1980 in music
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1980.
Specific locations
Specific genres
Events
January–March
- January 1
- Cliff Richard is appointed an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.[1]
- January 5 – Donna Summer's third double album in a 14-month period, On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II, released on 15 October 1979, reaches the top spot on the Billboard Albums charts.
- January 7 – At the age of 44, songwriter Larry Williams is found dead in his Los Angeles, California, home of a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators are never able to determine whether his death was a murder or suicide.
- January 13 – The Beach Boys, Grateful Dead, and Jefferson Starship perform at a benefit concert at Oakland Coliseum for the people of Kampuchea.
- January 14 – Rush release Permanent Waves, which eventually becomes the band's fifth platinum album.
- January 16 – Paul McCartney is arrested in Tokyo for possession of a half pound of marijuana. The remaining part of McCartney's and Wings' tour was subsequently canceled.
- January 19 – The first UK Indie Chart is published in Record Week, with Spizzenergi's "Where's Captain Kirk" topping the singles chart, and Adam and the Ants' Dirk Wears White Sox topping the album chart.[2]
- January 25 – Paul McCartney is released from jail in Japan and ejected from the country by Japanese authorities.
- February 7 – Pink Floyd's The Wall Tour opens at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
- February 19 – Bon Scott, lead singer of AC/DC, dies in London. Although common folklore cites pulmonary aspiration of vomit as the cause of his death, the official cause is listed as "Acute alcohol poisoning" and "Death by Misadventure".
- February 27 – The 22nd Annual Grammy Awards are presented in Los Angeles, hosted by Kenny Rogers. Billy Joel's 52nd Street wins Album of the Year, while the Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" wins both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Rickie Lee Jones wins Best New Artist.
- February 29 – Buddy Holly's trademark glasses and the Big Bopper's wristwatch are "rediscovered" in old police files by the Mason City, Iowa, sheriff (both were killed in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, along with singer Ritchie Valens).
- March 3
- Sotheby's auction house in London auctions off a Rivera Hotel, Las Vegas, napkin signed by Elvis Presley for £500. Other items auctioned included four American dollar bills autographed by the Beatles, for £220 and a collection of personal letters belonging to the Rolling Stones, also for £220.
- Randy Jackson of The Jacksons is severely injured in a near-fatal car crash in Hollywood, California. The accident completely crushes his legs, forcing the group to cancel and alter their promotion schedule for the upcoming Triumph album and delaying live performances until his recovery.[3]
- March 8–16 – Tbilisi Rock Festival (1980): the first state-sanctioned rock music festival in the Soviet Union.
- March 14 – Record producer Quincy Jones receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- March 19 – Elvis Presley's autopsy was subpoenaed during the trial of Dr. George Nichopoulous, who would later be found guilty of over-prescribing drugs to Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and other clients.
- March 20 – Radio Caroline shuts down in the UK after radio ship Mi Amigo sinks in a storm.
April–June
- April 1 – Brian Johnson is made the new lead singer of AC/DC replacing the late Bon Scott.
- April 5 – R.E.M. lead vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, drummer Bill Berry and bassist Mike Mills played their first show.[4]
- April 13 – The musical Grease ends its Broadway run of 3,388 performances, making it the longest running show on Broadway up until that time.
- April 17 – As the "official guests of State", Bob Marley and the Wailers perform at Zimbabwe's Independence festival. Marley calls the event the "greatest honor of my life."
- April 19
- Johnny Logan wins the 25th Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland, with the song "What's Another Year".
- R.E.M. perform for the first time under this name.[5]
- April 25 – Black Sabbath release Heaven and Hell, their first album to feature Ronnie James Dio on vocals.
- April 30 – The Roger Daltrey film, McVicar, opens in London.
- May 4 – America's Top 10, the television version of radio's American Top 40 and hosted by Casey Kasem, debuts this week in syndication.
- June 25
- Rock and Roll pioneer Bill Haley performs for the last time during a tour of South Africa, before deteriorating health ends his performing career. July 1980 marks the 25th anniversary of Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" reaching No. 1 on the American singles charts.
- The Sony Walkman goes on sale in the United States.
- Kiss plays its first show with new drummer Eric Carr at the New York Palladium.
- June 27 – John Lydon and Keith Levene of Public Image Ltd make an appearance on The Tomorrow Show with host Tom Snyder. In a famously uncomfortable interview, Lydon gives curt and vague responses to most of Snyder's questions.
July–September
- July 11 – Ultravox release their fourth studio album, Vienna. Their first album with new lead singer Midge Ure following the departures of frontman John Foxx and guitarist Robin Simon, Vienna marks a radical shift in Ultravox's direction and image, transforming the former post-punk band into a more sophisticatedly-oriented new wave/synthpop group. Despite this stylistic shift alienating fans and critics who were more favorable towards the Foxx-led incarnation of the band, Vienna would go on to become Ultravox's most successful studio album to date.
- July 18 – The documentary and concert film No Nukes opens in New York.
- July 25 – Over five months after the death of lead singer Bon Scott, AC/DC release Back in Black, their first album with replacement singer Brian Johnson, who would remain with the band until 2016. The album's success would lead it to become the second-highest-selling album of all time and the highest-selling studio album by any band to date.
- July 29 – Over two months after the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis, the surviving members of Joy Division regroup as New Order and debut anonymously live at Manchester's Beach Club; the group would adopt the moniker "New Order" the following year.
- July 31 – The Eagles end their tour with a contentious show, beginning a split that would last 14 years.[6]
- August 4 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin the recording of the Double Fantasy album.[7]
- August 16
- The first Monsters of Rock heavy metal festival is held at Donington Park in England. Rainbow headlines, and Judas Priest, Scorpions, April Wine, Saxon, Riot and Touch also perform.
- Several bands lose members in one day; bass player Jah Wobble leaves Public Image, Ltd.; keyboard player Jools Holland leaves Squeeze; and drummers Bill Ward and Cozy Powell leave Black Sabbath and Rainbow respectively.
- August 19 – Fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto stage a riot after Alice Cooper cancels because of illness.
- August 23 – The Heatwave festival near Toronto features The B-52's, Talking Heads, The Pretenders, Elvis Costello and many others.
- August 25 – The last performance of the Jahrhundertring at the Bayreuth Festival receives ovations of 45 minutes.[8][9]
- August 26 – Pete Comita replaces Tom Petersson in Cheap Trick.
- August 31 – Karen Carpenter marries Thomas Burris. "Because We Are in Love" is played at their wedding.
- September 3 – The Jacksons are honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[10]
- September 13
- Solid Gold, a new music television series, premieres in syndication.
- Elton John plays a free concert for 400,000 people in New York's Central Park. He performs the encore in a Donald Duck costume.
- Gary Numan earns his third consecutive number 1 on the UK Albums Chart in less than fourteen months as Telekon enters the chart at number 1.[11]
- September 25 – John Bonham, drummer of Led Zeppelin, is found dead by bandmate John Paul Jones.
October–December
- October 9 – A riot breaks out at a Black Sabbath concert in Milwaukee after bassist Geezer Butler is hit in the head by a bottle and the band quits the stage.
- October 26 – Paul Kantner of Jefferson Starship is rushed to hospital following a cerebral hemorrhage. He soon recovers without surgery, defying medical odds.
- October – Iron Maiden replaces guitarist Dennis Stratton with Urchin guitarist Adrian Smith.
- November 15 – The 9th OTI Festival, held at the Teatro General San Martín in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is won by the song "Contigo mujer", written by Ednita Nazario and Laureano Brizuela, and performed by Rafael José representing Puerto Rico.
- November 21
- Iron Maiden play their first gig with new guitarist Adrian Smith in Uxbridge, London, England.
- December 4 – Led Zeppelin disbands following the death of drummer John Bonham.
- December 5 – Duran Duran signs with EMI after finalizing its lineup and touring as a support act for Hazel O'Connor.[12]
- December 7 – Darby Crash, leader of L.A. punk band the Germs, dies of a heroin overdose in a suicide pact.
- December 8 – John Lennon is shot to death outside his apartment building in New York City. Lennon's single, "(Just Like) Starting Over", subsequently becomes a number one hit in many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
- December 14 – Over 100,000 mourners attend a public vigil for John Lennon in Central Park, New York.
