Explore 273 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1979.
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 273 unique records.
Records the rock & roll anthem "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll", often credited with introducing the phrase to the language. Managed by Andrew King, Ian Dury has several hits with "What a Waste" & "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick", no 1 in the UK
Managed by Andrew King, Ian Dury has several hits with "What a Waste" & "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick", no 1 in the UK
The Ruts release In a Rut, an early single that helps establish the band before their major chart breakthrough.
The Ruts release Jah War, reflecting the band's distinctive mixture of punk energy and reggae influence.
Album, "Setting Sons"
Siouxsie and the Banshees release Join Hands, their second studio album.
Joins The Who after Keith Moon's death.
Appointed Minister at the Scottish Office
Kevin Keegan wins a second consecutive Ballon d’Or after helping Hamburger SV secure the Bundesliga championship, becoming one of the few English players to retain the award.
Tony Woodcock features in Nottingham Forest's first European Cup final against Malmö. He subsequently continues his career in West Germany after helping Brian Clough's club reach the summit of European football.
Appointed Leader of the House of Lords
Forest retain the League Cup, but finish runners-up to Liverpool in the league
Frank Clark starts at left-back in Forest's 1979 European Cup final against Malmö. The experienced defender helps protect a one-goal advantage throughout the second half.
Magazine release "Secondhand Daylight"
McGeoch leaves Magazine, he is replaced by Robin Simon ( Ultravox) and the band then tour the US and Australia
McNaught joins Aston Villa from Everton and brings authoritative central defending to Saunders's developing squad.
Elected Member of Parliament for Birkenhead
Elected Member of Parliament for Blackburn
Public Image Ltd record the post punk classic "Metal Box"
Des Bremner signed for Aston Villa from Hibernian and supplied defensive industry that would prove valuable in their championship team.
Appointed Minister for Education
Appointed Minister of Trade & Industry
Mortimer assumes a central leadership role in Saunders's Aston Villa side, laying the foundations for the 1981 championship.
Trevor Francis heads home John Robertson's cross against Malmö in the 1979 European Cup final. The goal gives Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest its first continental championship.
The Commons defeated Callaghan's government by one vote in a recorded confidence division, triggering a general election.
Healey is awarded the Order of the Companions of Honour.
The combination of Moores blues-based guitar and Lynotts voice produced "Parisienne Walkways", which reached the Top Ten in the UK Singles Chart in April 1979. Releases Back on the Streets
Appointed Party Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party
Sees the pay policy breakdown damage Labour before the general election.
Lorry drivers' action becomes part of the wider Winter of Discontent.
Penetration's original period ends after extensive touring and two studio albums.
Appointed Political Adviser to Margaret Thatcher
Townshend became the first major rock musician to donate his services to the human rights organisation Amnesty International when he performed three songs for its benefit show The Secret Policemans Ball
Porridge runs for three series, two Christmas specials and a film, produced in 1979
Challenges British Telecoms monopoly by helping to create Mercury Communications
Hales remains a prolific Charlton Athletic scorer, strengthening his place among the club's leading all-time goalscorers.
Appears as the title character in Quatermass for ITV
Warns the University Grants Committee they must expect large cuts
Magazine release Rhythm of Cruelty during their second year of sustained recording and touring.
A 1979 Rock Against Racism benefit concert, organized to raise money to pay the legal costs of those arrested in a London area anti-racism demonstration
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