Weekly Buggles

Cheap Trick get sued by CBS for not recording a new album in an attempt to convince the label to renegotiate their contract. The highlight of the year for them was a concert in front of a massive hometown crowd at the ChicagoFest music festival.

Prince releases Controversy, as well as writing, performing and producing The Time’s debut effort.

Tom Petty challenges his label, MCA, when they attempt to unveil their new higher pricing with the release of his new album, Hard Promises. The label eventually balks and the album is released at the lower price.

Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks released her debut solo effort, Bella Donna, which peaked at #1, launching the Top 5 singles “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” (with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) and “Leather And Lace” (with Don Henley). “Edge Of Seventeen” peaked at #11.

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, originally released in Australia in 1976 and featuring singer Bon Scott (who passed away 1980) is released in the U.S. in April ’81

Van Halen release “Fair Warning”, the least commercially-successful release to feature singer David Lee Roth. That same year, Eddie Van Halen marries actress Valerie Bertinelli.

Former Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne releases his debut solo album in the U.S. in January ’81.

After being reduced to a four-piece, Foreigner release their fourth album, “4″, in July ’81. The album goes on to hit #1 “Urgent” goes to #1 on the pop singles chart.

Queen and David Bowie record “Under Pressure”, peaking at #29 on the U.S. Singles charts.

U2 make their U.S. relevision debut on the “Tomorrow With Tom Snyder” show. In October, they release their second album, “October”, in October. The album peaked at #104 on the U.S charts while hitting #11 in the UK.

After three albums, and having begun work on demos for a fourth, the Buzzcocks break up.

In September, Simon & Garfunkel reunite to perform a free concert in New York’s Central Park to over 500,000 fans.