LIFE Magazine, 1971: Rock Stars and their parents

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The September 24, 1971 issue, of LIFE Magazine ran a photo story featuring rock stars posing with their parents. Time.com has put a collection of shots online and I invite you to explore it. The images, taken by John Olson, are insightful and not the usual rock star fare. It’s hard to play it cool when you’re hanging out with Mom.

Frank Zappa with dad Francis and mom Rosemarie, 1970. (John Olson—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)



Eric Clapton with Grandmother Rose, 1970. (John Olson—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)



Elton John with mum Sheila and her husband Fred, 1970. (John Olson—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)



David Crosby with his Oscar-winning cinematographer father, Floyd, 1970. (John Olson—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)



The Jackson 5 with parents, Joe and Katherine, 1970. (John Olson—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

You can view the entire collection at Time.com.

Trailer Tuesday: ‘Trouble Man’ (1972)

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Trouble Man, 1972. 'You jive him, he'll wash you away.'

Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s one for all you lovers out there. Directed by Ivan Dixon (Hogan’s Heroes‘ Sgt. Kinchloe), Trouble Man made its debut in November of 1972. The film starred Robert Hooks as a private detective called “Mr. T.” and featured a fantastic soundtrack by Marvin Gaye.

Say what you will about the film, the trailer has some of the best narration to ever grace a movie screen. Lines like “wears $600 suits, drives a $10,000 car and he carries two guns; one to stop trouble and one to make trouble” and “rub him wrong and he’ll blow up in your face” are deserving of deep respect. Watch it!

Trouble Man Wiki, IMDb

Music for Monday: ABBA, ‘S.O.S.’

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ABBA performing 'S.O.S.' on European TV , 1975

Recorded in August of 1974 and released in September of 1975 in the US, ABBA‘s “S.O.S.” rose to a respectable #15 on the Billboard charts. Elsewhere in the world it fared better, hitting number 1 in countries such as Germany and Australia. Enjoy one of the best pop songs of all time (and some groovy miniskirt..dress..thingamajigs) and have a happy Monday!

70s Spots: Japanese Star Wars Tuna Ad (’78)

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Hagoromo 'Star Wars' tuna fish TV spot, 1978. Beware the Star Wars ninja in the background there.

This is one of those TV spots that’s so awful it turns into something wonderful. In 1978, Japanese seafood company Hagoromo produced this apparently unauthorized Star Wars tuna fish spot to capitalize on the movie’s breakout success and impending release in Japan.

This ad was difficult to research, but I believe it is indeed unauthorized as the actors are wearing unofficial costumes with glaring errors. Is that “Chewbacca” jumping up and shrieking like a monkey? Why, yes it is! Glorious. Why not watch it a few more times?

70s Magazines: Shazam’s Micheal Gray Tiger Beat Collection

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Recently, I posted the intro for Filmation’s Shazam! from 1974. The star of that show, Michael Gray, has his own Web Site where you can catch up on all the actor has been up to since. On that Web Site are a trio of Tiger Beat magazines (for sale) featuring Gray on the cover – along with David Cassidy, The Osmonds, Michael Jackson and others.

Tiger Beat was a well-known teen magazine in the 60s and 70s and I picked up a few copies when I was a kid. I bought 16 Magazine more often though as they had the best Bay City Rollers articles. I was always a bit embarrassed when buying a copy of these mags as they were aimed at teenage girls. Oh, the horror! Have a look!

Tiger Beat, February, 1973



Tiger Beat's Fave! December, 1972



Tiger Beat's Sectacular! April, 1973

Michael Gray Bio:

“Good looks and a couple of television roles helped to give actor Michael Gray many years in between and on the covers of ‘Tiger Beat’ magazine. Born in Chicago, Michael moved to Florida when he was a young boy. He caught the acting bug in high school, and eventually made his way to Hollywood.

In 1972, Michael won the role of Ronnie on the NBC series ‘The Little People,’ a charming sitcom that starred Brian Keith as a pediatrician with a practice on Oahu, Hawaii. The series was reworked for the second season and retitled ‘The Brian Keith Show,’ and Michael was let go.

Signed to a management deal with Charles Laufer, pubisher of ‘Tiger Beat,’ Michael was able to keep a high profile while rounding up other acting roles. Michael’s second series came in 1974, when he was cast in his signature role, as Billy Batson on the Saturday morning series ‘Shazam.'”

Funshine Friday: The Great Grape Ape Show

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The Great Grape Ape Show, 1975. 'The big, big, big, big gorilla!'

Happy Funshine Friday, friends and neighbors! Today, let’s enjoy the intro for Hanna-Barbera’s The Great Grape Ape Show.

The overly large and very purple simian first aired in September of 1975 as part of The New Tom and Jerry/Grape Ape Show. By 1977-78 The Great Grape Ape had his own show airing Sunday mornings. You may also remember the 40-ft-tall beast from his many appearances as a “Yogi Yahooey” on Scooby’s All-Star Laff-A-Lympics and Scooby’s All-Stars. Grape Ape!