Remember 1978?

The standup arcade version of Space Invaders kicked off the golden age of video games. Dallas debuted. Theaters showed the decade’s greatest movies, from Animal House to The Buddy Holly Story to FM. The tabletop game Hungry Hungry Hippos became a pillar of family fun. The first test-tube baby was born.

And through it all, there was the unforgettable music that defined the moment and became the soundtrack to our lives.

The Band’s “The Last Waltz,” often regarded as the greatest concert film of all time, featured myriad high-profile guest performances. Steve Martin released “King Tut” at the height of his comedy fame. Double Platinum marked Kiss’ first greatest-hits collection. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd formed the Blues Brothers, backed by a bevy of legendary American R&B musicians. The Who played its last live show with legendarily debauched drummer Keith Moon. Kraftwerk offered the European electro-pop of The Man-Machine.

In On Record “Vol. 1: 1978”—the first title in his award-winning series—acclaimed music journalist G. Brown transports readers back to one of the most vibrant years in music history. Through vivid storytelling and striking imagery, Brown shares his decades of exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews and an archive of nearly 15,000 rare editorial photographs. Through his incisive writing and historical perspective, On Record “Vol. 1: 1978” captures the energy, innovation and cultural shifts that defined the era.

Explore On Record “Vol. 12: 1978” for a comprehensive record of musical legacies:

• Classic rockers from Journey to Bruce Springsteen to the Rolling Stones, Queen and Bob Seger
• A wealth of nascent new wavers such as the Police, the Cars, Talking Heads, Devo and the Clash
• Debuts by Van Halen, the Cars and Dire Straits
• The dominance of disco with hits by the Bee Gees and Andy Gibb and the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”
• The year’s greatest releases from rock, R&B, country and jazz stars

On Record “Vol. 1: 1978” brims with visual narratives that inspire, educate and entertain—an essential guide to the extraordinary music of that year.

Meticulously edited and beautifully designed, this oversized edition is printed to the highest standards, making it a stunning gift or centerpiece for your living room, music room, man cave or creative space—wherever the soundtrack to your life plays loudest.