- December 31 – The ninth annual New Year's Rockin' Eve special airs on ABC, with appearances by The Charlie Daniels Band, Billy Preston, Syreeta, Chuck Berry and Barry Manilow.
Also in 1980
- The Roland Corporation releases the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which became a cornerstone of the emerging electronic, dance, and hip hop genres. The machine went on to become one of the most influential instruments in popular music, comparable to the Fender Stratocaster's influence on rock.[13][14]
- Record labels established in 1980
- Record labels disestablished in 1980
- The single "Groovy Ghost Show" by Casper is one of the first recorded hip hop songs from Chicago.
- British comedy group The Hee Bee Gee Bees release "Meaningless Songs (in Very High Voices)", a parody of a Bee Gees' disco-style single.
- Phil Collins signs a contract with Atlantic Records to distribute his solo records in the US and in Europe outside the UK (on WEA label).
Bands formed
Bands disbanded
Albums released
January
February
March
April
May
| Day | Album | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tangram | Tangerine Dream | |
| 5 | Totale's Turns | The Fall | |
| 9 | Bass Culture | Linton Kwesi Johnson | |
| Warm Leatherette | Grace Jones | ||
| 16 | McCartney II | Paul McCartney | |
| Freedom of Choice | Devo | ||
| 20 | Unmasked | Kiss | |
| 22 | Diana | Diana Ross | |
| 23 | Ready an' Willing | Whitesnake | [21] |
| Flesh and Blood | Roxy Music | ||
| 21 at 33 | Elton John | ||
| Travelogue | The Human League | ||
| The Up Escalator | Graham Parker | ||
| I Just Can't Stop It | The Beat | ||
| 28 | Tight Shoes | Foghat | |
| 30 | Peter Gabriel | Peter Gabriel | Third Album[22] |
| ? | Can't Stop the Music | Village People | Soundtrack |
| The Correct Use of Soap | Magazine | ||
| Bad Reputation | Joan Jett | Self-titled album released in 1980. Re-released as Bad Reputation in Jan 1981 | |
| New Clear Days | The Vapors | ||
| Music Man | Waylon Jennings | ||
| Quicksand Shoes | Streetheart | ||
| Songs the Lord Taught Us | The Cramps | ||
| Space Race | Mi-Sex | ||
| Sportscar | Judie Tzuke | ||
| Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev | Suicide | ||
| The Tale of the Tape | Billy Squier | ||
| Three Mantras | Cabaret Voltaire | ||
| Young and Restless | Prism | ||
| Woman Love | Burton Cummings |
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
| Day | Album | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Live | Fleetwood Mac | Live |
| Made in America | The Blues Brothers | Live | |
| The Paris Collection | Dollar | ||
| Trombipulation | Parliament | ||
| 8 | Flash Gordon | Queen | Soundtrack |
| Replay | Crosby, Stills & Nash | ||
| 10 | Dream, After Dream | Journey | Soundtrack |
| 12 | Sandinista! | The Clash | |
| 26 | Stand in the Fire | Warren Zevon | Live |
| 29 | Arc of a Diver | Steve Winwood | [28] |
| ? | Angel Witch | Angel Witch | Debut |
| The Decline of Western Civilization | Various Artists | Soundtrack | |
| I've Always Wanted to Do This | Jack Bruce | ||
| Love Uprising | Tavares | ||
| National Breakout | The Romantics | ||
| Shades of Blue | Lou Rawls |
Release date unknown
Awards
Biggest hit singles
The following songs achieved the highest chart positions in the charts of 1980.
| # | Artist | Title | Year | Country | Chart entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pink Floyd | Another Brick in the Wall (part 2) | 1979 |  | UK 1 – Dec 1979, US BB 1 – Feb 1980, Canada 1 – Jan 1980, Sweden (alt) 1 – Feb 1980, France 1 – Feb 1980, Austria 1 – Feb 1980, Switzerland 1 – Jan 1980, Norway 1 – Jan 1980, Germany 1 – Jan 1980, Republic of Ireland 1 – Dec 1979, Poland 1 of all time, US CashBox 3 of 1980, Netherlands 3 – Dec 1979, Australia 4 of 1980, KROQ 6 of 1980, POP 7 of 1980, South Africa 8 of 1980, Germany 9 of the 1980s, Europe 11 of the 1970s, Italy 12 of 1980, US BB 15 of 1980, RYM 18 of 1979, TheQ 28, Virgin 39, Belgium 50 of all time, Scrobulate 51 of live, RIAA 296, Rolling Stone 375, Acclaimed 392, OzNet 594 |
| 2 | Barbra Streisand | Woman in Love | 1980 |  | UK 1 – Oct 1980, US BB 1 – Sep 1980, Netherlands 1 – Sep 1980, Sweden (alt) 1 – Oct 1980, Austria 1 – Dec 1980, Switzerland 1 – Oct 1980, Norway 1 – Nov 1980, Germany 1 – Jan 1981, Republic of Ireland 1 – Oct 1980, Australia 1 for 2 weeks Sep 1981, South Africa 2 of 1980, Italy 3 of 1981, France 7 – Oct 1980, US CashBox 9 of 1980, Australia 21 of 1980, Germany 36 of the 1980s, RYM 157 of 1980 |
| 3 | John Lennon | (Just Like) Starting Over | 1980 | | UK 1 – Nov 1980, US BB 1 – Nov 1980, Canada 1 – Nov 1980, Switzerland 1 – Dec 1980, Australia 1 for 4 weeks Dec 1981, Austria 2 – Feb 1981, Norway 2 – Dec 1980, Sweden (alt) 3 – Nov 1980, Germany 6 – Jan 1981, France 9 – Nov 1980, US BB 12 of 1980, Australia 18 of 1981, Italy 29 of 1981, RYM 32 of 1980, POP 49 of 1980, US CashBox 57 of 1980, Germany 298 of the 1980s, OzNet 683, Acclaimed 1637 |
| 4 | Diana Ross | Upside Down | 1980 | | US BB 1 – Aug 1980, Sweden (alt) 1 – Aug 1980, France 1 – Aug 1980, Switzerland 1 – Aug 1980, Norway 1 – Aug 1980, New Zealand 1 for 3 weeks Oct 1980, Australia 1 for 4 weeks Aug 1981, UK 2 – Jul 1980, Netherlands 2 – Jul 1980, Austria 2 – Oct 1980, US CashBox 4 of 1980, Germany 4 – Sep 1980, Canada 8 – Sep 1980, Italy 8 of 1980, South Africa 11 of 1980, Australia 15 of 1980, POP 22 of 1980, US BB 30 of 1980, Scrobulate 42 of disco, RYM 83 of 1980, Germany 87 of the 1980s, Acclaimed 1364 |
| 5 | Blondie | Call Me | 1980 | | UK 1 - Apr 1980 (14 weeks), US Billboard 1 - Feb 1980 (25 weeks), US BB 1 of 1980, Record World 1 - 1980, ARC 1 of 1980 (peak 1 19 weeks), Canada 1 - Mar 1980 (15 weeks), Canada RPM 1 for 3 weeks - May 1980, Top Song of 1980 of the Billboard 50th list, US CashBox 2 of 1980, WABC NY 2 of 1980, US Radio 2 of 1980 (peak 1 16 weeks), Norway 2 - May 1980 (15 weeks), Springbok 2 - Jul 1980 (15 weeks), Golden Globe in 1980 (film 'American Gigolo') (Nominated), Sweden (alt) 3 - May 1980 (20 weeks), France 3 - May 1980 (3 weeks), Switzerland 3 - May 1980 (15 weeks), Canada 3 of 1980, US Gold (certified by RIAA in Apr 1980), Austria 6 - Jun 1980 (3 months), France (SNEP) 7 - Jun 1980 (2 months), Holland 9 - May 1980 (7 weeks), Switzerland 9 of 1980, Belgium 9 - May 1980 (9 weeks), D.Marsh 10 of 1980, nuTsie 12 of 1980s, ODK Germany 14 - May 1980 (20 weeks), Germany 16 - May 1980 (3 months), Australia 19 of 1980, Scrobulate 37 of 80s, Brazil 41 of 1980, POP 42 of 1980, Billboard 50th song 44, Italy 52 of 1980, 55th Billboard 100 52 (1980), Billboard100 54, Holland free40 78 of 1980, France (InfoDisc) 155 of the 1980s (peak 4, 25 weeks, 348k sales estimated, 1980), Rolling Stone 283, OzNet 460, Acclaimed 554 (1980), UK Silver (certified by BPI in Apr 1980), RYM 23 of 1980 |
US and UK and Japan #1 hit singles
(in chronological order)
Top 40 Chart hit singles
| Song title | Artist(s) | Release date(s) | US | UK | Highest chart position | Other Chart Performance(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "(Just Like) Starting Over" | John Lennon | November 1980 | 1 | 1 | 1 (8 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "A Forest" | The Cure | March 1980 | n/a | 31 | 20 (Belgium) | 26 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 100]) - 38 (New Zealand) - 47 (U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs) |
| "Against The Wind" | Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band | April 1980 | 5 | n/a | 5 (US) | 6 (Canada) - 8 (U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks) - 30 (Belgium) - 92 (Australia) |
| "Ah! Leah!" | Donnie Iris | October 1980 | 29 | n/a | 6 (Canada) | 19 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 22 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 34 (Australia) |
