1973 in heavy metal music

This is a timeline documenting the events of heavy metal in the year 1973.

Bands formed

 * AC/DC
 * Ace Frehley
 * Bachman-Turner Overdrive
 * Bad Company
 * Cheap Trick
 * The Dictators
 * Edda Művek
 * Journey
 * JPT Scare Band
 * Kaipa
 * Kansas
 * Kiss
 * Lazy
 * Mass (as Black Mass)
 * Max Webster
 * Montrose
 * Primevil
 * Quiet Riot
 * Stray Dog
 * Vardis
 * Vitacit
 * Witchfynde

Bands disbanded

 * Flower Travellin' Band

Events

 * Rob Halford became the new vocalist for Judas Priest, taking over from Al Atkins who departed at the end of 1972. John Hinch also joined the band as their drummer.
 * Tensions within Deep Purple led to vocalist Ian Gillan leaving and bassist Roger Glover being let go, marking the end of the band's Mark II era. They were replaced by David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, respectively.
 * Guitarist Michael Schenker left Scorpions and joined UFO, replacing Bernie Marsden.

Deaths

 * Helmut Eisenhut, drummer of Scorpions.