The Seventies

History

The radical social changes of the 1960s spilled over, influencing the early 1970s. Interest was high in areas such as civil rights, environmentalism, space exploration, and the women's movement. Station wagons and RVs roamed the roads with vacationing families and young adults exploring the country. Popular toys included lava lamps, pet rocks, and mood rings. Trends in fashion and culture leaned toward the bright, extravagant, and carefree as the disco era began.

Saturday we have a 70's Party at T.R.A.C.S. 

On Sunday, 26 December 2009 we also had a 70's party.

http://christo-second-live.blogspot.com/2009/12/party-proposal-of-marriage.html

Men's fashion in the 1970s

The 1970s were a time of social change as the country transitioned from the hippie flower children of the 1960s to the neon couture of the 1980s. Men in the 70s enjoyed a laid back style with a variety of options from the extravagant disco fashions to more casual tee shirts and jeans. Men's fashion in the 1970s had a unique face with many facets to suit the changing times.

Early 70s

The early 1970s saw a continuation of popular 60s fashions that had become mainstream. Bell bottom pants were all the rage and colorful patches decorated all types of clothing. Frayed jeans and tie dyed shirts remained fashionable. As the 70s progressed, many unisex trends took hold. The fitted blazer with wide lapels was popular for both sexes and could be found in a variety of colors and materials. Men also incorporated wide ties into this trend.

Mid to Late 70s

By the mid to late 70s, full three-piece suits came into style The jackets, with the same wide lapels that were popular on blazers, were paired with high rise vests and flared trousers. These were worn in bright colors and accompanied by bold flowered ties. Younger boys and teenagers lounged around in tee shirts and baseball jerseys. The plain white tee gave way to brighter hues including pink, purple, and green--all of which were considered suitable for men.

 

Disco

Disco fashion was bright and showy, designed to pop under the dance lights. These outfits were usually worn only in the evenings at disco clubs, but the colors and fabrics made their way into everyday attire as well. Polyester and Lycra were popular fabrics. Men's disco outfits usually consisted of bell bottoms, unbuttoned shirts, jackets, and gold chains. Platform shoes were popular.

 

Punk

In the late 70s, the Sex Pistols brought punk into the fashion spotlight. This style rejected previous cultural norms in favor of a dirtier look with a greater shock factor. Bleached, torn clothing accompanied by dark makeup was the hallmark of this style. Brightly dyed hair, usually spiked, accompanied the look. The punk look, which began to take hold in 1977, would carry through into the early 80s.

News in the 70's

• The oil crisis in 1973 was caused when Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), during the Yom Kippur War, announced that they would no longer ship petroleum to nations that had supported Israel in its conflict with Syria and Egypt , to the United States and its allies in Western Europe. It was also announced that the price for Oil would increase drastically. The west was by now dependent on oil and together with prices quadrupling and measures for rationing the western world went into recession and suffered massive inflationary pressure. At that time the United States did have their own oil reserves and although they were affected the biggest impact was on European Economies.

• After nearly 10 years of war in Vietnam 1973 was also the year that allied forces pulled out of Vietnam

• Another significant factor in the 70's was the growth in women's rights and women's role in society including the ability to decide when where and if they wished to have children ( partly through the availably of the contraceptive pill )

• President Richard Nixon was forced to resign on 8th August as president of the United States due to imminent impeachment related to the Watergate scandal.

• With the continuing Cold War between the East and West the arms race continued with each side trying to find the ultimate weapon 

Popular Culture 1970's

The Waterbed The 70's produced many icons , one of those being the modern waterbed created by Charles Hall in 1968, This was fueled by the sexual revolution of the 70's encompassing the Waterbed .

Music 70's

• Progressive rock created a new generation of bands including Genesis, Yes, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Pink Floyd. Many other singers and bands also started or strengthened their fan base including The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Queen, Black Sabbath .

