3 Songs From 1980 That Changed Heavy Metal

Mythology has always been an important part of rock music.

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We use the terms “legend” and “icon” to describe influential musicians. And there are some years in music history where it almost feels as though something supernatural has taken place.

If somewhere in the cosmos there’s a heavy metal god wearing biker gear, controlling earthly events with a Flying V, the year 1980 must have been important to the long-haired deity.

Before social media exposed rock stars doing non-rock star things, there was a mystery in music. People with names like Ozzy, Lemmy, and Angus became akin to comic book hard rock superheroes.

To celebrate this magical year, here’s a look back at three songs from 1980 that changed heavy metal.

“Back in Black” by AC/DC from Back in Black

Some songs give music bits of language it can no longer live without. Think of Chuck Berry’s iconic guitar lick in “Johnny B. Goode.” Or imagine the blues without Robert Johnson’s “Cross Road Blues” or Eric Clapton’s interpretation. “Back in Black” is one of those.

AC/DC did more than survive the death of lead singer Bon Scott. They recorded one of the best-selling albums in history. Imagine how many SGs Gibson has sold or how many kids picked up the guitar because of this song. But AC/DC’s seventh studio album is chock full of rock and roll standards: “Hells Bells,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.” But the title track remains its timeless anthem.

“Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne from Blizzard of Ozz

In 1979, after Ozzy Osbourne was sacked by Black Sabbath, neither the singer nor his band were viewed as legends. The doom blues of Black Sabbath had been usurped by a more vibrant version of heavy music, most notably with the emergence of Van Halen. Meanwhile, a new wave of British bands, including Motörhead and Iron Maiden, were ascending while Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath struggled to survive.

Very few, if any, had faith that Osbourne’s solo debut would be a success. Let alone change the sound of heavy metal. With help from a young, unknown virtuoso guitarist named Randy Rhoads, “Crazy Train” resurrected Osbourne’s music career in one groundbreaking song. It’s a guitar masterpiece and it changed rock music forever.

“Ace of Spades” by Motörhead from Ace of Spades

Music continued to evolve with the new decade. Punk music transformed into new wave, as post-punk bands softened the edges with synthesizers and vivid aesthetics. But Motörhead was part of a very different “new wave.” They were faster, louder, and heavier. And the music reflected the bleak economic prospects of the working class in the 1970s.

Lemmy Kilmister and his trio became thrash metal pioneers, and future legendary groups such as Metallica probably wouldn’t exist without “Ace of Spades.” Listen to “Whiplash” from Metallica’s debut, Kill ’Em All. Motörhead didn’t reach the commercial heights of Metallica or Ozzy Osbourne, but Kilmister, guitarist Eddie Clarke, and drummer Phil Taylor were equally transformative.

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