United Kingdom

1980
Led Zeppelin ashes interred

After midnight, Bonham, who had fallen asleep, was taken to bed and placed on his side. At 1:45 pm the next day, Benji LeFevre (Led Zeppelin’s new tour manager) and John Paul Jones found Bonham dead. The cause of death was asphyxiation from vomit; the finding was accidental death. An…
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Black Sabbath concert at the Milwaukee Arena

Further trouble for the band came during their 9 October 1980 concert at the Milwaukee Arena , which degenerated into a riot that caused $10,000 in damages to the arena and resulted in 160 arrests.

The Police released their third album

Pressured by their record company for a new record and a prompt return to touring, the Police released their third album, Zenyatta Mondatta , on 3 October 1980. The album was recorded in a three-week period in the Netherlands for tax reasons and was completed the night before the band…
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The Clash Black Market Clash

In October, the band’s US record company released a B-side compilation EP called Black Market Clash , which was later re-released in expanded form as a full-length album.

Bauhaus (band) In the Flat Field

before issuing their first album In the Flat Field in October 1980

Bauhaus (band) returned to England for a 20-date tour

The band returned to England in October 1980 for a 20-date tour in England and in Europe to promote their first album.

Iron Maiden released their self-titled debut album in 1980, which

Iron Maiden released their self-titled debut album in 1980, which debuted at number 4 in the UK Albums Chart . In addition to the title track, the album included other early favourites such as ” Running Free “, “Transylvania”, “Phantom of the Opera” and ” Sanctuary ” – which was…
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Wrathchild was formed in October 1980 in Evesham , Worcestershire

Wrathchild was formed in October 1980 in Evesham , Worcestershire , by Marc Angel and Philip Vokins (who were both formerly in a band called Sinner). They recruited Robert Barclay – known as Rocky Shades – for lead vocals, with Brian Parry on drums. Phil Vokins left in 1981 to…
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Queen (band) spent three weeks at number one

After attending a Queen concert in Los Angeles, Michael Jackson suggested to Mercury backstage that “Another One Bites the Dust” be released as a single, and in October 1980 it spent three weeks at number one.

New Order (band) invited to join the band

Gretton suggested Morris’s girlfriend Gillian Gilbert , and she was invited to join the band in early October 1980 as keyboardist and guitarist.