- May 1 "Day in Hollywood, A Night..." opens at John Golden NYC for 588 performances
Academy of Country Music Awards
May 1 15th Academy of Country Music Awards: Larry Gatlin and Crystal Gayle win
Music History
May 2 Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in Wall (Part II)" is banned in South Africa
McCartney II
May 16 Paul McCartney releases "McCartney II" album
Music History
May 17 Paul & Linda McCartney appear in remote segment from England, after being awakened by Father Guido Sarducci, on "Saturday Night Live"
Music History
May 21 "Star Wars Episode V - Empire Strikes Back", produced by George Lucas opens in cinemas in UK and North America
Cannes Film Festival
May 23 33rd Cannes Film Festival: "All That Jazz" directed by Bob Fosse and "Kagemusha" directed by Akira Kurosawa jointly awarded the Palme d'Or
- May 24 "Rock Lobster" by B-52s hits #56
- May 25 "Musical Chairs" closes at Rialto Theater NYC after 15 performances
- May 29 John MacLachlan Gray's musical "Billy Bishop Goes to War" opens at Morosco Theater, NYC; runs for 12 performances, then moves to Off-Broadway
- May 31 "Love Stinks" by J. Geils Band peaks at #38
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers