Tag Archives: 1979

Utopia: Adventures In Utopia

Udventures in Utopia

On December 27, 1979, “Bearsville” label released “Adventures in Utopia”, the fifth Utopia album. It  was recorded in 1979, at the “Utopia Sound Studios” and was produced by Todd Rundgren, Roger Powell, Kasim Sulton and John Wilcox.

Personnel:

  • Todd Rundgren- vocals, guitars, engineer, photography
  • Roger Powell- vocals, keyboards, trumpet
  • Kasim Sulton- vocals, bass
  • John “Willie” Wilcox – vocals, drums

All tracks by Todd Rundgren, Roger Powell, Kasim Sulton and John Wilcox.  .

  1. The Road to Utopia
  2. You Make Me Crazy
  3. Second Nature
  4. Set Me Free
  5. Caravan
  6. Last of the New Wave Riders
  7. Shot in the Dark
  8. The Very Last Time
  9. Love Alone
  10. Rock Love

Pink Floyd: The Wall

Pink Floyd - Wall

On November 30, 1979, “Harvest” label released “The Wall”, the eleventh Pink Floyd studio album. This was the last studio album released with the lineup of David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright and  Nick Mason. Richard Wright left the band after the release of the album. It was recorded from December 1978 till November 1979, at the “Britannia Row”, “Super Bear Studio”, “Studio Miraval” in France, “CBS 30th Street Studio” in New York, and at the “Producers Workshop” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Bob Ezrin, David Gilmour, James Guthrie and Roger Waters. The album featured band’s only number one single “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2”, and became one of the best selling albums of 1980. By 1999 “The Wall” sold in more than 23 million copies worldwide. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “The Wall” at number 87 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Roger Waters- vocals, bass, rhythm guitar, synthesizers, sound effects, design
  • David Gilmour- vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, bass, synthesizers
  • Nick Mason- drums, percussion
  • Richard Wright- piano, Hammond organ, electric piano, synthesizers, bass pedals
  • Children of Islington Green School– vocals
  • Bob Ezrin– piano, Hammond organ, synthesizers, reed organ, backing vocals
  • James Guthrie– percussion, synthesizer, sound effects
  • Jeff Porcaro– drums
  • Joe Porcaro, Blue Ocean & 34 other – snare drums
  • Lee Ritenour– guitars
  • Joe (Ron) di Blasi – classical guitar
  • Fred Mandel– Hammond organ
  • Bobbye Hall– congas, bongos
  • Frank Marrocco– concertina
  • Larry Williams – clarinet
  • Trevor Veitch – mandolin
  • New York Orchestra – orchestra
  • New York Opera – choral vocals
  • Unnamed children’s choir from New York – children’s choral vocals
  • “Vicki & Clare” – backing vocals
  • Bruce Johnston– backing vocals
  • Toni Tennille– backing vocals
  • Joe Chemay – backing vocals
  • Jon Joyce – backing vocals
  • Stan Farber – backing vocals
  • Jim Haas– backing vocals
  • Harry Waters– child’s voice
  • Chris Fitzmorris – male telephone voice
  • Trudy Young – voice of the groupie
  • Phil Taylor – sound effects
  • Bob Ezrin – orchestral arrangements
  • Michael Kamen– orchestral arrangements
  • Gerald Scarfe – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Roger Waters, except where noted.

  1. In the Flash
  2. The Thin Ice – David Gilmour, Roger Waters
  3. Another Brick in the Wall (part 1)
  4. The Happiest Days of Our Lives
  5. Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) – David Gilmour, Roger Waters
  6. Mother – David Gilmour and Roger Waters
  7. Goodbye Blue Sky
  8. Empty Spaces
  9. Young Lust – Roger Waters and David Gilmour
  10. One of My Turns
  11. Don’t Leave Me Now
  12. Another Brick in the Wall (Part 3)
  13. Goodbye Cruel World
  14. Hey You
  15. Is There Anybody Out There
  16. Nobody Home
  17. Vera
  18. Bring the Boys Back Home
  19. Comfortably Numb
  20. The Show Must Go On
  21. In the Flesh
  22. Run Like Hell – David Gilmour, Roger Waters
  23. Waiting for Worms
  24. Stop
  25. The Trial – Roger Waters, Bob Ezrin
  26. Outside the Wall

Public Image Ltd.: Metal Box

PIL Metalbox HIGH RESOLUTION COVER ART

On November 23, 1979, “Virgin” label released “Metal Box”, the second Public Image Ltd. album. It was recorded March – October 1979, at “The Manor Studio”, ”Shipton-on-Cherwell”, “Townhouse Studios”, “Advision Studios”, “Gooseberry Sound Studios & Rollerball Rehearsal Studios” in London, and was produced by John Lydon,  Keith Levene, Jah Wobble and David Humphrey. In 2003, magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “Metal Box” at number 469 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • John Lydon– vocals, piano
  • Keith Levene– guitar, synthesizers, drums, bass guitar
  • Jah Wobble– bass guitar, drums, piano
  • David Humphrey – drums
  • Richard Dudanski– drums
  • Martin Atkins– drums
  • PiL, Dennis Morris- design
  • The Metal Box Company – packaging

Track listing:

All tracks by John Lydon,  Keith Levene, Jah Wobble and David Humphrey.

