Filed under: MTV is launched, providing 24-hour music programming. The first video aired is “Video Killed The Radio Star by Buggles.
Kim Carnes’ releases her sixth solo album “Mistaken Identity”. The album hits #1 and spawns the single, “Bette Davis Eyes”, which spent nine weeks at #1.
The Clash play string of 17 shows at Bond’s, NY due to over-selling of shows by promoters.
Cheap Trick get sued by CBS for not recording a new album in an attempt to convince the label to renegotiate their contract. The highlight of the year for them was a concert in front of a massive hometown crowd at the ChicagoFest music festival.
Prince releases Controversy, as well as writing, performing and producing The Time’s debut effort.
Tom Petty challenges his label, MCA, when they attempt to unveil their new higher pricing with the release of his new album, Hard Promises. The label eventually balks and the album is released at the lower price.
Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks released her debut solo effort, Bella Donna, which peaked at #1, launching the Top 5 singles “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” (with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) and “Leather And Lace” (with Don Henley). “Edge Of Seventeen” peaked at #11.
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, originally released in Australia in 1976 and featuring singer Bon Scott (who passed away 1980) is released in the U.S. in April ‘81
Van Halen release “Fair Warning”, the least commercially-successful release to feature singer David Lee Roth. That same year, Eddie Van Halen marries actress Valerie Bertinelli.
Former Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne releases his debut solo album in the U.S. in January ‘81.
After being reduced to a four-piece, Foreigner release their fourth album, “4″, in July ‘81. The album goes on to hit #1 “Urgent” goes to #1 on the pop singles chart.
Queen and David Bowie record “Under Pressure”, peaking at #29 on the U.S. Singles charts.
U2 make their U.S. relevision debut on the “Tomorrow With Tom Snyder” show. In October, they release their second album, “October”, in October. The album peaked at #104 on the U.S charts while hitting #11 in the UK.
After three albums, and having begun work on demos for a fourth, the Buzzcocks break up.
In September, Simon & Garfunkel reunite to perform a free concert in New York’s Central Park to over 500,000 fans.
James Taylor released “Dad Loves His Work” (the title a direct result of then-wife Carly Simon’s demands that he spend more time at home with her and their children). The album peaked at #10, spawning the single “Her Town Too, which peaked at #11.
L.A. all-female band, the Go-Go’s release their debut album, Beauty & The Beat, which went on to hit #1, where it stayed for six weeks. The album included the singles “Our Lips Are Sealed” (#20) and “We Got The Beat” (#2).
Paul McCartney disbands Wings.
Three years after the death of drummer Keith Moon,, the Who release “Face Dances” with new drummer Kenny Jones. The album peaks at #4 and includes the Top 20 single “You Better You Bet”.
Billy Squier releases his second solo album, “Don’t Say No”, which peaked at #5 and spawned the Top 20 hit single, “The Stroke”.
Squeeze release their fourth studio album, “East Side Story” and enjoy a Top 10 U.S. single with “Tempted”. Paul Carrack, who sang lead on the track, left the band soonafter the album’s release.
Genesis drummer/vocalist Phil Collins releases his debut solo effort, Face Value. The album is a Top 10 hit and features the Top 20 singles “I Missed Again” and “In The Air Tonight”.
Duran Duran release their self-titled debut album, with the single for “Girls On Film” peaking at #5 in the UK. Little fanfare is paid to the album in the U.S. until it is re-released in 1983 after the success of the “Rio” album in 1982.
The Police release “Ghost In The Machine”, which features one of the year’s best-selling singles, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (#3 US/#1 UK).
After being down by numerous major labels, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts release “I Love Rock & Roll” on Neil Bogart’s fledgling Boardwalk Records. Released in December, early copies of the album include a version of “Little Drummer Boy” that would later be replaced by the track “Oh Woe Is Me”. The album peaked at #2 and went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide. The title track spent eight weeks at #1.
The Replacements release their first album, “Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The trash” on Minneapolis label Twin/Tone Records.
Olivia Newton-John, known primarily as a country artist in the U.S. (although not by purists due to the fact that she was Australian), scores a massive worldwide hit with the album “Physical” and title track, which rocketed to #1, where it stayed for ten weeks. The follow-up single, “Make a Move on Me” was also a Top 5 hit.
Stars on 45, a medley comprised of Beatles songs, went to #1 in the US. The song was produced by Jaap Eggermont, formerly of Golden Earring (”Radar Love”)
With new keyboardist Jonathan Cain (ex-Babys), Journey hit #1 with the album “Escape”, which featured the hit singles “Open Arms” (#2), “Who’s Crying Now” (#4), and “Don’t Stop Believing” (#9).
Styx rode “Paradise Theater” album to #1, which included the hits “The Best Of Times” (#3) and “Too Much Time On My Hands” (#9).
Rick Springfield checked out of General Hospital to pursue a music career and landed at #1 with the single, “Jessie’s Girl”. The Sammy Hagar-penned “I’ve Done Everything For You” went to #8, helping propel the album “Working Class Dog” into the Top 10.
Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
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