• In Europe, the music was not as progressive from bands like T Rex, Gary Glitter and David Bowie, and bands like Slade and the Sweet. And possibly the most successful in the 70's being ABBA

1970s Music The 1970s created a perfect musical bridge from the rebelliousness of the 1960s and the happy songs that are characteristic of the 1980s. Following the counterculture of the 60s, the 70s created a trend of relaxing music as well as dance music. People may have grown tired of the fighting that happened the previous decade and many of them sought a refuge in dance clubs and other places to enjoy a good time. Out of this idea emerged the Disco movement. Of course, there was still the bands and artists that continued to speak of the ills of society, typically characterized by the punk music of the era. But it seemed to be a much happier era than the 60s proved to be.

If ever a musical style defined a decade, Disco was the definition of the 1970s. Although its popularity was relatively short-lived, it created a great deal of songs and artists that people are still dancing to today.

Van McCoy’s “The Hustle” has often been referred to as the definitive disco track and many people say it was the first disco song created. Gloria Gaynor also enjoyed disco popularity with her anthem – “I Will Survive.” The Bee Gees also helped to define the disco genre with their hit “Jive Talkin’.” Their blockbuster “Stayin’ Alive” is often synonymous with the disco musical era. The Village People’s “YMCA” and “Macho Man” also helped to add to the popularity of this popular style. Unfortunately, it did not take long for the public to see disco’s silliness and commercialization – something that they had just rebelled against a few years earlier. Its lack of attention to musical significance helped add to its downfall after only a short time of popularity. 

Progressive rock was another popular genre during the 1970s. This type of music was typically characterized by rock music combined with another genre, such as classical or opera, to create a hybrid genre, so to speak. Songs from this genre were often longer and bands tended to be more spontaneous and experimental while they were playing live. Many progressive rock albums were also “concept albums,” meaning that they followed a theme throughout the entire album or series of albums. Pink Floyd was great at doing this. Their concept album – The Wall – was a psychedelic album that explored the loneliness that one feels due to the metaphorical walls that they build up around them. This 1979 album used philosophical lyrics and a variety of musical styles throughout the songs to exhibit the message that they were trying to get across to the listeners. “Another Brick in the Wall” was one of the most popular songs to emerge from this album and the band as a whole. 

Jethro Tull was a British rock band that also created concept albums for their audience. They had a unique vocal style combined with the dreamlike sound of a flute to help the listener immerse themselves into the songs that are being played. Their “Thick as a Brick” album was composed of essentially one track on two side of the album. This track consisted of repeating themes and movements that helped to mesmerize the listener. They also used a variety of genres to create their one-of-a-kind sound, including blues, jazz, rock, and classical music.

The punk rock genre also emerged in the 1970s. This was a style that continued on the legacy of the 1960s but with a more upbeat and harder style. Heavy guitar riffs and more decibels helped to motivate those who were still upset about the status quo in the country. The Ramones are often referred to as the original punk band. This band consisted of a group of family members that based their image on The Beatles but their music was much harder. On the lists that rate the greatest rock bands of all-time, The Ramones are often listed as #2, behind only The Beatles at #1. Their song “I Wanna Be Sedated” became a generational anthem depicting the feeling that society is so screwed up that the only way to get through life with your sanity is to be sedated for the entire experience. The Sex Pistols also enjoyed a short-lived success as a punk rock band of the 1970s. Band members heavily used drugs and alcohol which eventually led to their dissolution shortly after forming, but not before releasing two hit albums (“God Save the Queen” and “Never Mind the Bullocks”) that created a wave of rebellion throughout the United States and the UK.

Although the rebellious idea had died down shortly following Woodstock in 1969, there were still many people that disagreed with the establishment and the way the country was being run. Most people, though, were just looking for another way to vent their frustrations, which helped to give rise to the fun that disco music provided. The 1970s was not a unique decade in terms of creating innovations in musical styles and genres, but it was unique in that it was a musical bridge connecting the hippie lifestyle of the 1960s with the characteristic yuppie lifestyle that was about to occur in the 1980s.

