One can make a very compelling case for selecting 1979 as one of the greatest years in music. It was a banner year for classic releases including The Wall by Pink Floyd, Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young, Damn The Torpedoes by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Breakfast In America by Supertramp, The Who’s Quadrophenia, Off The Wall by Michael Jackson, the Gang of Four’s debut album, Entertainment!, Tusk by Fleetwood, and London Calling by The Clash.
Below, watch some videos from the year’s major releases and a list of highlights from the year.
Albums
Rust Never Sleeps – Neil Young
Dub Housing – Pere Ubu
Fear of the Music – Tears for Fears
The B-52’s – The B-52’s
Off the Wall – Michael Jackson
Risqué – Chic
Singles Going Steady – The Buzzcocks
Forces of Victory – Linton Kwesi Johnson
The Roches – The Roches
Labour of Lust – Nick Lowe
Broken English – Marianne Faithfull
Armed Forces – Elvis Costello
Bad Girls – Donna Summer
Into the Music – Van Morrison
Damn the Torpedoes – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Rickie Lee Jones – Rickie Lee Jones
Eat to the Beat – Blondie
Look Sharp! – Joe Jackson
Bop Til You Drop – Ry Cooder
Present Tense – Shoes
We Are Family – Sister Sledge
Breakfast in America – Supertramp
You’re Never Alone with a Schizophrenic – Ian Hunter
Gimme Some Neck – Ron Wood
Wave – Patti Smith
Mingus – Joni Mitchell
Highway to Hell – AC/DC
In Through the Out Door – Led Zeppelin
Slow Train Coming – Bob Dylan
The Pleasure Principle – Gary Numan
Joe’s Garage – Frank Zappa
Entertainment – Gang of Four
No. 1 In Heaven – Sparks
Quadrophenia – The Who
Reggata de Blanc – The Police
One Step Beyond – Madness
The Raincoats – The Raincoats
The Specials – The Specials
The Wall – Pink Floyd
Deguello – ZZ Top
Metal Box – Public Image Ltd.
London Calling – The Clash
Thanks, I’ll Eat It Here – Lowell George
Tusk – Fleetwood Mac
Nice Guys – Art Ensemble of Chicago
