This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 1977.
Bands formed 707 44 Magnum Bad Brains Barnabas Black Death Death SS Dedringer Def Leppard (as Atomic Mass) Discharge Dire Straits Divlje Jagode Dokken Gordi Gravestone Great White Holocaust The Hunt Kix Manilla Road Misfits Oz Perfect The Police Prism Quartz Ram Jam Rapid Tears Rock Goddess Saga Samson Sarcofagus Stress Streetheart TKO Toto Törr Trance Trust Vatreni Poljubac Zarpa
Bands disbanded Buffalo James Gang Lynyrd Skynyrd Montrose T. Rex
Events October 20 – Six people were killed in a tragic plane crash, including Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and vocalist Cassie Gaines. Vocalist Ozzy Osbourne abruptly quit Black Sabbath due to his dissatisfaction with the band's recent albums. He was replaced by Dave Walker. Drummer Herman Rarebell joined Scorpions, replacing Rudy Lenners.
Deaths April 1 – Joachim "Achim" Kirchhoff, original bassist of Scorpions, died from alcoholism-related complications at the age of 28. September 16 – Marc Bolan, founder, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist of T. Rex, died from injuries sustained in a car accident at the age of 29. October 20 – Ronald Wayne "Ronnie" Van Zant, founding member, lyricist and lead vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in a plane crash at the age of 29. October 20 – Steven Earl "Steve" Gaines, guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in a plane crash at the age of 28. October 20 – Cassie LaRue Gaines, Steve Gaines' sister and vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in a plane crash at the age of 29.
Albums
January Day Artist Album 7The RunawaysQueens of Noise Sammy HagarSammy Hagar
February Day Artist Album 11Jethro TullSongs from the Wood AngelOn Earth as It Is in HeavenBachman-Turner OverdriveFreeways
March Day Artist Album 8ForeignerForeigner 21AC/DCLet There Be Rock (Aus/NZ version)MassBack To The Music
April Day Artist Album 8Judas PriestSin After Sin 29Alice CooperLace and WhiskeyKrokusTo You All SweetOff the Record
May Day Artist Album 13Ted NugentCat Scratch FeverHeartLittle QueenQuartzQuartzUFOLights Out
June Day Artist Album 17KissLove Gun 20Ram JamRam Jam BuffaloAverage Rock 'n' Roller
July Day Artist Album 7RainbowOn Stage (live) StyxThe Grand Illusion 25Bow WowSignal Fire
August Day Artist Album 12MotörheadMotörhead 29RushA Farewell to Kings TasteKnights of Love
September Day Artist Album 2Thin LizzyBad Reputation
October Day Artist Album 7The RunawaysWaitin' for the Night 10Sammy HagarMusical Chairs 14KissAlive II 17Lynyrd SkynyrdStreet Survivors 21Meat LoafBat Out of Hell 28QueenNews of the World
November Day Artist Album 3TriumphRock & Roll Machine 4RamonesRocket to Russia 10RiotRock CityBlue Öyster CultSpectresNazarethExpect No MercyUriah HeepInnocent Victim
December Day Artist Album 1Bow WowCharge 9AerosmithDraw the LineScorpionsTaken by Force
Unknown release date Artist AlbumGoddoGoddoMassBack To The MusicMoxyRidin' HighThorKeep the Dogs Away
References