See also:
1977 in music,
other events of 1978,
1979 in music and the
list of 'years in music'.
- January 18 - As the band is leaving for London, The Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious is removed unconscious from their plane in New York and rushed to a hospital. Vicious is treated for an overdose of barbituates and alcohol
- January 23 - Chicago guitarist and vocalist Terry Kath[?] dies after accidentally shooting himself in the head with a pistol.
- January 28 - The Doobie Brothers make a guest appearance on the television show What's Happening![?].
- January 31 - Blood Sweat & Tears saxophonist Greg Herbert[?] dies of an accidental drug overdose in Amsterdam during the band's European tour
- February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California
- February 13 - "Al Green Day" is declared in Los Angeles, California
- February 22 - Sex Pistol Sid Vicious and girlfriend Nancy Spungen are arrested by police in their room at New York's Chelsea Hotel[?] on charges of drug possesion
- February 22 - The Police appear in a television commercial for Wrigley's chewing gum
- March 15 - American Hot Wax, a film about rock & roll disc jockey Alan Freed, premieres in New York.
- March 23 - The Police sign a contract with A&M Records.
- March 30 - The Clash's Paul Simonon[?] and Topper Headon[?] are arrested in London for shooting pigeons from the rooftop of a rehearsal hall
- April 5 - Duran Duran plays their first live show (as a three-piece band consisting of John Taylor, Nik Bates and Stephen Duffy)
- April 19 - More than 40 rock & roll artists sign a petition which is presented to US President Jimmy Carter, urging him to end the country's commitment to nuclear power. Artists signing the petition included Jackson Browne, the Doobie Brothers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor and others
- April 22 - The Blues Brothers make their first appearance on Saturday Night Live. The duo of Jake & Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) was introduced by Paul Shaffer (as Don Kirschner[?]) and performed "Hey Bartender".
- April 26 - Ringo Starr's, Ringo, a musical version of The Prince and the Pauper airs on American television. Starr's fellow former Beatle George Harrison provides the narration.
- May - The Knack forms
- Sony introduces the first portable stereo, which is called the Walkman.
- Gary Busey stars in The Buddy Holly Story, which won the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Busey) and Best Sound.
- The Beatles spoof, The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash[?] airs on television.
- The Eagles' 5-star record, Hotel California was nominated for a Grammy award
- Steve Martin performs the original "King Tut" on Saturday Night Live. The song is later released as a single and becomes a hit for the comedian.
- Former Richie Furay percussionist Alex MacDougall joins Daniel Amos
- Van Halen's musical career begins
- Tori Amos' musical career begins
- Def Leppard's musical career begins
- Christopher Cross's musical career begins
- The Police's career begins
- Prince's musical career begins
- Zebra's musical career begins
- The Beastie Boys form
- The Descendants form
- Hüsker Dü form
- The Pretenders form
- Social Distortion form
- The The form
- Young Marble Giants form in Cardiff, Wales
- The Buggles sign a contract with Island Records
For a more complete list of hits by month, see here (http://home.earthlink.net/~yellowbrickroad/1978.htm).