1980

Bands Formed

Bad Religion

Los Angeles, California
Punk

Depeche Mode

Basildon, England
New Wave

Einstürzende
Neubauten

West Berlin, Germany
Industrial

Eurythmics

London, England
New Wave

Happy Mondays

Salford, England
Alternative Dance

Manowar

New York, New York, USA
Heavy Metal

Meat Puppets

Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Alternative Rock

Minor Threat

Washington, D.C. USA
Hardcore Punk

Minutemen

San Pedro, California, USA
Punk

New Order

Salford, England
Alternative Dance

R.E.M.

Athens, Georgia, USA
Alternative Rock

Suicidal
Tendencies

Venice, California, USA
Punk

January 16th

Wings tour cancelled after Paul McCartney arrested for possession of marijuana in Tokyo.

January 25th

Paul McCartney released from jail and removed from Japan.

February 19th

Bon Scott, of AC/DC, dies at 33 of alcohol poisoning. There is speculation his death involved heroin.

February 27th - Grammy Awards

Album of the Year: Billy Joel - 52nd Street.

Song of the Year: The Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes.

March 8th to March 16th - Tblisi Rock Festival

First official rock festival held in the Soviet Union. Previously, the music had been seen as a form of Western corruption.

March 20th

The end of the British pirate station Radio Caroline after vessel sinks at sea.

April 14th

Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden is released. Debut album.

April 22nd

The Cure - Seventeen Seconds is released.

May 18th

Ian Curtis, of Joy Division, dies at 23 by suicide.

June 25th

Launch of the Sony Walkman.

July 18th

Joy Division - Closer is released.

July 25th

AC/DC release Back in Black.

August 19th

A riot ensues at the Alice Cooper concert in Toronto.

September 2nd

Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is released.

September 25th

John Bonham, drummer of Led Zeppelin, dies at 32 of choking.

October 11th

Talking Heads - Remain in Light is released.

December 4th

Led Zeppelin disband.

December 8th

John Lennon is murdered at 40.