Black Sabbath We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' RollGolden EarringTo the Hilt
February Day Artist Album 2Lynyrd SkynyrdGimme Back My Bullets 7James GangJesse Come Home 16SweetGive Us a Wink
March Day Artist Album12WIshbone AshLocked In 15 Kiss Destroyer 24Rush2112"Mercury Releases Two," Record World, March 20, 1976, p. 61. 26 Judas Priest Sad Wings of Destiny Thin Lizzy Jailbreak 31 Led Zeppelin PresenceNazarethClose Enough for Rock 'n' RollBuffaloMother's Choice
April Day Artist Album 16Van der Graaf GeneratorStill Life23BudgieIf I Were Britannia I'd Waive the RulesJethro TullToo Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!29KrokusKrokus
May Day Artist Album 3 Aerosmith Rocks 14 AC/DC High Voltage (international version) 17 Rainbow Rising 21 Blue Öyster Cult Agents of FortuneUriah HeepHigh and Mighty UFO No Heavy PettingSammy HagarNine on a Ten Scale
June Day Artist Album 25 Alice Cooper Alice Cooper Goes to Hell
August Day Artist Album 9Grand Funk RailroadGood Singin', Good Playin' 25 Boston BostonAll time top HM albums 27HawkwindAstounding Sounds, Amazing Music TasteTickle Your Fancy
September Day Artist Album 20 AC/DC Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap 29 Rush All the World's a StageMontroseJump on It Ted Nugent Free-for-All
October Day Artist Album 22Led ZeppelinThe Song Remains the Same Black Sabbath Technical Ecstasy Thin Lizzy Johnny the FoxStyxCrystal BallVan der Graaf GeneratorWorld RecordWishbone AshNew England
November Day Artist Album 11 Kiss Rock and Roll Over13NazarethPlay 'n' the Game 22 Scorpions Virgin KillerDeep PurpleMade in Europe (live album)
December Day Artist Album 10 Queen A Day at the Races Bow Wow吼えろ! バウワウ (Hoero! Bow Wow)
References