1978 in music

Events

• April 22 - The Blues Brothers make their first appearance on Saturday Night Live. The duo of Jake & Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) was introduced by Paul Shaffer (as Don Kirschner) and performed "Hey Bartender".
• April 26 - Ringo Starr's, Ringo, a musical version of The Prince and the Pauper airs on American television. Starr's fellow former Beatle George Harrison provides the narration.
• May - The Knack forms
• Sony introduces the first portable stereo, which is called the Walkman.
• Gary Busey stars in The Buddy Holly Story, which won the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Busey) and Best Sound.
• The Beatles spoof, "The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash" airs on television.
• The Eagles' 5-star record, "Hotel California" was nominated for a Grammy award
• Steve Martin performs the original "King Tut" on Saturday Night Live. The song is later released as a single and becomes a hit for the comedian.
• Van Halen's musical career begins
• The Beastie Boys form
• The Pretenders form
• Social Distortion form

Albums released

• Kaya - Bob Marley and the Wailers

Top hits on record

• "A Little More Love" - Olivia Newton-John
• "Baby Come Back"- Player
• "Bad Boy" - Ringo Starr
• "Birdland" - Weather Report
• "Boogie Oogie Oogie"- A Taste Of Honey
• "Cocain" - Eric Clapton
• "Copacabana (At the Copa)" - Barry Manilow
• "Ego" - Elton John
• "Gold Dust Woman" - Fleetwood Mac
• "Grease" - Frankie Valli
• "Hopelessly Devoted to You" - Olivia Newton-John
• "Hot Child In The City" - Nick Gilder
• "I Fought The Law" - The Clash
• "If I Can't Have You" - Yvonne Elliman
• "Jungle Love" - Steve Miller Band
• "Kiss You All Over"- Exile
• "Last Dance" - Donna Summer
• "Lay Down Sally" - Eric Clapton
• "Lights" - Journey
• "Livingston Saturday Night" - Jimmy Buffet
• "Love Is (Thicker Than Water)"- Andy Gibb
• "Miss You" - Rolling Stones
• "Movin' Out" - Billy Joel
• "Night Fever" - The Bee Gees
• "One More For The Rodeo" - UFO
• "Part-Time Love" - Elton John
• "R.U. Ready 2 Rock" - Blue Oyster Cult
• "Running On Empty" - Jackson Browne
• "Shadow Dancing'"- Andy Gibb
• "Straight On" - Heart
• "Still The Same" - Bob Seger
• "Stayin' Alive" - The Bee Gees
• "Three Little Birds" - Bob Marley
• "Three Times A Lady" - Commodores
• "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late"- Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams
• "With A Little Luck" - Wings
• "Wonderful Tonight" - Eric Clapton
• "You Needed Me" - Anne Murray
• "You're the One that I Want" - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John

Published popular songs

• "Just The Way You Are" w.m. Billy Joel
• "Only The Good Die Young" w.m. Billy Joel
• "Sultans Of Swing" w.m. Mark Knopfler
• "Three Times A Lady" w.m. Lionel Richie
• "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" w. Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman & Neil Diamond m. Neil Diamond

Musical theater

• Ain't Misbehavin' Broadway production
• The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas Broadway production
• Eubie Broadway production
• Evita London production
• Hello Dolly Broadway revival
• I'm Getting My Act Together... Broadway production
• Piano BarBroadway production
• Timbuktu Broadway production
• On The Twentieth Century Broadway production

Musical films

• Grease
• The Wiz

Opera

• The Red Line (Punainen viiva) by Aulis Sallinen

Births

• ? - Kris Roe, The Ataris
• March 11 - Joel, Good Charlotte
• April 22 - Daniel Johns, Silverchair
• May 1 - Matt Lovato, Mest
• August 23 - Julian Casablancas, The Strokes
• August 28 - Max Collins, Eve 6
• September 13 - Fiona Apple
• September 30 - Steve Klein, New Found Glory
• October 14 - Usher
• November 9 - Sisqo
• December 1 - Brad Delson, Linkin Park

Deaths

• January 23 - Terry Kath, Chicago guitarist and vocalist
• January 31 - Greg Herbert, Blood Sweat & Tears saxophonist
• April 21 - Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention, Fotheringay, cerebral haemorrhage
• August 24 - Louis Prima
• September 7 - Keith Moon, drummer for The Who

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