1978 in music

Table of contents

1 Events 2 Top hits on record 3 Published popular songs 4 Musical theater 5 Musical films 6 Opera 7 Births 8 Deaths

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

• "A Little More Love" - Olivia Newton-John
• "Bad Boy" - Ringo Starr
• "Birdland" - Weather Report
• "Cocain" - Eric Clapton
• "Ego" - Elton John
• "Gold Dust Woman" - Fleetwood Mac
• "Grease" - Frankie Valli
• "Hot Child In The City" - Nick Gilder
• "I Fought The Law" - The Clash
• "Jungle Love" - Steve Miller Band
• "Last Dance" - Donna Summer
• "Lay Down Sally" - Eric Clapton
• "Lights" - Journey
• "Livingston Saturday Night" - Jimmy Buffet
• "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
• "Straight On" - Heart
• "Still The Same" - Bob Seger
• "Stayin' Alive" - The Bee Gees
• "Three Little Birds" - Bob Marley
• "Wonderful Tonight" - Eric Clapton

• 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

• Grease
• The Wiz

• ? - 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

• 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