| "All Out Of Love" | Air Supply | February 1980 | 2 | 11 | 2 (Canada, US) | See chart performance entry |
| "An American Dream" | Nitty Gritty Dirt Band | January 1980 | 13 | n/a | 3 (Canada, Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) | See chart entry performance |
| "Amigo" | Black Slate | September 1980 | n/a | 9 | 9 (UK, New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Amoureux solitaires" | Lio | October 1980 | n/a | n/a | 1 (Italy) | 3 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) - 4 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 6 (Austria) - 11 (West Germany) - 14 (Belgium) |
| "Another One Bites the Dust" | Queen | August 1980 | 1 | 7 | 1 (Canada, Israel, Spain, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Antmusic" | Adam and the Ants | November 1980 | n/a | 2 | 1 (Australia) | See chart performance entry |
| "Army Dreamers" | Kate Bush | September 1980 | n/a | 16 | 2 (Israel) | 14 (Ireland) - 25 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 36 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) |
| "Ashes To Ashes" | David Bowie | August 1980 | n/a | 1 | 1 (UK) | See chart performance entry |
| "Babooshka" | Kate Bush | June 1980 | n/a | 5 | 2 (Australia) | See chart performance entry |
| "Back Together Again" | Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway | May 1980 | 56 | 3 | 3 (UK) | 6 (U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs) - 8 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) |
| "Baggy Trousers" | Madness | September 1980 | n/a | 3 | 3 (UK, New Zealand) | See chart entry performance |
| "Banana Republic" | The Boomtown Rats | November 1980 | n/a | 3 | 3 (Germany, Ireland, Norway, UK) | See chart entry performance |
| "Bankrobber" | The Clash | August 1980 | n/a | 12 | 12 (United Kingdom) | 14 (Ireland, New Zealand) |
| "Biggest Part of Me" | Ambrosia | March 1980 | 3 | n/a | 3 (US) | 1 (Radio & Records) - 3 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 18 (Canadian RPM Top Singles) - 30 (New Zealand) - 35 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) |
| "Boulevard" | Jackson Browne | June 1980 | 19 | n/a | 4 (Canada) | 13 (U.S. Billboard Cash Box Top 100) |
| "Brass in Pocket" | The Pretenders | January 1980 | 14 | 1 | 1 (Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry 1979 overlap |
| "Breakdown Dead Ahead" | Boz Scaggs | March 1980 | 15 | n/a | 8 (Canada) | 12 (U.S. Cahs Box Top 100) - 65 (Australia) |
| "Breaking the Law" | Judas Priest | May 1980 | n/a | 12 | 12 (United Kingdom) | 19 (Ireland) |
| "Can't Help Myself" | Flowers | June 1980 | n/a | n/a | 10 (Australia) | 29 (New Zealand) - 50 (U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs) |
| "Can't Stop the Music" | Village People | April 1980 | n/a | 11 | 1 (Australia, South Africa) | See chart performance entry |
| "Coming Up" | Paul McCartney | April 1980 | 1 | 2 | 1 (Canada, United States) | 2 (Australia, New Zealand) - 2 (U.S. Cashbox Top 100) - 48 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) |
| "Cruisin'" | Smokey Robinson | April 1980 | 4 | n/a | 1 (New Zealand) | 1 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 4 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 34 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 66 (Canada) - 70 (Australia) |
| "Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time" | The Spinners | July 1980 | 4 | 4 | 4 (UK) | 5 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) |
| "Desire" | Andy Gibb | January 1980 | 4 | n/a | 4 | See chart performance entry |
| "Don't Ask Me Why" | Billy Joel | July 1980 | 19 | n/a | 4 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Don't Do Me Like That" | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers | January 1980 | 10 | n/a | 3 (Canada) | 7 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 17 (New Zealand) |
| "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" | Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes | March 1980 | 4 | n/a | 1 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Dreamin'" | Cliff Richard | September 1980 | 10 | 8 | 1 (Denmark) | See chart performance entry |
| "Drivin' My Life Away" | Eddie Rabbitt | June 1980 | 5 | n/a | 5 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Duncan" | Slim Dusty | November 1980 | n/a | n/a | 1 (Australia) | 7 (New Zealand) |
| "Echo Beach" | Martha and the Muffins | February 1980 | n/a | 10 | 5 (Canada) | 6 (Australia) - 11 (Ireland) |
| "Emotional Rescue" | The Rolling Stones | June 1980 | 3 | 9 | 1 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" | The Korgis | May 1980 | 18 | 5 | 1 (France) | See chart performance entry |
| "Fame" | Irene Cara | May 1980 | 4 | 1 | 1 (5 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Fashion" | David Bowie | October 1980 | 70 | 5 | 5 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Fire Lake" | Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band | January 1980 | 6 | n/a | 3 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Funkytown" | Lipps Inc. | March 1980 | 1 | 2 | 1 (14 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Games Without Frontiers" | Peter Gabriel | February 1980 | 48 | 4 | 3 (Ireland) | 7 (Canada) - 44 (Australia) - 60 (U.S. Cashbox Top 100) |
| "Generals and Majors | XTC | August 1980 | 104 | 32 | 16 (New Zealand) | 24 (Australia) - 28 (U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks) - 92 (Canada) |
| "Geno" | Dexy's Midnight Runners | March 1980 | n/a | 1 | 1 (United Kingdom) | 2 (Ireland) - 44 (Australia) |
| "Give Me the Night" | George Benson | June 1980 | 4 | 7 | 3 (France) | See chart performance entry |
| "Going Underground"/"Dreams of Children" | The Jam | March 1980 | n/a | 1 | 1 (United Kingdom) | 18 (Sweden) - 28 (New Zealand) - 50 (Australia) |
| "He's So Shy" | The Pointer Sisters | July 1980 | 3 | n/a | 1 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Hey!" | Julio Iglesias | 1980 | n/a | 31 | 1 (Spain) | 24 (Ireland) - 56 (Australia) |
| "Him" | Rupert Holmes | January 1980 | 6 | 31 | 4 (Canada) | |
| "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" | Pat Benatar | September 1980 | 9 | n/a | 9 (United States) | 7 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 10 (Canada) - 33 (Australia) |
| "Hungry Heart" | Bruce Springsteen | October 1980 | 5 | 44 | 5 (Canada, United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Hurt So Bad" | Linda Ronstadt | March 1980 | 8 | n/a | 8 (United States) | 17 (Canada) - 25 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 37 (Canadian RPM charts) - 43 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) |
| "I Can't Tell You Why" | Eagles | February 1980 | 8 | n/a | 5 (Canada) | 2 (Canada Adult Contemporary) - 3 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 11 (New Zealand) - 49 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) |
| "I Die: You Die" | Gary Numan | August 1980 | 102 | 6 | 6 (United Kingdom) | 16 (Ireland) |
| "I Got You" | Split Enz | January 1980 | 53 | 12 | 1 (Australia, Israel, New Zealand) | 13 (Canada) - 19 (Ireland) - 50 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) |
| "I Hope I Never" | Split Enz | May 1980 | n/a | n/a | 18 (Australia) | 30 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) - 33 (New Zealand) |
| "I Made It Through the Rain" | Barry Manilow | November 1980 | 10 | 37 | 10 (United States) | 4 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 18 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 20 (Ireland) |
