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
References