June 1979
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
The Seattle Supersonics defeat the Washington Bullets to clinch the NBA title in five games.
The Seattle Supersonics defeat the Washington Bullets to clinch the NBA title in five games.
2
Legendary Cleveland DJ Kid Leo is married in Cleveland. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes perform at the reception.
Pope John Paul II lands in Warsaw for his first papal visit to his native Poland. Upon his visit, Poland's people knew then that Communism was finished as a political ideology and its rulers hung on for a decade longer as despots instead of as leaders. The visit, which includes traveling to former sites of World War II death camps, ends on June 10 at his parents tomb at Krakow's Rakowicki Cemetery.
After being passed by the city council the previous day, Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley signs the city's first homosexual rights bill without fanfare and with much support from the arts community and the homosexual rights group Mattachine Society, which was formed there in 1950 as the U.S.'s first such rights organization.
Blondie releases "One Way or Another," the second single from their album Parallel Lines, which goes platinum (one million units) by week's end. Fronted by striking blonde Debbie Harry , rock's latest and hottest sex symbol, Blondie reigns supreme the next couple of years as one of rock's top bands, touring nonstop and delivering strong albums and three more No. 1's "Call Me" (from American Gigolo ), "The Tide Is High," and "Rapture."
The Top Five
1. "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer
2. "Reunited" - Peaches & Herb
3. "Love You Inside Out" - Bee Gees
4. "We Are Family" - Sister Sledge
5. "Goodnight Tonight" - Wings
Legendary Cleveland DJ Kid Leo is married in Cleveland. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes perform at the reception.
Pope John Paul II lands in Warsaw for his first papal visit to his native Poland. Upon his visit, Poland's people knew then that Communism was finished as a political ideology and its rulers hung on for a decade longer as despots instead of as leaders. The visit, which includes traveling to former sites of World War II death camps, ends on June 10 at his parents tomb at Krakow's Rakowicki Cemetery.
After being passed by the city council the previous day, Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley signs the city's first homosexual rights bill without fanfare and with much support from the arts community and the homosexual rights group Mattachine Society, which was formed there in 1950 as the U.S.'s first such rights organization.
Blondie releases "One Way or Another," the second single from their album Parallel Lines, which goes platinum (one million units) by week's end. Fronted by striking blonde Debbie Harry , rock's latest and hottest sex symbol, Blondie reigns supreme the next couple of years as one of rock's top bands, touring nonstop and delivering strong albums and three more No. 1's "Call Me" (from American Gigolo ), "The Tide Is High," and "Rapture."
The Top Five
1. "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer
2. "Reunited" - Peaches & Herb
3. "Love You Inside Out" - Bee Gees
4. "We Are Family" - Sister Sledge
5. "Goodnight Tonight" - Wings
3
At a wedding reception for his lighting director, Mark Brickman, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are joined onstage at Los Angeles' Whisky club by Rickie Lee Jones and Boz Scaggs for a three-hour jam session.
Two diet books, The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet and The Pritkin Program, are among the five best-selling nonfiction books.
At a wedding reception for his lighting director, Mark Brickman, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are joined onstage at Los Angeles' Whisky club by Rickie Lee Jones and Boz Scaggs for a three-hour jam session.
Two diet books, The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet and The Pritkin Program, are among the five best-selling nonfiction books.
4
5
Blues giant Muddy Waters , age sixty-four, marries Marva Jean Brooks on her twenty-fifth birthday. Eric Clapton is present at the ceremony.
Blues giant Muddy Waters , age sixty-four, marries Marva Jean Brooks on her twenty-fifth birthday. Eric Clapton is present at the ceremony.
6
Televangelist Jerry Falwell meets with a group of prominent Christian leaders in his Lynchburg, Va., office to form the "Moral Majority," a phrase coined by Paul Weyrich who was also in attendance.
Televangelist Jerry Falwell meets with a group of prominent Christian leaders in his Lynchburg, Va., office to form the "Moral Majority," a phrase coined by Paul Weyrich who was also in attendance.
7
One week before he is scheduled to appear in court on income-tax evasion charges, Chuck Berry performs on the White House lawn at the Black Music Association gala -- and changes the chorus of his classic "Carol" to "Oh, Amy" (for the president's daughter).