| "I Pledge My Love" | Peaches & Herb | January 1980 | 19 | n/a | 1 (New Zealand) | 23 (Canada) - 25 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 33 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 37 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) |
| "I Wanna Be Your Lover" | Prince | January 1980 | 11 | 41 | 3 (New Zealand) | 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 2 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) |
| "I Want To Be Straight" | Ian Dury & The Blockheads | August 1980 | n/a | 22 | 18 (Australia) | n/a |
| "Il jouait du piano debout" | France Gall | 1980 | n/a | n/a | 2 (France) | 22 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) - 26 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) |
| "It's Hard to Be Humble" | Mac Davis | March 1980 | 43 | 27 | 3 (New Zealand) | 4 (Canada RPM Country) - 9 (Australia) - 10 (U.S. Billboard Country) - 14 (Canada) - 35 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) |
| "Johnny and Mary" | Robert Palmer | September 1980 | n/a | 44 | 1 (Spain) | See chart performance entry |
| "Killer on the Loose" | Thin Lizzy | September 1980 | n/a | 10 | 5 (Ireland) | n/a |
| "King" / "Food for Thought" | UB40 | February 1980 | n/a | 4 | 1 (New Zealand) | 10 (Ireland) - 36 (Australia) - 46 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) |
| "Let My Love Open The Door" | Pete Townshend | June 1980 | 9 | 46 | 5 (Canada) | 11 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 82 (Australia) |
| "Let's Get Serious" | Jermaine Jackson | March 1980 | 9 | n/a | 9 (United States) | 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 2 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play) - 24 (Australia) |
| "Little Jeannie" | Elton John | May 1980 | 3 | 33 | 1 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Longer" | Dan Fogelberg | January 1980 | 2 | 59 | 2 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Looking for Clues" | Robert Palmer | November 1980 | 105 | 33 | 3 (Germany) | See chart performance entry |
| "Lost In Love" | Air Supply | January 1980 | 3 | n/a | 3 (New Zealand, United States) | 1 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 1 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 2 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 4 (Canada RPM Top Singles) - 10 (France) - 13 (Australia) |
| "Love Will Tear Us Apart" | Joy Division | June 1980 | n/a | 13 | 1 (New Zealand) | 1 (UK Indie Singles Chart) - 26 (Australia) - 42 (U.S. Billboard Disco Top 100) |
| "Master Blaster (Jammin')" | Stevie Wonder | September 1980 | 5 | 2 | (6 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Misunderstanding" | Genesis | May 1980 | 14 | 42 | 1 (Canada) | 14 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 32 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) |
| "More Love" | Kim Carnes | June 1980 | 10 | n/a | 10 (United States) | 6 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 7 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 9 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 13 (Canada) - 46 (Australia) |
| "More Than I Can Say" | Leo Sayer | October 1980 | 2 | 2 | 1 (Australia) | 1 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 2 (Ireland, South Africa) - 3 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 5 (New Zealand) - 7 (Canada) |
| "Me Myself I" | Joan Armatrading | June 1980 | n/a | 21 | 13 (Ireland) | 13 (South Africa) - 14 (New Zealand) - 24 (Australia) - 38 (Netherlands [Single Top 100)] |
| "My Perfect Cousin" | The Undertones | March 1980 | n/a | 9 | 9 (United Kingdom) | 9 (Ireland) |
| "Never Knew Love Like This Before" | Stephanie Mills | August 1980 | 6 | 4 | 1 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) | See chart performance entry |
| "Off the Wall" | Michael Jackson | February 1980 | 10 | 7 | 4 (Norway) | See chart performance entry |
| "On and On and On" | ABBA | September 1980 | 90 | n/a | 7 (France) | 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 1 (Australia) - 9 (Australia) - 24 (Japan) |
| "On the Radio" | Donna Summer | January 1980 | 5 | 32 | 2 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "One Step Ahead" | Split Enz | November 1980 | n/a | n/a | 5 (Australia) | 17 (Canada) - 104 (U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles) |
| "People" | Mi-Sex | March 1980 | n/a | n/a | 3 (New Zealand) | 6 (Australia) |
| "Pilot of the Airwaves" | Charlie Dore | February 1980 | 13 | 66 | 3 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "Private Idaho" | The B-52's | October 1980 | 74 | n/a | 11 (Australia) | 5 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play) - 78 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) |
| "Real Love" | The Doobie Brothers | August 1980 | 5 | n/a | 5 (United States) | 7 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 10 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 12 (Canada) - 15 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 53 (Australia) |
| "Rat Race" | The Specials | May 1980 | n/a | 5 | 17 (Ireland) | 89 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) |
| "Refugee" | Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers | January 1980 | 15 | n/a | 2 (Canada) | 3 (New Zealand) - 11 (U.S. Cash Top Box 100) - 23 (Belgium) - 24 (Australia) - 24 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) |
| "Ride Like The Wind" | Christopher Cross | February 1980 | 2 | 69 | 2 (United Kingdom) | 3 (Canada) - 24 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 31 (New Zealand) |
| "Running Free" | Iron Maiden | February 1980 | n/a | 34 | 34 (United Kingdom) | 35 (New Zealand) |
| "Santa Maria" | Roland Kaiser | June 1980 | n/a | n/a | 1 (Germany, Netherlands) | n/a |
| "Sara" | Fleetwood Mac | January 1980 | 7 | 37 | 7 (United States) | See chart performance entry |
| "Sexy Eyes" | Dr. Hook | January 1980 | 5 | 4 | 1 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Shaddap You Face" | Joe Dolce | October 1980 | 53 | 1 | 1 (9 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "She's Out of My Life" | Michael Jackson | April 1980 | 10 | 3 | 3 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Shining Star" | The Manhattans | February 1980 | 5 | 45 | 2 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "So Long" | Fischer-Z | March 1980 | n/a | 72 | 5 ( Portugal) | 12 (Netherlands) - 14 ( Belgium) - 15 (Australia) |
| "The Spirit of Radio" | Rush | February 1980 | 51 | 13 | 13 (United Kingdom) | 22 (Canada) |
| "Steal Away" | Robbie Dupree | April 1980 | 6 | n/a | 6 (United States) | 2 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 5 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 14 (Canada) - 24 (Australia) - 85 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) |
| "Stomp!" | The Brothers Johnson | February 1980 | 7 | 6 | 1 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Stop the Cavalry" | Jona Lewie | December 1980 | n/a | 3 | 1 (Austria, France) | See chart performance entry |
| "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" | The S.O.S. Band | March 1980 | 3 | 51 | 3 (New Zealand) | See chart performance entry |
| "Talk of the Town" | The Pretenders | April 1980 | n/a | 8 | 8 (United Kingdom) | 14 (Ireland) - 24 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 55 (Australia) |
| "This Is It" | Kenny Loggins | January 1980 | 11 | n/a | 9 (Canada) | 8 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 9 (Canada) - 16 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 17 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 19 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 26 (Netherlands [Dutch top 40]) - 35 (New Zealand) - 85 (Australia) |