  1. Albatross
  2. Memories
  3. Swan Lake
  4. Poptones
  5. Careering
  6. No Birds
  7. Graveyard
  8. The Suit
  9. Bad baby
  10. Socialist
  11. Chant
  12. Radio 4

The Jam: Setting Sons

The_Jam_-_Setting_Sons

On November 17, 1979, “Polydor” label released “Setting Sons”, the fourth Jam studio album.  It was recorded August – 10 October 1979, at “The Townhouse Studios” in London, and was produced by Vic Coppersmith-Heaven.

Personnel:

  • Paul Weller – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Bruce Foxton – vocals, bass, rhythm guitar
  • Bruce Buckler – drums, percussion
  • “Merton” Mick- piano
  • Rudi – saxophone
  • The Jam Philharmonic Orchestra – cello, timpani, recorder
  • Pete Solley- score for strings

Track listing

All tracks by Paul Weller except where noted.

  1. Strange Town
  2. Saturday’s Kids
  3. Little Boy Soldiers
  4. The Eton Rifles
  5. Girl on the Phone
  6. Heat Wave – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  7. Smithers-Jones – Bruce Foxton
  8. Private Hell
  9. The Butterfly Collector
  10. Burning Sky
  11. Thick as Thieves
  12. Wasteland

Madness: One Step Beyond

Madness

On October 19, 1979, “Stiff” label released “One Step Beyond”, the debut Madness album. It was recorded in 1979, at “Eden” and “TW Studios” in London, and was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley.

Personnel:

  • Graham McPherson (Suggs) – lead vocals
  • Chris Foreman (Chrissy Boy) – guitars
  • Mike Barson (Monsieur Barso) – keyboards
  • Mark Bedford (Bedders) – bass
  • Dan Woodgate (Woody) – drums, percussion
  • Lee “Kix” Thompson– lead and backing vocals, saxophones
  • Cathal Smyth (Chas Smash) – lead and backing vocals, fancy footwork

Track listing:

  1. One Step Beyond– Campbell
  2. My Girl– Mike Barson
  3. Night Boat to Cairo– Mike Barson, Graham McPherson
  4. Believe Me – Mike Barson, Hasler
  5. Land of Hope and Glory – Chris Foreman, Lee Thompson
  6. The Prince – Lee Thompson
  7. Tarzan’s Nuts – Mike Barson
  8. In the Middle of the Night – Graham McPherson, Chris Foreman
  9. Bed & Breakfast Man – Mike Barson
  10. Razor Blade Alley – Lee Thompson
  11. Swan Lake– Tchaikovsky, Mike Barson
  12. Rockin’ in AB– Wurlitzer, Bazooka Joecover
  13. Mummy’s Boy – Mark Bedford
  14. Madness – Campbell
  15. Chipmunks Are Go! – Cathal Smyth, Brendan Smyth

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers: Damn The Torpedoes

Tom Petty and the heartbreakers Damn The Torpedoes HIGH RESOLUTION COVER ART

On October 19, 1979, “Backstreet Records” released “Damn the  Torpedoes”, the third Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album.  It was recorded 1978 -1979, at the “Sound City” and “Van Nuys Cherokee Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Jimmy Iovine and Tom Petty. In 2003, The album was ranked at number 313 on “Rolling Stone’s” magazine list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Tom Petty – lead vocals, guitars, harmonica
  • Mike Campbell – guitars, slide guitar, keyboards, accordion, electric bass
  • Benmont Tench – vocals, piano, organ, harmonium
  • Ron Blair– electric bass
  • Stan Lynch– drums, vocals
  • Donald “Duck” Dunn– bass
  • Jim Keltner – percussion
  • Phil Jones – percussion

Track listing:

  1. Refugee – Tom Petty, Mike Campbell
  2. Here Comes My Girl – Tom Petty, Mike Campbell
  3. Even the Losers – Tom Petty
  4. Shadow of a Doubt – Tom Petty
  5. Century City – Tom Petty
  6. Don’t Do Me Like That – Tom Petty
  7. You Tell Me – Tom Petty
  8. What Are You Doin’ in My Life – Tom Petty
  9.  Louisiana Rain – Tom Petty