Below are some of the popular artists and groups from the 1970's

Aerosmith

Alice Cooper

Bee Gees

Black Sabbath

Blondie

Bob Dylan

Bob Marley and the Wailers

Boomtown Rats

Bruce Springsteen

Chicago

Commodores

David Bowie

Elton John

Gloria Gaynor

Ike & Tina Turner

James Taylor

Janis Joplin

Jefferson Starship

John Lennon

Kiss

Led Zeppelin

Marvin Gaye

Michael Jackson

Minnie Riperton

Mungo Jerry

Paul McCartney & Wings

Paul Simon

Pink Floyd

Queen

Rod Stewart

The Doors

The Eagles

The Jackson 5

The Osmonds

The Police

The Rolling Stones

The Who

Village People

ZZ Top

1970s in film

Although the 1970s opened with Hollywood experiencing a financial and artistic depression, the decade became a creative high point in the US film industry. Restrictions on language, adult content and sexuality, and violence had loosened up, and these elements became more widespread. The hippie movement, the civil rights movement, free love, the growth of rock and roll, changing gender roles and drug use certainly had an impact. And Hollywood was renewed and reborn with the earlier collapse of the studio system, and the works of many new and experimental film-makers (nicknamed "Movie Brats") during a Hollywood New Wave.

The counter-culture of the time had influenced Hollywood to be freer, to take more risks and to experiment with alternative, young film makers, as old Hollywood professionals and old-style moguls died out and a new generation of film makers arose. Many of the audiences and movie-makers of the late 60s had seen a glimpse of new possibilities, new story-telling techniques and more meaningful 'artistic' options, by the influences of various European "New Wave" movements (French and Italian) and the original works of other foreign-language film-makers.

 

1960s social activism often turned into an inward narcissism, and yet this uncertain age gave rise to some of the finest, boldest, and most commercially-successful films ever made, such as the instant Oscar-winning blockbuster The Godfather (1972) by a virtually untested director, William Friedkin's horror classic The Exorcist (1973), Spielberg's Jaws (1975) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), and Lucas' Star Wars (1977).

 

Some of the Most Well Known Movie Stars of the Seventies

 Paul Newman

 Robert Redford

 Clint Eastwood

 John Wayne

 Burt Reynolds

 Al Pacino

 Woody Allen

 Barbra Streisand

TV and sitcoms 1970s

Situational comedy, usually known as sitcom, is one of the popular comedy genres. Sitcoms are totally different from stand up comedies where a comedian performs in front of a live audience. On the other hand, sitcom is a show which has a single story line, which is plotted around a group of characters. Such programs are actually called sitcoms because in each episode only the situation changes, but the place as well as the characters remain the same. Sitcoms were introduced through the medium of radio, however, during the 1940s, they started appearing on television. However, it was during the 1970s that sitcoms were given a new look. Though the 70's sitcoms were filled with humor and running gags, these programs dealt with issues related to social injustice, status quo, etc. It is due to this touch of reality that the sitcoms become extremely popular during the 70s and is remembered by people even today.

• The Streets of San Francisco 

  1972 - 1977.

• The Waltons 1972 - 1981.

• Chips 1977 - 1983.

• Ironside 1967 - 1975.

• Lassie 1954 - 1973.

• Starsky and Hutch 1975 - 1979.

• Dukes Of Hazzard 1979 - 1985.

• The Benny Hill Show 

   1969 - 1989.

• Monty Python’s Flying Circus 

   1969 - 1974.

• The Muppet Show 1976 - 1981.

• Bonanza 1959 - 1973.

• The Brady Bunch 1969 - 1974.

• Dallas 1978 - 1991.

• Charlie's Angels 1976 - 1981.

• Little House on the Prairie 

  1974 - 1983.

• Doctor Who 1963 - 1989.

• The Love Boat 1977 - 1986

• Gunsmoke 1955 - 1975.

• Columbo 1968 - 2003.

• Kojak 1973 - 1978.

• Kung Fu (1972 - 1975

• All In The Family 1971 - 1979.

• Laverne & Shirley 1976 - 1983.

• The Odd Couple 1970 - 1974.

• Bewitched 1964 - 1972.

• Happy Days 1974 - 1984.

• Sanford and Son 1972 - 1977.

• Steptoe and Son 2nd Series 1970 - 1974.

• Taxi 1978 - 1983.

• Benson 1979 - 1986.