| "Tired of Toein' the Line" | Rocky Burnette | May 1980 | 8 | 58 | 1 (Australia) | 3 (New Zealand, South Africa) - 4 (Canada) - 6 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 9 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 39 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) |
| "Total Control" | The Motels | March 1980 | n/a | n/a | 7 (Australia) | 9 (US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100) - 11 (New Zealand) - 19 (France) |
| "Too Hot" | Kool & the Gang | January 1980 | 5 | 23 | 5 (United States) | 3 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 5 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 7 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 11 (U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks) - 18 (Canada) |
| "Touch and Go" | The Cars | August 1980 | 37 | n/a | 16 (Canada) | 38 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100 Singles) - 42 (New Zealand) - 62 (Australia) |
| "Turn It On Again" | Genesis | March 1980 | 58 | 8 | 8 (Italy, United Kingdom) | 12 (Ireland) - 32 (France) - 38 (Netherlands) - 49 (Canada) - 55 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) |
| "Turning Japanese" | The Vapors | January 1980 | 36 | 3 | 1 (Australia) | See chart performance entry |
| "Upside Down" | Diana Ross | June 1980 | 1 | 2 | 1 (11 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "The Wanderer" | Donna Summer | September 1980 | 3 | 48 | 3 (Canada) | See chart performance entry |
| "We Are Glass" | Gary Numan | May 1980 | n/a | 5 | 5 (United Kingdom, Israel) | 9 (Ireland) - 15 (Australia) - 42 (New Zealand) |
| "We Can Get Together" | Flowers | September 1980 | 62 | n/a | 16 (Australia) | 36 (New Zealand) |
| "What I Like About You" | The Romantics | January 1980 | 49 | n/a | 2 (Australia) | 8 (Netherlands) - 11 (Belgium) - 53 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) |
| "With You I'm Born Again" | Billy Preston and Syreeta | January 1980 | 4 | 2 | 2 (United Kingdom) | See chart performance entry |
| "Woman in Love" | Barbra Streisand | August 1980 | 1 | 1 | 1 (18 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "Xanadu" | Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra | June 1980 | 8 | 1 | 1 (10 countries) | See chart performance entry |
| "You May Be Right" | Billy Joel | March 1980 | 7 | n/a | 6 (Canada) | 14 (South Africa) - 23 (New Zealand) - 28 (Australia) - 48 (U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks) - 60 (Japan) |
| "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties" | Jona Lewie | March 1980 | n/a | 16 | 3 (New Zealand) | 21 (Australia) |
Number One hit singles
| Song title | Artist(s) | Release date(s) | Date reached number one | Weeks at number one | Country(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "(Just Like) Starting Over" | John Lennon | October 1980 | December 1980 | 5 weeks | 8 countries |
| "Amoureux solitaires" | Lio | September 1980 | October 1980 | 6 weeks | France, Italy |
| "Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)" | Pink Floyd | November 1979 | December 1979 | 4 weeks | 14 countries |
| "Ashes to Ashes" | David Bowie | August 1980 | August 1980 | 2 weeks | France, United Kingdom |
| "Atomic" | Blondie | February 1980 | March 1980 | 2 weeks | Luxembourg, United Kingdom |
| "Brass in Pocket" | The Pretenders | November 1979 | January 1980 | 2 weeks | 4 countries |
| "Call Me" | Blondie | February 1980 | April 1980 | 6 weeks | 4 countries |
| "Can't Stop the Music" | Village People | May 1980 | June 1980 | 4 weeks | Australia, South Africa |
| "Coward of the County" | Kenny Rogers | November 1979 | February 1980 | 2 weeks | Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom |
| "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" | Queen | October 1979 | February 1980 | 4 weeks | 4 countries |
| "Crying" | Don McLean | April 1980 | June 1980 | 3 weeks | 5 countries |
| "Do That to Me One More Time" | Captain & Tennille | October 1979 | February 1980 | 1 week | 5 countries |
| "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" | Rupert Holmes | September 1979 | December 1979 | 3 weeks | Canada, United States |
| "Feels Like I'm in Love" | Kelly Marie | November 1979 | September 1980 | 2 weeks | Denmark, United Kingdom |
| "Fly Too High" | Janis Ian | September 1979 | April 1980 | 1 week | South Africa |
| "Funkytown" | Lipps Inc. | March 1980 | May 1980 | 4 weeks | 13 countries |
| "Geno" | Dexys Midnight Runners | March 1980 | May 1980 | 2 weeks | United Kingdom |
| "Going Underground" / "Dreams of Children" | The Jam | March 1980 | March 1980 | 3 weeks | United Kingdom |
| "I Got You" | Split Enz | January 1980 | March 1980 | 8 weeks | Australia, New Zealand |
| "Lady" | Kenny Rogers | September 1980 | November 1980 | 6 weeks | United States |
| "Little Jeannie" | Elton John | May 1980 | July 1980 | 2 weeks | Canada |
| "Magic" | Olivia Newton-John | May 1980 | August 1980 | 4 weeks | Canada, United States |
| "Misunderstanding" | Genesis | March 1980 | August 1980 | 1 week | Canada |
| "Montego Bay" | Jon Stevens | January 1980 | January 1980 | 7 weeks | New Zealand |
| "Paradise Road" | Joy | 1980 | 1980 | 9 weeks | South Africa |
| "Please Don't Go" | KC and the Sunshine Band | July 1979 | January 1980 | 1 week | 4 countries |
| "Sailing" | Christopher Cross | May 1980 | August 1980 | 1 week | Canada, United States |
| "Shaddap You Face" | Joe Dolce | October 1980 | November 1980 | 8 weeks | 10 countries |
| "Start!" | The Jam | August 1980 | August 1980 | 1 week | United Kingdom |
| "Theme from M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)" | The Mash | March 1970 | May 1980 | 3 weeks | Ireland, United Kingdom |
| "Sun of Jamaica" | Goombay Dance Band | November 1979 | January 1980 | 9 weeks | 5 countries |
| "Super Trouper" | ABBA | November 1980 | November 1980 | 3 weeks | 6 countries |
| "Do The Locomotion" | Ritz | June 1979 | June 1980 | 1 weeks | New Zealand |
| "The Tide Is High" | Blondie | October 1980 | November 1980 | 2 weeks | 5 countries |
| "The Winner Takes It All" | ABBA | July 1980 | August 1980 | 2 weeks | 5 countries |
| "Tired of Toein' the Line" | Rocky Burnette | November 1979 | June 1980 | 1 weeks | Argentina, Australia |
| "Together We Are Beautiful" | Fern Kinney | March 1979 | March 1980 | 1 week | United Kingdom |
| "Too Much Too Young (EP)" | The Specials | January 1980 | February 1980 | 2 weeks | United Kingdom |
| "Upside Down" | Diana Ross | June 1980 | September 1980 | 4 weeks | 9 week |
| "What's Another Year" | Johnny Logan | April 1980 | May 1980 | 2 weeks | 8 countries |
| "Working My Way Back to You" | The Detroit Spinners | December 1979 | April 1980 | 2 weeks | Ireland, United Kingdom |
| "Xanadu" | Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra | June 1980 | July 1980 | 2 weeks | 11 countries |
| "Santa Maria" | Roland Kaiser | June 1980 | November 1980 | 5 weeks | Belgium, The Netherlands, West Germany |
| "Totus Tuus" | Dana | November 1979 | January 1980 | 1 week | Ireland |
Other Chart hit singles
- "Ace of Spades – Motörhead (# 15 UK)
- "After the News" – The Reels (# 65 Australia)
- "The Boys Light Up" – Australian Crawl (# 22 Australia)
- "Cheap Wine" - Cold Chisel (# 8 Australia)
- "Come Around" – Mental As Anything (# 18 Australia)
- "Dirty Mind" – Prince (# 65 U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles)
- "Downhearted" – Australian Crawl (# 12 Australia)
- "Face the Day" – The Angels (# 12 Australia)
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" – Japan (# 60 UK)
- "Happy House" – Siouxsie and the Banshees (# 17 UK)
- "High School Confidential" - Rough Trade (# 12 Canada, # 1 Canadian Content charts)
