1979

1979 (MCMLXXIX) was a common year starting on Monday (dominical letter G) of the Gregorian calendar, the 1979th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 979th year of the 2nd millennium, the 79th year of the 20th century, and the 10th and last year of the 1970s decade.

Events

January

January 1

United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim heralds the start of the International Year of the Child. Many musicians donate to the Music for UNICEF Concert fund including ABBA, who wrote the song "Chiquitita" to commemorate the event.
The United States and the People's Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations.
The Canton of Jura comes into existence as the 26th canton of Switzerland, being formed from the predominantly French-speaking Catholic part of the Canton of Bern.
Following a deal agreed during 1978, French carmaker Peugeot completes a takeover of American manufacturer Chrysler's European operations, which are based in Britain's former Rootes Group factories as well as the former Simca factories in France.

The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins (alternately known as simply Smashing Pumpkins) is an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1988. Formed by frontman Billy Corgan (lead vocals, guitar) and James Iha (guitar), the band included D'arcy Wretzky (bass guitar) and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums) in its original incarnation. It has undergone many line-up changes over the course of its existence, with the current lineup including Corgan, rhythm guitarist Jeff Schroeder and Chamberlin.

Disavowing the punk rock roots of many of their alt-rock contemporaries, the Pumpkins have a diverse, densely layered, and guitar-heavy sound, containing elements of gothic rock, heavy metal,dream pop, psychedelic rock,progressive rock, shoegazing, and electronica in later recordings. Corgan is the group's primary songwriter—his grand musical ambitions and cathartic lyrics have shaped the band's albums and songs, which have been described as "anguished, bruised reports from Billy Corgan's nightmare-land".

The Specials

The Specials, also known as The Special AKA, are an English 2 Tone and ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups.

The band wore mod-style "1960s period rude boy outfits (pork pie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers)." In 1980, the song "Too Much Too Young", the lead track on their The Special AKA Live! EP, reached number one in the UK. In 1981, the unemployment-themed single "Ghost Town" also hit number one in the UK Singles Chart.

After seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, three members of the group abruptly left to form Fun Boy Three. Continuing on as "The Special AKA" (a name they used frequently on earlier Specials releases), a substantially revised Specials line-up issued new material through 1984, including the top 10 UK hit single "Free Nelson Mandela". Afterwards, founder and songwriter Jerry Dammers dissolved the band and pursued political activism.

1979 The Rose...

1979 The Warriors...

Lyrics list:

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1979, The God Awfuls

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1979, Killing Heidi

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1979, Hilltop Hoods

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1979, Lucero

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1979, Michael Jackson

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1979, Jehst

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1979, Pain Of Salvation

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1979, Elisa

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1979, The Smashing Pumpkins

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1979, Smashing Pumpkins

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1979, Good Charlotte

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1979, Jacksoul

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1979

i wont wear your uniform and i wont play the part
stolen dreams and stolen youth but you cannot steal my heart
propagndists piss-pot poor is the moniker and the drone
cant get blood from a broken heart thats turned to fucking stone
they got your new its on your television
get on you knees and pray wave the manifesto flag to the wasted generation
corprate sponsored genocide
paid for with consideration by sentries born into this world
to ensure you're dumb and blind casualties of a cola war since 1979
they got your new religion its on your television
get on your knees and pray

photo: AP / Patrick Semansky