progressive pop

1979
Split Enz signed to A&M Records

At the end of that year, the band signed to A&M Records in the UK and US.

The Beach Boys The group’s first two albums for CBS, 1979’s L.A. (Light Album) and

The group’s first two albums for CBS, 1979’s L.A. (Light Album) and 1980’s Keepin’ the Summer Alive , struggled in the US, charting at 100 and 75 respectively, though the band did manage a top-forty single from L.A. (Light Album) with ” Good Timin’ “. The recording of these albums…
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Split Enz Frenzy released

The band released their fourth album, Frenzy , in 1979.

Split Enz Nambassa Festival performance

Using borrowed equipment, Split Enz played what proved to be a pivotal concert, stunning friends and fans alike with a legendary performance at the second Nambassa Festival in January 1979.

Genesis (band) moved into Collins’ home

In 1979, Banks and Rutherford moved into Collins’ home in Shalford to write and rehearse material for Duke . The three found the writing process easier and less complicated than And Then There Were Three . Rutherford reasoned that this was the case because they were “getting back to the…
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1978
Split Enz moved back to New Zealand

The group moved back to New Zealand for Christmas 1978.

Genesis (band) began a period of inactivity

In December 1978, Genesis began a period of inactivity as Collins’ marriage was at risk of collapse after touring had made him frequently absent from his wife and children. Following a meeting with Banks, Rutherford and Smith, Collins went to Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada, to try and rebuild the…
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The Beach Boys The group had still owed one more album for Reprise. Released in

The group had still owed one more album for Reprise. Released in September 1978, M.I.U. Album was recorded at Maharishi International University in Iowa at the suggestion of Love. The band originally attempted to record a Christmas album, to be titled Merry Christmas from the Beach Boys , but this…
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Genesis (band) headlined Knebworth Festival

In June, Genesis headlined the year’s Knebworth Festival , their only UK show that year.

Genesis (band) released in March 1978

…And Then There Were Three… was released in March 1978. It received some mixed reviews from critics at the time owing to the album only containing short songs, which excited new fans but disillusioned those who had been used to the band’s previous work. Chris Welch wrote a positive review…
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