Toys in the 70s

The toys from the 70's range from the new Cassette Radios which began to replace the earlier 8 track players, Calculators and the first Electronic Games consoles,

Bikes ranging from the traditional to Racing Bikes, Motocross Style Bikes and Spyder Bikes, .

Construction toys for boys including Lego, Brix Blox and others.

Board Games included the old favorites Clue, Scrabble, Operation, Monopoly but also included Board Games based on the latest TV and Movie Heroes Six Million Dollar Man, Bionic Woman, Charlies Angels and also popular TV game shows.

The forever popular Barbie's with all her extras including Ken and anything else children wanted to Barbie to have cars, pools, boats and the latest fashions. Those toys that have changed little in 40 years including Etch-A-Sketch, Slinky's, .

Then we have those toys which just lasted for a few years and are considered very 70's and all though some still have a following they are not the Big Thing They Were Then " Pogo Sticks, GI Joe Toys, Rock Em Sock Em Robots, Pinball Machines, Roller Skates ( A lot less kids Roller Skate today than they did in the 70's when there was a roller rink in every city and most small towns ).

Sporting Changes In The 70's

Baseball

• Players go on strike in 1972 the first players strike in sports history.

• Players gain free agency after 6 years allowing them to       demand higher wages.

• Hank Aaron breaks the legendary Babe Ruths                      Record and sets a new record of 755 home runs in 1974    which stood for 30 more years

Basketball

• The ABA or American Basketball Association and                 National Basketball Association NBA agree to merger           accepting 4 new teams into the NBA Denver, New York,       San Antonio and Indiana.

• At the end of the 70's two major changes in the game happened 1. ESPN and 

  2. three point line added.

Association Football (Soccer)

• Television Increases the Popularity of the game to new heights.

• Red and Yellow Cards Introduced

• German and British clubs rule European Football for ten years from 1974 to 1984

American Football

• Division I, Division II and Division III set up in college football

• The Steelers, Dolphins, Raiders, Vikings, Cowboys and Rams Dominate Respective        Divisions

• NFL extended its regular season to 16 games

Ice Hockey

• WHA teams join the NHL 

• First Summit Series played

• Bobby Orr and Boston Bruins win Stanley Cup

• Soviets Dominate World Championships and Olympics

Technology 1970's

• The 70's were the start in many ways of the Electronics and digital revolution, with the invention of transistors and Integrated Circuits in the late 60's, companies now found ways to use the technology which caused the phenomenal growth in smaller more powerful and cheaper products ranging from Calculators to Televisions.
• The 70's also saw the beginning of the Home Computer due to Intel creating the first cheap microprocessor - the Intel 4004, and other integrated circuits. In the beginning the computers were mainly for the hobbyists and included the Apple II, the TRS-80, the Commodore PET, and Atari 400/800 and with the growth of these home computers Bulletin Boards became a popular way for people to find others with similar interests.
• The first use of card access Electronic Locks appear.
• As people realized the power of these new home computers a new use was found and that was the beginning of the video game. When we look at those games now we see how basic they were but the technology available and the understanding of what could be done limited those early games.
• With the invention earlier of the microwave oven and now the capability to manufacturer and sell cheaply many homes adopted the technology in their kitchens.
• Due in part to the increased use of the 747 a Jumbo Jet able to carry large numbers of passengers across continents air travel booms and causes new problems with pollution, delays and air traffic control.

Inventions The Year Invented Inventors and Country
( or attributed to First Use )

Barcode ----- 1973 USA

E-Mail ----- 1971 USA

Floppy Disk ----- 1971 USA by Alan Shugart

Genetic Engineering ----- 1973 USA by 
                                        S Cohen and H Boyer

Ink Jet Printer ----- 1976 USA

In Vitro Fertilisation ----- 1978 England 
                                        "test tube baby"

Laser Printer ----- 1975 USA

LCDs ----- 1970 England by George Gray - Liquid Crystal Display

Microprocessor ----- 1971 USA

MRI Scanner ----- 1977 USA by Raymond Damadian

Personal Computer ----- 1975 USA

Space Station ----- 1973 USA Skylab 

sources:
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1970s.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_4760307_mens-fashion-s.html
http://www.filmsite.org/70sintro.html