- "It's Only Love" - Elvis Presley (# 3 UK)
- "Just Keep Walking" – INXS (# 38 Australia)
- "Köppäbävisan" - Bengt Pegefelt (# 1 Sweden)
- "Let's Do Rock Steady" – The Bodysnatchers (# 22 UK)
- "Missing Words" – The Selecter (# 23 UK)
- "Modern Girl" – James Freud and the Radio Stars (# 12 Australia)
- "My Baby" – Cold Chisel (# 40 Australia, # 32 U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock)
- "No Secrets" – The Angels (# 8 Australia)
- "Pearlydumm" - BZN (# 1 Netherlands)
- "Sanctuary" – Iron Maiden (# 29 UK)
- "State of the Heart" - Mondo Rock (# 6 (Australia)
- "Strangers on a Train" – The Sports (# 22 Australia)
- "Space Invaders" - Player One (# 3 Australia)
- "Superman's Big Sister" – Ian Dury & The Blockheads (# 51 UK, # 90 Australia)
- "Three Minute Hero" – The Selecter (# 16 UK)
- "Wardance" – Killing Joke (# 50 U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs )
Notable singles
| Song title | Artist(s) | Release date(s) | Other Chart Performance(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "A Forest" | The Cure | March 1980 | 20 (Belgium) - 26 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 100]) - 31 (UK Singles Chart) - 38 (New Zealand) - 47 (U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs) |
| "Another Nail in My Heart" | Squeeze | January 1980 | 10 (Irish Singles Chart) - 17 (UK Singles Chart) - 56 (Canada) |
| "C·30 C·60 C·90 Go" b/w "Sun Sea and Piracy" | Bow Wow Wow | July 1980 | 34 (UK Singles Chart) |
| "Freedom of Choice" | Devo | May 1980 | 8 (US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 71 (Australia) - 103 (US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100) |
| "The Breaks" | Kurtis Blow | June 1980 | 4 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 9 (U.S. Billboard Dance chart) - 87 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100) |
| "The Friend Catcher" | The Birthday Party | September 1980 | 21 (UK Indie Charts) |
| "Holiday in Cambodia" | The Dead Kennedys | September 1980 | 2 (UK Indie Charts) |
| "I Will Follow" | U2 | October 1980 | 20 (U.S. Billboard Top Tracks) - 34 (New Zealand) - 71 (Australia) Note: This single charted in 1981. |
| "Kill the Poor" | Dead Kennedys | October 1980 | 1 (UK Indie Chart) - 49 (UK Singles Chart) |
| "Love Will Tear Us Apart" | Joy Division | June 1980 | 1 (New Zealand) - 1 (UK Indie Singles Chart) - 13 (UK Singles Chart) - 26 (Australia) - 42 (U.S. Billboard Disco Top 100) |
| "Rescue" | Echo & the Bunnymen | May 1980 | 62 (UK Singles Chart) |
| "Sister Europe" | The Psychedelic Furs | February 1980 | 47 (New Zealand) - 100 (Australia) |
| "Wardance" | Killing Joke | February 1980 | 50 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) |
Other notable singles
- "After the News" – The Reels
- "Girl U Want" – Devo
- "I Wanna Destroy You" – The Soft Boys
- "Janitor" – Suburban Lawns
- "Just Keep Walking" - INXS
- "Mr. Clarinet" – The Birthday Party
- "Two People Per Sq. Km." – Models
- "Simple Simon" – INXS
- "Too Many Creeps" – Bush Tetras
Classical music
- George Crumb – A Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979, for piano
- Mario Davidovsky
- Consorts, for symphonic band
- String Quartet No. 4
- Peter Maxwell Davies
- Farewell to Stromness (interlude from The Yellow Cake Review), for piano, Op. 89, No. 1
- Symphony No. 2, Op. 91
- A Welcome to Orkney, for ensemble, Op. 90
- The Yellow Cake Revue, for singer or reciter and piano, Op. 88
- Yesnaby Ground (interlude from The Yellow Cake Review), for piano, Op. 89, No. 2
- Sofia Gubaidulina – Offertorium («Жертвоприношение»), concerto for violin and orchestra
- Helmut Lachenmann – Ein Kinderspiel, seven little pieces for piano
- Trygve Madsen – Sonata for Tuba and Piano
- Arvo Pärt – De profundis, for accompanied chorus; first performance 1981
- Krzysztof Penderecki – Symphony No. 2: "Christmas"'
- Simeon ten Holt
- Natalon in E for piano
- Bi-Ba-Bo for vocal quartet
Opera
- Peter Maxwell Davies – Cinderella (children's opera)
- Lorenzo Ferrero – Marilyn
- Margaret Garwood – Rappacini's Daughter
- Philip Glass – Satyagraha
- Kirke Mechem – Tartuffe
- William Mathias – The Servants (libretto by Iris Murdoch)
- Karlheinz Stockhausen – Donnerstag aus Licht
- Mieczysław Weinberg – The Portrait
Jazz
Musical theater
- Barnum – Broadway production opened at the St. James Theatre on April 30 and ran for 854 performances
- Brigadoon (Lerner & Loewe) – Broadway revival opened at the Majestic Theatre on October 16 and ran for 133 performances
- Camelot (Lerner & Loewe) – Broadway revival opened at the New York State Theater on July 8 and ran for 56 performances
- Colette – London production opened at the Comedy Theatre on September 24 and ran for 47 performances
- A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine – Broadway production opened at the John Golden Theatre on April 2 and transferred to the Royale Theatre on June 17 for a total run of 588 performances
- Forty-Second Street – Broadway production opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on August 25, transferred to the Majestic Theatre on March 30, 1981, and transferred to the St. James Theatre on April 7, 1987, for a total run of 3486 performances
- The Life and Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby – London production opened at the Aldwych Theatre on June 5
- On The Twentieth Century – London production opened at Her Majesty's Theatre on March 19 and ran for 165 performances
- Sweeney Todd (Stephen Sondheim) – London production opened at the Drury Lane Theatre on July 2 and ran for 157 performances
- The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg London production opened at the Phoenix Theatre on April 10
- West Side Story (Leonard Bernstein) – Broadway revival opened at the Minskoff Theatre on February 14 and ran for 333 performances
Musical films
Births
- January 11 – Lee Ji-hye, South Korean singer (Sharp)
- January 12 – Amerie, American singer, songwriter, actress and writer
- January 14 – Hiroshi Tamaki, Japanese actor, model, and singer
- January 15 – Lydia, Spanish singer
- January 16 – Lin-Manuel Miranda, American playwright, singer, songwriter, rapper and composer
- January 17 – Zooey Deschanel, American actress and singer-songwriter.
- January 18 – Estelle, British singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actress
- January 21 – Nana Mizuki, Japanese voice actress and singer
- January 22 – Bart Claessen, Dutch DJ and record producer
- January 28
- Nick Carter, American singer, actor and musician (Backstreet Boys)
- Brian Fallon, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
- January 30
- Wilmer Valderrama, American actor, singer, producer and television personality
- Josh Kelley, American musician
- Mikey, South Korean singer (Turbo)
- February 3 – Sarah Lewitinn, American record producer and journalist
- February 5 – Tiwa Savage, Nigerian singer
- February 7
- William Tell, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the piano rock band Something Corporate.
- Lee Jung-hyun, South Korean actress and singer
- February 12 – Gucci Mane, American rapper
- February 15 – Conor Oberst, American singer-songwriter (Bright Eyes)
- February 17 – Vahe Tilbian, Ethiopian singer
- February 18
- Cezar, Romanian opera singer and pianist
- Regina Spektor, Russian-American singer-songwriter[29]
- February 22
- Shamari Fears, American singer-songwriter and actress (Blaque)
- Kang Sung-hoon, South Korean singer
- February 27
- Cyrus Bolooki, (New Found Glory)
- Bobby V, American R&B singer
- Yoon Min-soo, South Korean singer (4Men)
- February 26 – Alex Fong Lik-Sun, Hong Kong singer and actor
- February 28 – Choi Sung-hee, South Korean singer (S.E.S.)
