This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 1978.
Bands formed
Amebix Ampage Anvil (as Lips) Blind Illusion Bodine Cockney Rejects E.F. Band Earthshaker Electric Sun Exciter Fist Fortune Gamma Gillan Girlschool Grand Prix Hades Leño London Mama's Boys Mike Reno Messiah Prophet Mystery Blue New England Nightwing Pagan Altar Pendragon Plasmatics Riblja Čorba Savage Survivor Trespass The Exploited Tommy Tutone The Next Band Tygers of Pan Tang Vanexa Venom Whitesnake Wild Horses Wrathchild America
Bands disbanded Ian Gillan Band Lone Star Ram Jam Sex Pistols
Events Vocalist Ozzy Osbourne had a change of heart and returned to Black Sabbath after leaving abruptly the year before. Gary Moore embarked on his third and final stint as Thin Lizzy's guitarist, replacing Brian Robertson. Paul Di'Anno took over as Iron Maiden's vocalist, succeeding Dennis Wilcock. Original Def Leppard drummer Tony Kenning departed the band, making way for Rick Allen, who, at just 15 years old, became their permanent drummer. Uli Jon Roth parted ways with Scorpions due to creative differences, leading to Matthias Jabs joining as his replacement. Guitarist Michael Shenker left UFO and rejoined Scorpions.
Deaths January 23 – Terry Alan Kath, founder and guitarist of Chicago, died from an unintentional self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at the age of 31. September 7 – Keith John Moon, founding member and drummer of The Who, died from an overdose of clomethiazole at the age of 32.
Albums
February Day Artist Album 10Judas PriestStained ClassVan HalenVan Halen 17BudgieImpeckableBachman-Turner OverdriveStreet Action
March Day Artist Album 2Quiet RiotQuiet Riot
April Day Artist Album 10Jethro TullHeavy Horses 14RainbowLong Live Rock 'n' Roll
May Day Artist Album 5AC/DCPowerage
June Day Artist Album 2Thin LizzyLive and DangerousWhitesnakeSnakebite (EP)10ForeignerDouble Vision23UFOObsessionYesterday and TodayStruck Down
August Day Artist Album 15BostonDon't Look BackScorpionsTokyo Tapes (live album) 18The WhoWho Are YouMagnumKingdom of Madness
September Day Artist Album 1Molly HatchetMolly Hatchet 13Blue Öyster CultSome Enchanted Evening 18Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyGene SimmonsGene SimmonsPaul StanleyPaul StanleyPeter CrissPeter Criss 22Jethro TullBursting OutGolden EarringGrab It for a Second 29Black SabbathNever Say Die!StyxPieces of EightUriah HeepFallen AngelGillanGilllan (Japan only)
October Day Artist Album 6Wishbone AshNo Smoke Without Fire 13AC/DCIf You Want Blood You've Got It 24RushHemispheres 30KrokusPain KillerWhitesnakeTrouble
November Day Artist Album 3Judas PriestKilling Machine 10QueenJazz17Alice CooperFrom the InsideHeavy LoadFull Speed at High LevelRose TattooRose Tattoo
December Day Artist Album 2Quiet RiotQuiet Riot II 20Bow WowGuarantee
Unknown release date Artist AlbumLucifer's FriendGood Time WarriorRam JamPortrait of the Artist as a Young RamMassRock n' Roll Power in the 25th Hour
References