One week before he is scheduled to appear in court on income-tax evasion charges, Chuck Berry performs on the White House lawn at the Black Music Association gala -- and changes the chorus of his classic "Carol" to "Oh, Amy" (for the president's daughter).
8
9
The Top Five
1. "Love You Inside Out" - Bee Gees
2. "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer
3. "We Are Family" - Sister Sledge
4. "Reunited" - Peaches & Herb
5. "Just When I Needed You Most" - Randy Vanwarmer
The Top Five
1. "Love You Inside Out" - Bee Gees
2. "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer
3. "We Are Family" - Sister Sledge
4. "Reunited" - Peaches & Herb
5. "Just When I Needed You Most" - Randy Vanwarmer
10
11
Hollywood legend John "the Duke" Wayne dies in Los Angeles at age 72.
Hollywood legend John "the Duke" Wayne dies in Los Angeles at age 72.
12
13
14
Rolling Stone reports that after ten years, Little Feat have broken up. Long a favorite of critics and a dedicated cult of fans, Little Feat never really achieved great commercial success, though two of their songs, "Willin'" and "All That You Dream," were hits in cover versions by Linda Ronstadt . In exactly two weeks, Little Feat leader, guitarist, singer and songwriter Lowell George will die of a heart attack.
Stephen Stills and Bruce Springsteen (among others) perform at the Hollywood Bowl in what was billed as the "No Nukes" benefit concert.
Rolling Stone reports that after ten years, Little Feat have broken up. Long a favorite of critics and a dedicated cult of fans, Little Feat never really achieved great commercial success, though two of their songs, "Willin'" and "All That You Dream," were hits in cover versions by Linda Ronstadt . In exactly two weeks, Little Feat leader, guitarist, singer and songwriter Lowell George will die of a heart attack.
Stephen Stills and Bruce Springsteen (among others) perform at the Hollywood Bowl in what was billed as the "No Nukes" benefit concert.
15
The Kids Are Alright, Jeff Stein 's documentary compilation of film clips detailing the history of the Who , premieres in New York City, and on Aug. 2 in Los Angeles.
The Kids Are Alright, Jeff Stein 's documentary compilation of film clips detailing the history of the Who , premieres in New York City, and on Aug. 2 in Los Angeles.
16
17
18
The SALT II talks end with long-range nuclear missle limits set at 2,250 launchers per superpower. President Carter and Soviet premier Leonid Brezhnev sign the arms accord in Vienna: Carter will return home to seek congressional approval.
The SALT II talks end with long-range nuclear missle limits set at 2,250 launchers per superpower. President Carter and Soviet premier Leonid Brezhnev sign the arms accord in Vienna: Carter will return home to seek congressional approval.
19
20
21
Guitarist Mick Taylor releases his first solo album, Mick Taylor, four-and-a-half years after leaving the Rolling Stones .
Guitarist Mick Taylor releases his first solo album, Mick Taylor, four-and-a-half years after leaving the Rolling Stones .
22
Promoted as "More Entertaining Than Humanly Possible," The Muppet Movie opens to glowing reviews en route to big box office. Musically, the film's "Rainbow Connection," sung by Kermit the Frog, snags an Oscar nomination and rises to No. 25 on the hit parade, the only frog-sung song number in chart history. More Muppet movies follow, though creator Jim Henson 's next film project involves helping to create a character named Yoda for the Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back.
Promoted as "More Entertaining Than Humanly Possible," The Muppet Movie opens to glowing reviews en route to big box office. Musically, the film's "Rainbow Connection," sung by Kermit the Frog, snags an Oscar nomination and rises to No. 25 on the hit parade, the only frog-sung song number in chart history. More Muppet movies follow, though creator Jim Henson 's next film project involves helping to create a character named Yoda for the Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back.
23
New York City disco sophisticates Chic enter the soul chart with what will prove to be their most influential hit: "Good Times," which will stay on the chart for eighteen weeks, will peak at Number One for five weeks and will serve as the instrumental basis for the first big commercial rap hit, the Sugar Hill Gang 's "Rapper's Delight," "Good Times" will also serve as a musical backdrop for such other, lesser rap hits as Count Coolout 's "Rhythm Rap Rock" and Trickerton's "Rap, Bounce, Skate, Roll," and will subsequently serve as a major influence on the early Eighties school of New York City street-funk. "Good Times" will also inspire a soundalike hit for Queen -- "Another One Bites the Dust."
