Those American boys sure are high on life! Van Halen, European TV appearance, 1978
Is it Monday again already? Well, at least we have rousing music to pull us through another one.
Here’s Van Halen performing their version of The Kinks, “You Really Got Me.” The video presents the band on Europe’s “PopRock” show and is likely from 1978. The TV studio crowd seems a bit bewildered by the music as well as David Lee Roth’s antics and outfit. Roth, however, certainly seems to be enjoying himself.
Van Halen recorded “You Really Got Me” in late 1977 for inclusion on their eponymous debut L.P. which released February 10, 1978. Their single of the classic tune rose to #36 on the Billboard “Hot 100.”
Lazy Sunday alert! Time to catch up on some 1970s-related stories in the news. Today, we take a look at rare early-70s Little Richard photos, a Susan Dey ‘Style Evolution’ gallery, modern day Travolta and Newton-John in Grease mode and where the cast of 1977’s Saturday Night Fever are now. Tuck in.
Little Richard, LIFE Magazine Photos, 1971
Good golly! Prince ain’t got nuthin’ on this. Little Richard, 1971 by Ralph Morse/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Photographer Ralph Morse has no recollection of this 1971 photo shoot with Little Richard but that doesn’t make the images any less enjoyable. Slip and slide on over and check them out. Oh, and Happy (recent) 80th Birthday, Little Richard!
LIFE Quote:
“What’s certain is that, four decades after they were made, these portraits of the Macon, Georgia, native — published here on Little Richard’s 80th birthday, December 5, 2012 — capture at least a small part of the unnerving and somewhat unhinged charisma of the man many credit as the true originator of rock and roll. (Little Richard, his backers argue, was the first, true, living, breathing, screaming bridge between R&B and rock.)”
Susan Dey Style Evolution Gallery
Lori and Keith Partridge, style icons, 1972 Getty Images
More fun photos, this time with a focus on actress Susan Dey. Dey, best known for The Partridge Family (1970-74) and L.A. Law (1986-94), has sported many enticing looks over the years. I’d say there’s some questionable attire on display from the 1980s but how many of us can claim to be free of embarrassing 80s photos?
“Though she began her career as a model, Susan Dey launched into true superstardom with 1970s family sitcom ‘The Partridge Family.’ Off screen, the actress favored ’70s color-blocked sweaters and ruffle-y blouses, but then transitioned accordingly to shoulder pads and cowboy boots in the ’80s.”
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John Release Grease-Inspired Video
‘You’re the one that I want! Shoo bop doo wadda wadda!’ Travolta & Newton-John, ‘I Think You Might Like It,’ 2012
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John have recorded a holiday record, This Christmas, and released a new Grease-inspired video which you can catch below. For more details – read the story at People magazine.
People Quote:
“In the video for ‘I Think You Might Like It,’ Travolta flies a plane home while Newton-John drives a classic convertible full of gifts. The pair reunite in a field to perform some dance moves reminiscent of their Grease finale, ‘You’re the One That I Want.'”
John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, ‘I Think You Might Like It’, 2012
Saturday Night Fever ‘Where Are They Now’? Gallery
‘Oh, Tony, your hair is magnificent.’ ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ 1977
Lastly, in celebration of the iconic movie’s 35th anniversary, MovieFone takes a look at the Saturday Night Fever cast in a ‘Where Are They Now?’ gallery.
MovieFone Quote:
“The film grossed $94 million in the U.S. alone, and racked up $237 million worldwide. The soundtrack ruled the charts for 24 straight weeks and is still ranked as one of the all-time bestsellers. (Admit it, every time you hear, ‘Stayin’ Alive,’ you feel like strutting.)”
‘To drink and make thyself divine.’ Vivian Stanshall, biG GRunt, ’11 Mustachioed Daughters,’ 1970
Here’s a wild and wonderful performance from early 1970 you’ll want to see. After the demise of The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Vivian Stanshall formed biG GRunt. The band didn’t last very long but thankfully a few songs and videos remain.
Music from and for the brain? biG GRunt, ’11 Mustachioed Daughters,’ 1970
Here’s biG GRunt performing “11 Mustachioed Daughters.” The song was originally a Bonzo tune and appeared on “The Doughnut in Granny’s Greenhouse” in 1967. The performance you’ll see below is a much different, re-vamped version and features numerous contraptions and costumes. Click it and dig it!
The Krofft Supershow originally ran on ABC from September, 1976 through September, 1978. A live-action “band”, Kaptain Kool and the Kongs, hosted the show, played music (often written by The Osmonds) and introduced the various segments, or mini-shows.
I can post another shot of ‘Electra Woman and Dyna Girl’? Oh, yeah!
Here’s the intro for the 1976 debut season where you can get a look at 70s Atlanta and spy a bit of the World of Sid and Marty Krofft amusement park where the Kaptain Kool segments were shot.
Light the fuse – it’s time for Cannon! ‘Cannon’ TV title card, 1971
Cannon starred William Conrad (d. 1994) as the title character, who quits the LAPD after his wife and son die in an accident and becomes a private detective. The rotund and robust gentleman charged high fees for his services, liked fine wine and fancy foods and drove around Southern California in a Lincoln Continental. When in a tight situation, Cannon would use his mighty girth to subdue the bad guys.
William Conrad is private detective Frank Cannon. ‘Cannon’ TV intro, 1971
Cannon aired from September, 1971 to September, 1976 on CBS. The show ran on Tuesday nights during its first season, moved to Wednesday for the bulk of its run and ended up on Sunday in the summer of ’76.
The intro below is from the Cannon debut, “The Salinas Jackpot,” which originally aired on September 14, 1971. Tom Skerritt and Vincent Van Patten co-starred in the episode.
The dancing Rolo scamps are at it again! Rolo candy commercial, 1970s
Here’s a pair of 1970s-era TV spots for Rolo candies. In the first commercial you’ll enjoy a team of dancing Rolos and a delightfully ‘chewy’ sing-a-long song. I hadn’t seen this ad in something like 35 years but I remembered it well and I got that buzzy flashback feeling I love where I’m transported back to my candy-obsessed youth.
Casting Call: One young lady who REALLY likes Rolos Rolo candy commercial, 1979
The second spot (from 1979) features the “Roll a Rolo to your friend” campaign which lasted into the 80s. Chew ’em up!
Rolo Candies: Dancing ‘Chewy’ Rolos, Mid to late 70s
