OK, I've been a music fan for a long time now and I've lived through some good years for music and some lean ones. And I've dug back into the music of the past, too, so I feel pretty confident in deciding that 1979 was perhaps the pinnacle of pop music so far.

Of course this is a subjective game to play and it all depends on taste. If you're a country fan or a jazz fan, you've probably got to go back at least 15 or 20 years further to find the best year. If you like metal, maybe jump ahead a few.

But I like mostly Jamaican and British music and for me 1979 is unbeatable. Perhaps it's because I was a music-hungry kid then, but I think I have the facts on my side. And unlike many, I still love discovering new bands and new music. I'm definitely not a music fan living in the past.

The facts:

There were far too many great records made in Jamaica that year and The Wailers' "Survival" is perhaps the best known. But Black Uhuru, Dennis Brown, Gregory Issacs, I. Roy, Dillinger and tons more were at the peak of their game then, too.

Look to England and Ireland and the results are astonishing:

The Clash -- "London Calling" (which, like others on the list, arrived in the U.S. in early '80)
The Jam -- "Setting Sons"
Elvis Costello & the Attractions -- "Armed Forces"
Buzzcocks -- "A Different Kind of Tension"
The Cure -- "Three Imaginary Boys" (and the awesome "Jumping Someone Else's Train" 45)
Stiff Little Fingers -- "Inflammable Material"
Gang of Four -- "Entertainment"
Magazine -- "Second Hand Daylight"
The Police -- "Reggatta de Blanc"
Joe Jackson -- "Look Sharp"
The Undertones -- "The Undertones"
Squeeze -- "Cool for Cats"
Debut 45s by The Beat, The Specials, The Selecter, U2 and Madness
Led Zeppelin -- "In Through The Out Door"
Pink Floyd -- "The Wall"

Add a few American discs like:

Blondie -- "Parallel Lines"
Patti Smith -- "Wave"
Pere Ubu -- "New Picnic Time" (and "Dub Housing" was Nov. 1978!)
The Blackholes' -- "Warren Spahn" 45, a Milwaukee classic!
Dead Kennedys -- "California Uber Alles" debut 45

I know there's more, but this is what came to mind this morning. So, tell me what I forgot! Or, tell me why I'm wrong using the talkback feature below. After all, what's the point of music if you can't blab about it?

3 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Recent blogs/briefs by Bobby Tanzilo

Why does it always seem way too early? Monday Why does it always seem way too early for this? Last winter -- which I generally prefer ...

A gift a day: A Hendrix anniversary package Friday This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Jimi Hendrix Experience's landmark disc, "Electric ...

As Mueller crushes Crouton, he looks to the future Tuesday After 10 years local musician Jon Mueller is shutting down his avant garde, new music ...

Tosa police wow Mayfair shoppers with fast response Nov. 21, 2008 I go to Mayfair all the time and I would never expect to be held up at gun point inside ...