Ambling through some of Armando Vendetti and Ken Cheshire’s favourite albums from 1979.
1979 was a watershed year in music history — a massive intersection where the sheer scale of ’70s rock collided with the raw, angular energy of the incoming decade. It was the year post-punk and new wave truly arrived, bringing us the sharp, smart sounds of Talking Heads and Elvis Costello. Meanwhile, the reigning stadium titans were either doubling down on sprawling concept works or evolving their sound by absorbing the heavy funk and disco rhythms that dominated the airwaves. Genres didn’t just coexist; they actively cross-pollinated, creating a beautiful 360-degree landscape where the rules were constantly being rewritten.
Broadcast 21 May 2026
Tracklist
- Tom Petty — What Are You Doin' In My Life? — Damn The Torpedoes (Remastered)
- Michael Jackson — Get on the Floor — Off the Wall
- U2 — Out Of Control — Boy (Remastered)
- Led Zeppelin — Hot Dog (Remaster) — In Through the out Door (Remaster)
- The Police — Bring On The Night — Reggatta De Blanc (Remastered 2003)
- Blondie — Dreaming — Eat To The Beat
- Dave Edmunds — Crawling from the Wreckage — Repeat When Necessary
- Electric Light Orchestra — Need Her Love — Discovery
- Talking Heads — Life During Wartime — Fear of Music
- SAGA — You're Not Alone — Images at Twilight
- ABBA — If It Wasn't For The Nights — Voulez-Vous
- Atlanta Rhythm Section — Spooky — Underdog
- Earth, Wind & Fire — Let Your Feelings Show — I Am
- Nick Lowe — American Squirm — Labour of Lust
- — World News — Single
