The Year In Rock: 1978

Although released in late 1977, the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack would be impossible to ignore for much of 1978, with the Bee Gees’ “Night Fever” and “Stayin’ Alive”, as well as Yvonne Elliman’s “If I Can’t Have You”, all reaching #1. At several points during the first half of ‘78, the soundtrack album was selling over 1 million units a week


On the country music side, Kenny Rogers released his career-defining album, “The Gambler, which has gone on to sell over 35 million copies.


Cheap Trick release their third album, “Heaven Tonight”, which, while only managing a #48 chart showing, is notable for containing the studio version of “Surrender” (itself peaking at #62) and becoming the first album for the band to be certified Gold.

Van Halen release their self-titled debut album and, in a matter of weeks, reshape the way a generation of guitarists approach their instrument. Tracks like “Running With The Devil”, “Jamie’s Cryin’”, and “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love” received heavy AOR radio airplay, but the band’s cover of the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”, would actually break the Top 40, peaking at #36. The album has sold approximately fifteen million copies to date.


Boston band The Cars release their self-titled debut album. “Just What I Needed” and “My Best Friend’s Girl” become Top 40 hits for the band, propelling the album into the Top 20. The album has sold almost ten million copies in the US to date. [Check out this cool live version of "Good Times Roll".]

Journey release their fourth studio album, “Infinity”. It is most notable for being new singer Steve perry’s recorded debut with the group and for becoming their first commercially-successful release. While neither of the three singles (“Anytime’, “Lights”, and “Wheel in The Sky”) would dent the Top 40, AOR radio play and solid touring would take the album to a peak position of #21.


Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers release their second album, “You’re Gonna Get It”, and enjoy their first taste of Top 40 success. Despite no obvious hit single – although it did include stand-out tracks “I Need To Know” and “Listen To Her Heart” – the album peaks at #23 on the Top 200 Albums chart.


Queen release their seventh album, “Jazz”, featuring such notable anthems as “Fat Bottomed Girls” and “Bicycle Race”. The double A-side single that contains both songs reaches #24 in the US.

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