Music History

The Australian band Little River Band released the song „It's a Long Way There“.

KISS released the soft-rock ballad “Beth,” which reached number seven and became their only US Top 10 hit.

Rod Stewart released the single “Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright),” which later became his second U.S. No. 1 hit. In the United Kingdom, it reached No. 5 despite being boycotted by British radio stations because of its suggestive lyrics. The recording featured whispered French vocals by his then-girlfriend, actress Britt Ekland.

Sixteen years after its release, Ricky Nelson's single “Travelin' Man” received RIAA gold certification for sales of 500,000 copies. Jerry Fuller wrote the song with Sam Cooke in mind, but Cooke's manager rejected the demo. Nelson's version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was released on Imperial Records as a double A-side with “Hello Mary Lou”, which reached No. 9. In the UK, the two songs jointly reached No. 2, and “Travelin' Man” became Nelson's biggest British hit.

Donna Summer released “I Feel Love” in the United States.

Canadian progressive rock band Rush released their fifth studio album "A Farewell to Kings".

Generation X released their debut single “Your Generation.”

Paul Simon released the song "Slip Slidin' Away."

They released their third single, “Can’t Stand Losing You”, which followed their debut hit “Roxanne”. The song was written by singer and bassist Sting as a song about suicide and caused controversy with its cover depicting Stewart Copeland appearing to hang himself.

Frankie Valli released the single “Grease”, which later reached No. 1 on the US chart.

The Rolling Stones released "Beast of Burden" in the US, where it reached No. 8. Rolling Stone later ranked it No. 435 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Queen released the double-sided single “Fat Bottomed Girls” / “Bicycle Race” in the UK. The cover combined visual themes from both songs. The record reached number 11 on the UK chart and, after its US release eleven days later, peaked at number 24 on the American chart.

AC/DC released “Highway to Hell,” the band’s final studio album with singer Bon Scott.

Talking Heads released their third studio album, “Fear of Music,” on Sire Records. The album was produced by Brian Eno.

Prince released the song „I Wanna Be Your Lover“, which became his first American hit.

They released their debut EP “U2-3,” their very first recording. The first pressing consisted of 1,000 individually numbered copies and was available only in Ireland.

Gary Numan released the album “The Pleasure Principle” in the UK.

The Clash released the single “Bank Robber,” which had previously been available only as an import. Their record label, CBS, had initially rejected its release, considering the song insufficiently commercial.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono began recording the album “Double Fantasy” at The Hit Factory in New York, Lennon’s final studio album.

Pat Benatar released her second studio album, “Crimes of Passion.” It was her first Top 10 album and later reached No. 2 on the U.S. albums chart. It also featured her first Top 10 single, “Hit Me with Your Best Shot.”

His autobiography I, Me, Mine was published, making him the first member of The Beatles to publish an autobiography. John Lennon later criticized the book for almost completely ignoring his influence on Harrison's life.

Queen released the single “Another One Bites the Dust”.

David Bowie released the single “Ashes to Ashes”.

David Bowie released “Ashes to Ashes”, which reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart. The song continued the story of the character Major Tom.

John Lennon released "Starting Over," his first single in five years. At the end of December it would top the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and the UK chart for one week.

Stevie Nicks released her first solo album, “Bella Donna,” which contained four U.S. Top 40 hits: “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” with Tom Petty, “Leather and Lace” with Don Henley, “Edge of Seventeen” and “After the Glitter Fades.”

Prince released the single “Controversy”.

George Strait's debut album Strait Country was released in the US.

The Clash released the single “Should I Stay or Should I Go” in the UK.

Culture Club released the single “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” in the United Kingdom. Critics were not particularly favorable; Smash Hits magazine described it as “fourth-rate reggae”.

Paul McCartney released the single "Tug Of War".

The first compact disc was released in the United States; it was a German-made reissue of Billy Joel’s 1978 album “52nd Street”.

Metallica released the single “Whiplash”. It was their first single.

The Police released the single “King Of Pain”.

Prince released the song “Delirious”.

Cyndi Lauper released the single “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” on Portrait Records, backed with “Right Track Wrong Train.”

Madonna released her first single, “Holiday”.

Culture Club released the single "Church of the Poison Mind."

John Cougar Mellencamp released the single "Crumblin' Down", the first single to include his last name.

Cyndi Lauper reached No. 1 on the Canadian RPM Singles Chart with “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” beginning a two-week run at the top.

RCA Victor Records released Elvis Presley's single "Baby, Let's Play House".

Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It” was released in the United States and reached No. 1 on the US chart.

Prince's 12-inch single "Let's Go Crazy/Erotic City" was released in the US.

Stevie Wonder released "I Just Called to Say I Love You" in the United Kingdom.

The Cars reissued “Drive” following its prominent use during the televised Live Aid broadcast.

Whitney Houston released the single “Saving All My Love for You” in the US.

Lionel Richie released the album “Dancing on the Ceiling.”