United Kingdom

1980
Jameson Raid (band) In May 1980, EMI released the second of its Metal for Muthas NWOBHM

In May 1980, EMI released the second of its Metal for Muthas NWOBHM compilation albums . Metal For Muthas II Cut Loud , featured the Jameson Raid track “Hard Lines”, although the band were unhappy that EMI had, unbeknownst to them, completely remixed the song (which the band had already…
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The Police released Six Pack

In May 1980, A&M in the UK released Six Pack , a package containing the five A&M singles (not including “Fall Out”) in their original sleeves plus a mono alternate take of the album track ” The Bed’s Too Big Without You ” backed with a live version of “Truth…
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Black Sabbath Heaven and Hell was released

Heaven and Hell was released on 25 April 1980, to critical acclaim.

Black Sabbath first live appearance

making their first live appearance with Dio in Germany on 17 April 1980.

Joy Division A lack of sleep and long hours destabilised Curtis’s epilepsy, and

A lack of sleep and long hours destabilised Curtis’s epilepsy, and his seizures became almost uncontrollable. He often had seizures during performances, which some audience members believed were part of the performance. The seizures left him feeling ashamed and depressed, and the band became increasingly worried about Curtis’s condition. On…
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Venom (band) In late 1979, Lant introduced the band to his original artwork

In late 1979, Lant introduced the band to his original artwork designs for the Venom logo and Satanic images, and he later created the artwork and designs used on the Venom record sleeves. He also introduced his original song ideas as he did not want to keep playing the same…
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Genesis (band) tour from April to June 1980

Duke was supported with a UK and North American tour from April to June 1980, which began with a 40-date tour of the UK for which all 106,000 tickets were sold within hours of going on sale.

Anti-Nowhere League The band first played at the 1980 Chaos Show at St Mark’s Hall, Royal

The band first played at the 1980 Chaos Show at St Mark’s Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells on 31 March 1980. They signed to John Curd’s record label WXYZ Records in the same year.

Jaguar (band) The band was formed in December 1979 in Bristol through an

The band was formed in December 1979 in Bristol through an advertisement published in a local newspaper by Jeff Cox and Garry Pepperd looking for a drummer. The original line-up consisted of Garry Pepperd (guitar), Jeff Cox (bass, vocals) and Chris Lovell (drums). The same year they went straight into…
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Def Leppard was released on 14 March 1980

Def Leppard’s debut album, On Through the Night , was released on 14 March 1980. Although the album hit the Top 15 in the UK, many early fans were turned off by the perception that the band was trying too hard to appeal to American audiences by recording songs such…
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