- March 1 – Russ Spencer, English singer and television presenter (Scooch)
- March 2
- Vince Walker, American rock singer (Suburban Legends)
- Rebel Wilson, Australian actress, writer, comedienne, singer and producer
- March 7 – Laura Prepon, American actress and director
- March 8 – Charli Robinson, Australian actress, singer and dancer
- March 9 – Chingy, American rapper
- March 13
- Flavia Cacace, Italian dancer
- Kim Nam-gil, South Korean actor
- March 18 - Chantelle Barry, Australian actress and singer (Bardot)
- March 19 – Agnes Pihlava, Finnish pop singer
- March 20
- Mikk Murdvee, violinist and conductor
- Ock Joo-hyun, South Korean singer (Fin.K.L)
- March 21
- Deryck Whibley, Canadian musician and producer (Sum 41) (Avril Lavigne)
- Lee Jin, South Korean singer (Fin.K.L)
- March 22 – Shannon Bex, American singer, reality show personality, professional dancer (Danity Kane. Dumblonde)
- March 26 – Son Ho-young, South Korean-American singer and actor (g.o.d)
- March 27
- Tai Orathai, Luk Thung singer
- Sean Ryan, American footballer
- March 28 – Rasmus Seebach, Danish singer-songwriter and record producer
- March 29 – Andy Scott-Lee, Welsh singer (3SL) brother of Lisa Scott-Lee
- March 30 – Yalin, Turkish pop singer and songwriter
- March 31
- Trenyce, American singer
- Maaya Sakamoto, Japanese singer
- April 5 – Lee Jae-won, South Korean rapper (H.O.T., jtL)
- April 9 - Albert Hammond Jr, American guitarist (The Strokes)
- April 10 – Bryce Soderberg, Canadian musician (Lifehouse)
- April 12 – Brian McFadden, Irish (Was part of Westlife)
- April 14 – Win Butler, American/Canadian musician
- April 15 – Patrick Carney, American musician and producer (The Black Keys) (Michelle Branch)
- April 16 – Jake Andrews, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
- April 21 - Rai Thistlethwayte, Australian Thirsty Merc, Sun Rai, Jazz, Rock Musician (Worked with Delta Goodrem)
- April 24 – Danny Gokey, American Idol season 8 finalist
- April 26 – Channing Tatum, American dancer, performer and actor (Jessie J, Jenna Dewan)
- April 28 – Robert Skowronski, Swedish singer (Supernatural)
- April 29 – Kian Egan (Westlife)
- May 3 – Souleye (hip hop artist), American rapper and hip hop artist (Bassnectar, BLVD, Alanis Morissette)
- May 5
- Maia Hirasawa, Swedish pop singer
- Hank Green, American singer, songwriter, educator, blogger, science communicator, entrepreneur and author.
- May 6 – Taebin, Korean hip-hop artist (1TYM)
- May 8 – Michelle McManus, Scottish singer and television presenter
- May 10 - Madeleine Sami, New Zealand musician, actress, comedian, and film producer.
- May 12 – Romina Arena, Italian-American singer-songwriter
- May 16 – Harmony Samuels, English record producer, composer and songwriter.
- May 17 – Ariën van Weesenbeek, Dutch drummer, screamer, keyboardist, percussion (Epica, MaYaN)
- May 21
- May 24 – Cecilia Cheung, Hong Kong singer and actress
- May 28
- Mark Feehily (Westlife)
- Lindi Ortega, Canadian country singer-songwriter
- May 30 – Remy Ma, American rapper and songwriter (Terror Squad)
- May 31 – Andy Hurley, American drummer (Fall Out Boy and The Damned Things)
- June 2 – Orish Grinstead, American R&B singer (died 2008)
- June 5 – Brandi Shearer, American singer-songwriter
- June 6 – Peter Mosely, American bass player (Yellowcard and Inspection 12)
- June 7 – Henkka Seppälä, Finnish bassist (Children of Bodom)
- June 13 – Sarah Connor, German singer
- June 16 – Joey Yung, Hong Kong singer
- June 17 – Kimeru, Japanese singer
- June 18 – Colin Munroe, Canadian singer-songwriter and producer
- June 20 – Tony Lovato (Mest)
- June 23
- Jessica Taylor, English singer, television personality, and dancer (Liberty X)
- Theresa Wayman, also known by the stage name TT, is an American musician, singer-songwriter and occasional actress, best known as guitarist and vocalist of the indie rock band Warpaint.
- June 26 – Jason Schwartzman (Phantom Planet)
- June 27 – Jennifer Goodridge, American keyboard player (Your Enemies Friends)
- June 29 – Katherine Jenkins, Welsh soprano
- July 1 – Ko Ji-yong, South Korean singer and businessman (Sechs Kies)
- July 2 – Ciara Sotto, Filipina singer and actress
- July 3 – Kid Sister, American rapper
- July 5
- Pauly D, American DJ (Britney Spears)
- Mads Tolling, Danish-American violinist and composer (Turtle Island Quartet)
- July 6 – Joell Ortiz, American rapper (Slaughterhouse)
- July 10
- Jessica Simpson, American singer-songwriter, designer and actress
- Julie Crochetière, Canadian singer
- July 11 – Jenny Hval, Norwegian singer-songwriter, record producer and musician.
- July 13
- Corey Clark, American singer
- Emile Haynie, American record producer (Lana Del Rey, Bruno Mars, Dua Lipa, Florence Welch)
- July 15 – JW-Jones, Canadian blues artist
- July 16 – Jang Su-won, South Korean singer (Sechs Kies)
- July 17 – Kaya (Japanese musician), Japanese visual kei musician, EDM artist
- July 18 – Kristen Bell, American actress, vocal actress and singer
- July 19 – Xavier Malisse. Belgian tennis player
- July 20
- Dado Dolabella, Brazilian actor and singer
- Mike Kennerty (The All-American Rejects)
- July 21 – Really Doe, American rapper
- July 22
- July 23 – Sandeep Parikh, American writer, director, actor and producer
- July 25 – Diam's, French rapper and singer of Greek Cypriot origin.
- July 30 – Seth Avett, American singer and guitarist (The Avett Brothers)
- July 5 – Rebeka Dremelj, Slovenian singer
- July 26 – Dave Baksh (Sum 41)
- July 28
- Stephen Christian, American Christian rock singer (Anberlin)
- Noel Sullivan, Welsh singer (Hear'Say) and actor
- July 30 – Diam's, French rapper
- August 9 - Rob Knox, Anerucan producer and singer songwriter
- August 12
- Matt Thiessen, Canadian singer/guitarist
- Jade Villalon, American singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress (Sweetbox)
- August 16
- Vanessa Carlton, American singer-songwriter, musician
- Øystein Moen, Norwegian pianist and composer (Puma and Jaga Jazzist)
- Bob Hardy, English bassist (Franz Ferdinand)
- Hwangbo, South Korean singer and rapper (Chakra)
- August 17 – Lene Marlin, Norwegian singer and musician
- August 19
- Houcine Camara, French singer
- Darius Danesh, Scottish singer-songwriter & actor
- Jun Jin, South Korean singer (Shinhwa)
- August 20 - Mayra Veronica, American singer, model, actress and television personality
- August 26
- Macaulay Culkin, American actor, author, painter, podcaster, musician and president of Bunnyears
- Jim Beanz, American music producer, singer, songwriter and record producer
- August 29
- Nicholas Tse, Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor
- Richa Sharma, playback singer
- August 30 – Alicia Warrington, American drummer (Lillix)
- August 31 – Joe Budden, American rapper
- September 3 – B.G., American rapper
- September 5 – Kevin Simm, English singer (Liberty X)
- September 6 – Kerry Katona, English singer, author, model (Atomic Kitten)
- September 7 – Nigar Jamal, Azerbaijani singer
- September 9 – Michelle Williams, American actress
- September 10 – Mikey Way, bassist of My Chemical Romance
- September 13 – Teppei Teranishi (Thrice)
- September 14 – Ayọ, Nigerian-German singer-songwriter and actress
- September 15 - Jolin Tsai, a Taiwanese singer, songwriter, and actress.
- September 16 – Special D., German DJ and producer
- September 19 – Tegan and Sara Quin (Tegan And Sara), Canadian singer-songwriters, musicians, multi-instrumentalists
- September 20 – Yung Joc, American rapper
- September 21
- Kareena Kapoor Khan, Indian actress
- Disco D, American record producer and composer (d. 2007)
- September 24
- Homeboy Sandman, American rapper
- Anna Calvi, English singer-songwriter and guitarist
- September 25 – T.I., American rapper
- September 29
- Dallas Green (musician), Canadian singer/songwriter
- Zachary Levi, American actor, singer and comedian
- October 3 – Danny O'Donoghue, Irish singer
- October 5 – Paul Thomas (Good Charlotte)
- October 8 – Nick Cannon, American actor and rapper
- October 10 – Sherine, Egyptian singer
- October 11 – Colleen Lee, Hong Kong classical pianist
- October 12 – Soledad Pastorutti, Argentine folklore singer and The Voice coach
- October 13 – Ashanti, American singer-songwriter, actress, dancer
- October 15 – Siiri Nordin, Finnish singer-songwriter
- October 18 – Josh Gracin, American singer
- October 20
- Gary Jarman, British bassist & vocalist (The Cribs)
- Ryan Jarman, British guitarist & vocalist (The Cribs)
- October 21 – Brian Pittman, American bassist (Relient K)
- October 22 – Garrett Tierney, American bassist (Brand New)
- October 23 - Yoo Soo-young, South Korean singer (S.E.S.)
