Music for Mondays: The Ramones ‘Judy is a Punk’ (’77)

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Joey Ramone says 'Judy is a Punk.' I believe him. Aug. 1977

Happy Monday, Bionic ones. It’s time for an injection of music to get our day started off right. Here now is the Ramones (who formed in 1974) performing “Judy is a Punk” on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert on August 9th, 1977. One minute and 20 seconds of pure bliss.

I remember watching the Ramones on Rock Concert (one of the very few TV programs presenting rock and roll played live) but I’d guess it was a re-run sometime around 1979.



Ramones Wiki

A Geek’s Journal – 1976

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Today, I’d like to point you in the direction of a wonderful 1970s blog entitled “A Geek’s Journal -1976.” The blog is written by a gentlemen who goes by the nickname “Booksteve” and is based on his actual teenage diary from 1976.

Early Geek culture uncovered

Each day Booksteve graces us with a new entry taken from his ’76 journal and ends with an explanation of the more cryptic life moments described. It’s a fantastic slice-of-70s-life and comes highly recommended. Here’s a sample chunk from today’s entry:

“Sunday, Aug 8th, 1976

I’ve been thinking about getting out my Hot Wheels tracks again for the first time in a few years. May do that tomorrow.

Terry called and gave away the ending of yet another ELLERY QUEEN episode I’ve missed, damn it!

I’ve also committed myself to taking the bus out to the Village Theater tomorrow night to catch the movie I skipped this weekend but because of SS work, I probably can’t go. Who knows? Maybe I’ll see SILENT MOVIE instead.”

‘Here’s Lucy’: Donny Osmond Sings for Brady and Ball (1972)

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Ball and Plumb flippin' out for Osmond - Here's Lucy, Nov. 1972

Happy 100th Birthday Lucille Ball! I Love Lucy (filmed in the 1950s) was a daily syndicated staple of our 1970s TV viewing. I watched Lucy cause trouble for husband Ricky pretty much every weekday and was a big fan. Really though, who wasn’t? The fact that the show ran right before The Brady Bunch re-runs didn’t hurt either.

Let’s celebrate this fine comedic actress with a scene from her 1970s series Here’s Lucy. Below, we have a snippet of teen heartthrob Donny Osmond singing “Too Young” to Lucy and Eve Plumb (aka Jan Brady) in the November 20, 1972 episode. Happy Birthday!

Here’s some additional Lucy reading for your celebration today: L.A. Times‘ “Lucille Ball, 100 and ageless,” Lucille Ball museum, I Love Lucy Wiki, Here’s Lucy IMDb

Muppet Show: Elton Sings ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’

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Elton sings 'Goodbye Yellow Felt Toad' on The Muppet Show, Oct. 1977

I’m not sure how to classify this amazing mixture of Elton John and The Muppets. It’s music, TV, comedy and 70s culture all rolled up into one fuzzy ball of awesomeness. Just press play and enjoy Elton singing “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem on episode 214 of The Muppet Show from late 1977.

Muppet Wiki – Episode 214

Bubba Smith Dies

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'I also love the easy-opening cans' - Bubba Smith, 1977

Football great Charles Aaron “Bubba” Smith has died at the age of 66 in his Los Angeles home. Perhaps best-known in the 1980s for his portrayal of Moses Hightower in six Police Academy movies, Smith also made quite a name for himself in the 1970s.

Smith played defensive end with the Baltimore Colts (1967-71,) –which included a victory over the Cowboys in Super Bowl V–, Oakland Raiders (1973-74), and Houston Oilers (1975-76). After leaving the game, Smith appeared on 70s TV shows such as The New Adventures of Wonder Woman (’78), Good Times (’78) and Charlie’s Angels (’79).

Many more will remember Bubba Smith from his long-running stint pitching Miller Light. Enjoy a fine example from 1977 below. Here’s to you, Bubba! We’ll raise a glass of milk on your behalf — seeing as how you didn’t actually drink alcohol.

Bubba Smith Wiki, IMDb, Bubba Smith Obit at the L.A. Times

Rad Ads: Fancy Fashion (’78)

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Today, we revisit some fanciful magazine ads from 1978 featuring fashion-forward fabrics; polyester and fur. After looking at this collection you’ll find yourself hankering for a nice fur-lined jogging ensemble. Hmmm, that had to have been created. I must find photographic proof.

These punch-face shirts are for freakin' hard men. No sissypants fluffy poos allowed! Also, they're highly-washable.

George Zessi and his special lady friend (there so much history behind this photo...in my mind)

You know these ladies are interested in that dapper chap by the way they avoid his gaze

If polyester was this fun, damnit, we'd still be wearing it!

These two Virgin Islands honeymooners must really love eachother (yep, 'cause they refuse to look at one another)

Eastman's famous Kodafill polyester filling. What do you mean you've never heard of it?!