Patti Smith Group, Old Grey Whistle Test, 1978
Patti Smith released “Because the Night” in April of 1978 and it rose to #13 on the US Billboard “Hot 100”. The song, co-written with Bruce Springsteen, appeared on Smith’s Easter L.P. and is her best known tune to date.
Here’s Smith performing “Because the Night” live on the UK’s Old Grey Whistle Test in 1978.
In posts past, we took a look at eye-catching Time Magazine covers from 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974. Today, let’s turn our attention to the year 1975.
Major events included the end of the Vietnam War, Ford’s first full year as US president and musical reports on Elton John, Cher and Bruce Springsteen. Investigate below. By clicking one image you can easily scroll through them all.
‘It’s up to Kid Power. All the colors in your head.’ Rankin/Bass, 1972
Rankin/Bass Productions produced 17, 30-minute Kid Power cartoons and they originally ran from September 16, 1972 through September of 1974. The show featured a multiracial “Rainbow Club” cast of kids (Oliver, Nipper, Wellington, Connie, etc.) and was based on Morrie Turner’s Wee Pals comic strip.
Here’s the intro with its catchy theme song. Blast that sucker and have a happy Funshine Friday!
Ladies & Gentlemen, your 2012 Dallas team
Famed nighttime soap opera, Dallas, which originally ran from 1978 to 1991, returned to TV last night. The new Dallas premiered on TNT with a two-hour episode and first reviews are generally favorable.
70s cast members; Larry Hagman (J.R.), Patrick Duffy (Bobby) and Linda Gray (Sue Ellen) return in their old roles and are joined by a raft of new actors as sons and love interests. Here’s a review snippet from Entertainment Weekly‘s Ken Tucker:
“So far, Henderson displays the best chemistry with Hagman – as son and father, they seem to enjoy scamming others (and, soon enough, each other). And overall, Dallas is a solidly constructed soap opera, with strong wooden dialogue and oily plot twists.”
Here’s a bit from Rolling Stone:
“Television has gotten much more sophisticated since the Dallas days, so it may seem heretical, contrarian, or just plain insane to hail it as the most innovative and influential show of modern times. But if we’re living in a golden age of TV, it’s the Ewings’ fault, because they invented the game everyone plays now. They proved you could stretch out the story week to week, throwing in preposterous cliffhangers and plot twists and power struggles. And they proved you could sum up the country’s sickest dreams and flaws all in one expensively f-d-up family.”
Read more: Dallas review at Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone.
Official Dallas TNT site
*Update: Cinema Blend is reporting that Dallas brought in “Solid Ratings”.
Cinema Blend Quote:
“The numbers are in and it looks like TNT has cause to celebrate, as the drama garnered some impressive ratings for its debut.
6,863,00 million viewers tuned in to watch Dallas’ grand return to television. As TNT points out, this is three years in a row that the cable channel has done well with a series launch.”
There’s always a number of worthy 1970s-related stories poking around the Web at any given time. The problem is tracking them down quickly when you need a hearty dose of nostalgia. With that in mind – let me direct you to a trio of slightly wonderful stories which have popped up in recent days. I’ll have to make this a regular feature for the benefit of us all.
CollectingCandy.com – 1975 Photo Hunt
'Who can take the sunrise?...' (photo from CollectingCandy.com)
First up, we have CollectingCandy.com who have uncovered a two-page article from a 1975 candy trade magazine. The site’s Jason Liebig takes us on a candy-covered photo hunt pointing out the long-lost goodies and wrapper variations. White Starburst packages? Candy Pennies? Even with the extreme amount of candy I consumed in the 70s I had forgotten about those. Explore it.
Plaid Stallions – Vintage Toy Store Pics
Heroes in Action display, 1970s. Want..these...
Next up, we have the always-interesting and funny Plaid Stallions with an extensive collection of Vintage Toy Store Pictures. It’s a lot of fun letting your eyes search through these images of long-gone toys in pristine condition. I’m partial to the Star Wars items and the Heroes In Action soldiers. I had a good number of those back in ’75-’77. Window shop.
A Geek’s First Journal – Straight Outta ’74
A Geek's First Journal - keepin' it real since '74
Lastly, I’ll remind you (or clue you in) to the fact that BookSteve continues to post authentic (and achingly-honest) 70s diary entries at his 1974 A Geek’s First Journal site. Hop on over daily for a blast from the past featuring young Steve’s Linda Blair obsession and documentation of the films he sees and comics he purchases. Read it.
1974 A Geek’s Journal Quote:
“Sunday, May 26th, 1974
I saw Mike Oldfield do TUBULAR BELLS on TV.I finally wrote the penpal letter. It’s been almost three months since I heard from the other one.
I entered a NATIONAL ENQUIRER contest where they grant your wish. I wished to meet Linda Blair. In case that doesn’t work, I also wrote to find out her address. (I also asked if they knew who was going to play on PLANET OF THE APES on TV this fall.) All day long I’ve been thinking about Linda Blair. I don’t know what I’d do if I ever did meet her. I now have almost 40 different photos of her, though, and I still intend to see her movie eventually.
I saw on TV a Laurel and Hardy short and a special called MAGICAL MYSTERY TRIP THROUGH LITTLE RED’S HEAD. I was really attracted to the show. I don’t know why.”
'...And hustling them all, Paul Newman.' Slap Shot, 1977
In honor of my local team winning the Stanley Cup last night for the first time in their 45-year-history (Go Kings!) I happily foist upon you the theatrical trailer for hockey flick, Slap Shot.
Slap Shot stars Paul Newman as Reggie Dunlop, the player/coach of the Charlestown Chiefs. The film was directed by George Roy Hill (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting) and was released in February of 1977. Newman stated that his role as Dunlop was a personal favorite. Post-1970s, Slap Shot has taken on cult status and is considered something of a “Guy’s Classic”.