- October 24
- Kaushiki Chakraborty, Indian classical vocalist
- Monica, American singer, songwriter, producer and actress
- October 27 – Tanel Padar, Estonian singer-songwriter and guitarist
- October 28 – Natina Reed, American singer, rapper and actress (Blaque) (d. 2012)
- October 29 – Ben Foster, American actor
- October 31 – Isabella Summers, English musician, songwriter, producer, remixer, DJ (Florence and the Machine).
- November 3 – Dan Marsala, American musician
- November 4 – George Huff, American singer
- November 5 – Essaï Altounian, French-Armenian actor, singer-songwriter, keyboardist and music producer
- November 7 – Karthik, playback singer
- November 10 – Calvin Chen, Taiwanese pop singer
- November 12
- Shaun Cooper, American bass player
- Ryan Gosling, American actor, musician and singer (contributed music to: Dead Man's Bone, La La Land, Barbie (film))
- November 14 – Matt Brann, Canadian drummer
- November 15 – Ace Young, American singer and reality show finalist
- November 17 – Isaac Hanson (Hanson)
- November 18 – Dustin Kensrue (Thrice)
- November 26 – Satoshi Ohno, Japanese singer
- November 28 – Lisa Middelhauve, German singer (Xandria)
- November 29 – Janina Gavankar, American musician and actress
- December 1 – Roger Peterson, Aruban-Dutch singer-songwriter
- December 3
- Jenna Dewan, American dancer, performer, business woman, choreographer, producer, actor and television host
- Natalia, Belgian singer
- December 5 – Ibrahim Maalouf, trumpeter
- December 6 – Kei Yasuda, Japanese singer
- December 7 – Choi Jung-in, South Korean singer
- December 8 – Kate Voegele, American singer-songwriter and actress
- December 9 – Simon Helberg, American actor, comedian, singer and pianist
- December 10
- Sarah Chang, American classical violinist
- Chris Gaylor (The All-American Rejects)
- December 14 – Tata Young, Thai-American singer and actress
- December 16 – Axle Whitehead, Australian singer, musician, TV host and actor
- December 18 – Christina Aguilera, American R&B-Soul singer-songwriter
- December 19 – Verbal Jint, South Korean musician, rapper and record producer
- December 20 – Yangwei Linghua, Chinese singer, member of Phoenix Legend
- December 24
- Tomas Kalnoky, American musician (Streetlight Manifesto)
- Maarja-Liis Ilus, Estonian pop singer and presenter
- December 25 – Park Ji-young, South Korean singer, dancer and actress, former leader of After School
Deaths
- January 1 – Adolph Deutsch (82), American composer
- January 2 – J. Mayo Williams (85), African American blues music producer
- January 3 – Amos Milburn (52), African American R&B singer and pianist
- January 6
- Poley McClintock, jazz musician
- Georgeanna Tillman (36), pop and R&B singer
- January 7 – Larry Williams (44), singer, songwriter and pianist
- January 13 – Andre Kostelanetz (78), Russian-born conductor and arranger
- January 21 – Elvira de Hidalgo (88), coloratura soprano and singing teacher
- January 29
- Jimmy Durante (86), pianist & entertainer[30]
- Edward Lewis (79), founder of Decca Records
- January 30 – Professor Longhair (61), pianist
- February 17 – Jerry Fielding (57), American conductor and music director (heart failure)
- February 18
- Muriel Brunskill (80), British contralto
- Gale Robbins (58), American singer and actress (lung cancer)
- February 19 – Bon Scott (33), lead singer of AC/DC (acute alcohol poisoning)
- February 28 – Dinorá de Carvalho (75), Brazilian pianist, conductor and composer
- March 5 – Winifred Wagner (82), daughter-in-law of Richard Wagner, close friend of Adolf Hitler (born 1897)
- March 14 – Anna Jantar (29), Polish singer (air crash)
- March 18 - Jessica Dragonette (80), American singer
- March 23 – Jacob Miller (27), reggae artist
- March 25 – Walter Susskind (66), Czech conductor[31]
- March 26
- John Poulos (32), the Buckinghams, drug overdose
- Ted Shapiro (80), songwriter & pianist
- March 28 – Dick Haymes, (63), Argentinian-born US singer and actor[30]
- March 29 – Mantovani (74), Italian-born British orchestra leader and composer
- April 4 – Red Sovine (62), American country & folk singer & songwriter
- April 20 – Katherine Kennicott Davis (87), American composer
- April 22 – Jane Froman (72), American singer and actress[32]
- April 28 – Tommy Caldwell (30), bassist of Marshall Tucker Band (car accident)
- May 4 – Joe "Mr Piano" Henderson (60), pianist (heart attack)[33]
- May 18 – Ian Curtis (23), lead singer of Joy Division (suicide)
- May 30 – Carl Radle (37), rock bassist
- June 11 – Bolesław Woytowicz (80), Polish pianist and composer
- June 16 – Bob Nolan (72), country singer and songwriter
- June 20 – Allan Pettersson (68), Swedish composer
- June 21 – Bert Kaempfert (56), German composer, bandleader and arranger (stroke)
- June 27 – Barney Bigard (74), jazz clarinetist
- June 28 – José Iturbi (84), pianist[30]
- July 5 – A. J. Potter (72), Irish composer
- July 9 – Vinicius de Moraes (66), Brazilian lyricist and composer
- July 14 – Malcolm Owen (26), Lead singer The Ruts (overdose)
- July 15 – Ben Selvin (82), "The Dean of Recorded Music"
- July 23 – Keith Godchaux (32), keyboardist with Grateful Dead (car accident)
- July 25 – Vladimir Vysotsky (42), Russian singer-songwriter, poet, actor (heart failure)
- July 31 – Mohammed Rafi (55), Indian singer (heart attack)[34]
- August 5 - George Scott III (26), American No Wave bassist for Contortions and John Cale, heroin overdose
- August 11 – Jacques Singer (70), conductor
- August 17 – Harold Adamson (73), lyricist
- August 18 – John Sebastian (66), harmonica virtuoso
- August 20 – Joe Dassin (41), singer (heart attack)[35]
- August 22 – Cosmé McMoon (79), pianist and composer
- August 26 – Miliza Korjus (71), Estonian-Polish opera singer
- September 2 – Marcel Ciampi (89), French pianist and teacher
- September 7 – Arvella Gray (74), blues and folk singer and guitarist
- September 12 – Lillian Randolph (81), actress and singer
- September 15 – Bill Evans (51), jazz pianist
- September 16 – Ludmila Červinková (72), operatic soprano
- September 17 – Waldemar Seidel (87), Australian pianist
- September 18 – Walter Midgley (67), English operatic tenor
- September 25 – John Bonham (32), drummer (Led Zeppelin) (pulmonary aspiration)
- September 30 – Horace Finch (74), pianist and organist
- October 3 – Jerzy Żurawlew (93), pianist, conductor, teacher, and founder of the International Chopin Piano Competition.
- October 25 – Virgil Fox (68), organist (cancer)
- October 27 – Steve Peregrin Took (31), bongo player for Tyrannosaurus Rex later a solo artist/frontman (asphyxiation)
- November 15 – Bill Lee (64), American actor and playback singer (brain tumor)[36]
- December 7 – Darby Crash (22), singer of the (Germs) (suicide)
- December 8 – John Lennon (40), singer, guitarist and songwriter (The Beatles) (murdered)
- December 24 – Siggie Nordstrom (87), American model, actress, entertainer, socialite and lead singer (The Nordstrom Sisters)
- December 29 – Tim Hardin (39), singer-songwriter (heroin overdose)
- December 31 – Robert Pete Williams (66), blues singer and guitarist