Fleetwood Mac: Tusk

Tusk

On October 12, 1979, “Warner Bros” label released “Tusk”, the twelve Fleetwood Mac album.  It was recorded at the “The Village Recorder”, in Los Angeles, and was produced by Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Richard Dashut and Ken Caillat. The recording process costs were over $1 million, making “Tusk” the most expensive rock album made up to that point. In 2013, “NME” magazine ranked “Tusk” at number 445 in their list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Lindsey Buckingham– vocals, guitars, bass guitar, drums, percussion
  • Stevie Nicks– vocals
  • Christine McVie– vocals, keyboards
  • John McVie– bass guitar
  • Mick Fleetwood– drums, percussion
  • USC Trojan Marching Band– percussion, horns

Track listing:

  1. Over & Over – Christine McVie
  2. The Ledge – Lindsey Buckingham
  3. Think About Me – Christine McVie
  4. Save Me a Piece – Lindsey Buckingham
  5. Sara – Stevie Nicks
  6. What Makes You Think You’re the One – Lindsey Buckingham
  7. Storms – Stevie Nicks
  8. That’s All for Everyone – Lindsey Buckingham
  9. Not That Funny – Lindsey Buckingham
  10. Sisters of the Moon – Stevie Nicks
  11. Angel – Stevie Nicks
  12. That’s Enough for Me – Lindsey Buckingham
  13. Brown Eyes – Christine McVie
  14. Never Make Me Cry – Christine McVie
  15. I Know I’m Not Wrong – Lindsey Buckingham
  16. Honey Hi – Christine McVie
  17. Beautiful Child – Stevie Nicks
  18. Walk a Thin Line – Lindsey Buckingham
  19. Tusk – Lindsey Buckingham
  20. Never Forget – Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood

The Boomtown Rats: The Fine Art Of Surfacing

Boomtown_Rats_-_The_Fine_Art_Of_Surfacing

On October 9, 1979, “Mulligan Records” released “The Fine Art of Surfacing”, the third Boomtown Rats album.  It was recorded in 1979, and was produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange and Phil Wainman. The album contained the track “I Don’t Like Mondays”, that became band’s trademark song.

Personnel:

  • Bob Geldof – vocals, saxophone
  • Garry Roberts – vocals, guitar
  • Gerry Cott – guitar
  • Johnnie Fingers – vocals, keyboards
  • Pete Briquette – vocals, bass
  • Simon Crowe – vocals, drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Bob Geldof, except where noted.

  1. Someone’s Looking at You
  2. Diamond Smiles
  3. Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero)
  4. Having My Picture Taken – Bob Geldof, Pete Briquette
  5. Sleep (Fingers’ Lullaby) – Johnnie Fingers
  6. A hidden track (with lyrics including “That’s not Funny, I’m not Laughing”)
  7. I Don’t Like Mondays
  8. Nothing Happened Today
  9. Keep It Up – Bob Geldof, Gerry Cott
  10. Nice N Neat
  11. When the Night Comes

Joe Jackson: I’m the Man

I'm_the_Man

On October 5, 1979, “A&M’ label released “I’m the Man”, Joe Jackson’s second album.  It was recorded in March 1979, at the “TW Studios”, Fulham, in London, and was produced by David Kershenbaum.

Personnel:

  • Joe Jackson– vocals, piano, harmonica, melodica
  • Gary Sanford – guitar
  • Graham Maby – vocals, bass
  • David Houghton – vocals, drums

Track listing:

All compositions by Joe Jackson.

  1. On Your Radio
  2. Geraldine and John
  3. Kinda Kute
  4. It’s Different for Girls
  5. I’m the Man
  6. The Band Wore Blue Shirts
  7. Don’t Wanna Be Like That
  8. Amateur Hour
  9. Get That Girl
  10. Friday

The Police: Reggata de Blanc

Police-Reggatta de blanc

On October 5, 1979, “A&M” label released “Reggatta de Blanc”, the second Police (The) studio album. It was recorded February – August 1979, at the “Surrey Sound Studios”, and was produced by Nigel Gray, Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland. In 1980, the title track brought the band their first “Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance”. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Reggata de Blanc” No. 372 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time”.

Personnel:

  • Sting – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, double bass
  • Andy Summers – guitar, piano, backing vocals
  • Stewart Copeland – lead and backing vocals, drums, guitar, piano, spoken word

Track listing

All tracks by Sting, except where noted.

  1. Message in a Bottle
  2. Reggata de Blanc – Andy Summers, Sting, Stewart Copeland
  3. It’s Alright for You – Sting, Stewart Copeland
  4. Bring on the Night
  5. Deathwish – Andy Summers, Sting, Stewart Copeland
  6. Walking on the Moon
  7. On Any Other Day – Stewart Copeland
  8. The Bed’s Too Big Without You
  9. Contact
  10. Does Everyone Stare
  11. No Time This Time