New York City disco sophisticates Chic enter the soul chart with what will prove to be their most influential hit: "Good Times," which will stay on the chart for eighteen weeks, will peak at Number One for five weeks and will serve as the instrumental basis for the first big commercial rap hit, the Sugar Hill Gang 's "Rapper's Delight," "Good Times" will also serve as a musical backdrop for such other, lesser rap hits as Count Coolout 's "Rhythm Rap Rock" and Trickerton's "Rap, Bounce, Skate, Roll," and will subsequently serve as a major influence on the early Eighties school of New York City street-funk. "Good Times" will also inspire a soundalike hit for Queen -- "Another One Bites the Dust."
24
25
26
Elvis Presley 's father, Vernon , dies at age sixty-three of a heart ailment in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Elvis Presley 's father, Vernon , dies at age sixty-three of a heart ailment in Tupelo, Mississippi.
27
28
Ex- Mott the Hoople leader, singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist Ian Hunter makes his first New York City stage appearance in four years at the Palladium with a band featuring guitarist Mick Ronson (formerly with David Bowie 's Spiders from Mars ) and singer Ellen Foley (who sang with Meat Loaf on the latter's hit "Paradise by the Dashboard Light").
Rolling Stone reports on the planned re-formation of two legendary psychedelic bands of the Sixties: Blue Cheer and Love .
Ex- Mott the Hoople leader, singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist Ian Hunter makes his first New York City stage appearance in four years at the Palladium with a band featuring guitarist Mick Ronson (formerly with David Bowie 's Spiders from Mars ) and singer Ellen Foley (who sang with Meat Loaf on the latter's hit "Paradise by the Dashboard Light").
Rolling Stone reports on the planned re-formation of two legendary psychedelic bands of the Sixties: Blue Cheer and Love .
29
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Lowell George , ex- Mother of Invention and a leader of funk-rock band Little Feat , dies at age thirty-four of a heart attack related to drug problems and obesity in Los Angeles. George, who had been putting on weight steadily over the past few years, weighed well over 200 pounds at the time of his death, though he had been performing recently. Among his best known compositions were "Willin'" (covered by Linda Ronstadt ), "Dixie Chicken," "Tripe Face Boogie," "Long Distance Love," "Rock & Roll Doctor," "Cold Cold Cold" and "Spanish Moon."
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Lowell George , ex- Mother of Invention and a leader of funk-rock band Little Feat , dies at age thirty-four of a heart attack related to drug problems and obesity in Los Angeles. George, who had been putting on weight steadily over the past few years, weighed well over 200 pounds at the time of his death, though he had been performing recently. Among his best known compositions were "Willin'" (covered by Linda Ronstadt ), "Dixie Chicken," "Tripe Face Boogie," "Long Distance Love," "Rock & Roll Doctor," "Cold Cold Cold" and "Spanish Moon."
30
Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army hit Number One in the U.K. with "Are 'Friends' Electric?" Numan is one of the first in a wave of synth-wielding performers to give birth to what critics term the "electropop" movement, and he will go on to have a massive American hit with "Cars."
The Top Five
1. "Ring My Bell" - Anita Ward
2. "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer
3. "Bad Girls" - Donna Summer
4. "We Are Family" - Sister Sledge
5. "Chuck E's in Love" - Rickie Lee Jones
Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army hit Number One in the U.K. with "Are 'Friends' Electric?" Numan is one of the first in a wave of synth-wielding performers to give birth to what critics term the "electropop" movement, and he will go on to have a massive American hit with "Cars."
The Top Five
1. "Ring My Bell" - Anita Ward
2. "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer
3. "Bad Girls" - Donna Summer
4. "We Are Family" - Sister Sledge
5. "Chuck E's in Love" - Rickie Lee Jones
Reader's Comments
No comments so far, be the first to comment .
Previous
Month
Main Page
| Music Chronicle Intro
| 1979 Almanac
| Top 100 Seventies Singles
| Search The RockSite/The Web
