Events

Robert Allen Zimmerman is born in Duluth, Minnesota. U.S.A.

Future Hawkwind and Motorhead vocalist and bassist Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister is born in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, U.K.

Future Metallica / Megadeth guitarist Dave Mustaine is born in La Mesa, California, U.S.A.

Future Metallica bassist Cliff Burton is born in Castro Valley, California, U.S.A.

Robert Zimmerman officially changes his name to Bob Dylan.

Lemmy Kilmister is fired from Hawkwind after being arrested in Canada for drug possession. He immediately forms Motorhead. The band name is inspirded by the final song he wrote for Hawkwind.

Son Of A Bitch forms in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England.

Motorhead release their debut single 'Motorhead' on Stiff Records.

Bob Dylan performs two shows at legendary venue Budokan, Japan. The shows are recorded for a possible live album.

Son Of A Bitch changes their name to Saxon to in order to get signed to a label.

Bob Dylan releases the live album 'At Bodukan' in Japan on CBS Records. It was recorded earler in the year on 28 February / 1 March 1978. It is later issued worldwide in April 1979.

Saxon is signed to Carrere Records.

Saxon release their debut album 'Saxon' on Carrere Records.

Exodus forms in Richmond, California, U.S.A.

EMI releases the compilation 'Metal For Muthas', a landmark album in the rise of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWoBHM). It features songs by Iron Maiden, Samson, and Angel Witch (amongst others).

Judas Priest release 'British Steel' on Columbia Records.

Slayer forms in Huntington Park, California, U.S.A.

Anthrax forms in Queens, New York, U.S.A.

Metallica forms in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Metal Blade release the compilation 'Metal Massacre' showcasing the rising L.A. Metal scene. It features the first recording by Metallica.

Megaforce Records is founded by husband and wife Jon and Marsha Zazula in New Jersey, U.S.A. The motivation was to release the first recordings by Metallica.

Dave Mustaine is fired from Metallica due to drug and alcohol abuse, and is replaced by Kirk Hammett of Exodus.

Metallica perfom their first show with Kirk Hammett on guitar at The Showplace, Dover, New Jersey, U.S.A. Anthrax is the support act, the first time the two bands perfom on the same bill.

Dave Mustaine forms Fallen Angels, soon to be renamed Megadeth.

Metallica release their debut album 'Kill 'Em All' on Megaforce Records.

Drummer Charlie Benante joins Anthrax, replacing Greg D'Angelo. D'Angelo would go on to perform in Burning Starr (1984-1985) White Lion (1985-1991) and an early version of Zakk Wylde's Pride & Glory known jokingly as Lynyrd Skynhead (1993).

Anthrax signs with Megaforce Records.

Anthrax release their debut single 'Soldiers Of Metal' on Megaforce Records.

Megadeth play their first show at Ruthie's Inn, Berkley, California, U.S.A. Slayer guitarist Kerry King fills in on guitar until a replacement can be found.

Megadeth release their demo 'Last Rites',

Metallica release their second album 'Ride The Lightning' on Megaforce Records.

Megadeth release their first album 'Killing Is My Business. And Business Is Good!' on Combat records.

Green River release their debut E.P. 'Come On Down' on Homestead Records. It is often cited as the first true 'grunge' record.

Metallica release their third album 'Master Of Puppets' on Elektra Records.

Whilst on the tour for 'Master Of Puppets' Metallica bassist Cliff Burton is killed in a tour bus accident near Dorarp, Sweden.

Green River release their second E.P. 'Dry As A Bone' on Sub Pop.

Soundgarden release their debut E.P. 'Screaming Life' on Sub Pop.

Green River release their only album 'Rehab Doll' on Sub Pop. Recordeding of the album started in August 1987, but by the end of October the band has split up. They agreed to finish the record even though they had moved on to new bands already, with Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament forming Lords Of The Wasteland (later to become Mother Love Bone) and Mark Arm forming Mudhoney.

Mudhoney release their debut E.P. 'Superfuzz Bigmuff' on Sub Pop.

Exodus performs at The Astoria, London, England, U.K. with Acid Reign on support. The show is recorded for a possible live album.

Paul Baloff suffers a stroke that leaves him in a coma, Not long after he passes away. He was 41 years old. Former vocalist Steve Souza rejoins Exodus to fulfill tour commitments.

Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies from liver failure due to alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Lemmy Kilmister dies from prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure ending Motorhead.

After a lengthy farewell tour Slayer play their final show at The Forum in Los Angeles.

Bob Dylan releases the live album 'The Complete Budokan 1978' on Columbia Records. It is an expanded deluxe reissue of the 1978 album 'At Budokan'.

Judas Priest release their nineteenth studio album 'Invincible Shield' on Columbia Records / Epic Records.

Pearl Jam release their twelth album 'Dark Matter' on Republic Records.

Guns n' Roses guitarist Slash releases his second solo album with guest vocalists 'Orgy Of The Damned' on his own Snakepit Records.

Kerry King releases his post-Slayer debut solo album 'From Hell I Rise' on Reigning Phoenix Music.

Exodus release the live album 'British Disaster, The Battle Of '89 (Live At The Astoria)' on Nuclear Blast 35 years after it was recorded (on 8 March 1989).

The Angels release their fourteenth studio album 'Ninety Nine' on Bloodlines. It features Nick Norton, previously the bands drummer of 12 years, on vocals.

White Stones, side project of Opeth's Martin Mendez release their third album 'Memoria Viva' on Reigning Pheonix Music.