Broadway Joe for Brut cologne - 'If you're not gonna go all the way, man...why go at all?'
Here’s 30 seconds of pure manly bliss. 70s superstar, NY Jets Quarterback Joe Namath for Brut cologne. Blow-dried locks, beige suit and giant shirt collar all present and accounted for. You know you want to rush out and buy a bottle after viewing this one. Go Joe!
“After the game. After anything. Brut goes all the way.”
Former First Lady, Betty Ford has died at the age of 93. The wife of U.S. President Gerald Ford, who served (post Watergate scandal) from August, 1974 to January, 1977, Betty Ford will be remembered for bravely speaking out about her breast cancer surgery and for founding the substance abuse recovery center which carried her name.
Betty and Gerald Ford. A hug in the White House, 1970s.
Betty Ford was well-liked by the 70’s public who admired her candid, public mentions of her family’s trails and tribulations, support of women’s rights and her populist overtures, such as the wearing of a trendy Mood Ring and chattering on a CB radio where she went by the handle “First Mamma.” Some folks were so fond of her they wore Gerald Ford campaign buttons that read “Betty’s Husband for President ’76.”
Here’s an ABC News snippet of Gerald Ford’s 1974 inauguration with Betty Ford at his side.
Jogging became a bone fide craze in the late 1970s and Hollywood celebrity couple Lee Majors (The Six Million Dollar Man) and Farrah Fawcett (Charlie’s Angels) spoke about their favorite form of exercise in the July 4th, 1977 issue of People Magazine.
Let’s take a peek at this moment of sweat-inducing hilarity:
“Though they’ve been accused recently of running out on their contracts, Lee and Farrah Fawcett-Majors (opposite) insist that the only real running they do is for exercise. “It makes us feel good and healthy,” says ABC’s Six Million Dollar Man, who points out that he also jogs every week on TV—’at 60 miles an hour.’
One of Hollywood’s more athletic couples, Farrah is a devoted tennis player, Lee plays racquet-ball and touch football, and they started jogging together several years ago. Unlike some stars, they never got hooked on a particular time of day, and when busy schedules make it impossible for them to run together, the Majorses do it separately. Says Farrah: ‘It’s part of my life—like brushing my teeth.’ ”
Gratuitous 70s bun shot number 614
Adding weight to Farrah Fawcett-Major’s athletic buns and Lee Major’s bionic leg sound effects – Jim Fixx‘s The Complete Book of Running was released in September of ’77. It sold over a million copies, became the best selling non-fiction title of the day and helped bring jogging into the mainstream. Oh, and there was Run, Joe, Run too. That title alone probably helped make running popular as well.
I’ll leave you with a bonus ad from the same July 4th, 1977 issue of People Magazine. Keep on runnin’!
American soccer star Kyle Rote Jr. Dallas Tornado forward in 1977. Look at them shiny choppers!
The Bee Gees weren’t the only sexy fellows with long wavy hair who slipped into gold lamé and sang their hearts out during the 1970s. We mustn’t forget about the “Sicilian Songbird” – the one, the only Vinnie Barbarino. Here he is comin’ at ya “live” from the “Sweathog Telethon” in Brooklyn, New York (aka ABC Television Studios in Los Angeles) in February of 1976.
Nobel Laureate Vincent Barbarino, Feb. 1976
John Travolta played “Sweathog” Vinnie Barbarino in 78 episodes of Welcome Back, Kotter on ABC TV between 1975 and 1979. After Travolta’s movie career exploded into the stratosphere with Carrie, Saturday Night Fever, and Grease, he began appearing on Kotter less and less. He shoved his last rubber hose up a nose in the “Barbarino’s Baby” episode of February 3rd, 1979.
The Barbarino dance, however, lives on forever. Evidence on display below.
Happy 4th of July, folks! From 1974 throughout 1976 America was gripped with a “Bicentennial fever” of sorts.
The omnipresent ('74-'76) Bicentennial symbol
It started with the government unveiling the official Bicentennial logo (above) and went on to encompass TV commercials featuring Ben Franklin and other 1776-era figures, “Bicentennial Minute” public service announcements, numerous Bicentennial postage stamps being issued and the painting of local fire hydrants red, white and blue. Really, pretty much any paintable or printable surface seemed to sport red, white and blue colors from ’74-’76.
I can distinctly remember vacationing at my grandparent’s place in Houston, Texas and watching TV coverage of the massive flotilla of ships streaming into the New York Harbor while fireworks exploded overhead. The 1976 Summer Olympics would follow soon after (July 17th) and it just felt good to be an American.
Have a look at this great footage (below) from ABC on the long-awaited day of celebration. It’s a real slice-o’-life moment from 35 years ago. If you like what you see, you can continue onto parts 2-5 easily enough. Have a great extended weekend and an enjoyable 70s flashback!
Sunday, July 04, 1976: “From the American Broadcasting Company’s Bicentennial Center in New York City…Harry Reasoner.”
Read more: Bicentennial, ’76 Summer Olympics, Bicentennial postage stamps, Harry Reasoner
Growing up in the 1970s we spent countless hours parked in front of the television. Much of our morning viewing time was spent scarfing an overflowing bowl of Cheerios (or Lucky Charms on a good day) and watching Sesame Street.
My life-model Grover causing glorious trouble in 1974. Thanks teach!
My favorite Muppet was (and still is) that lovable blue rascal Grover. Back in the 70s I especially enjoyed watching Grover torment the blue guy with the mustache (also known as “Mr. Johnson”.) Let’s take two minutes out of our stressful day to enjoy Grover in a Charlie’s Restaurant segment from Sesame Street Episode 0705 which first aired in December 1974. This segment may be why I later turned to Vegetarianism. Beware the engorged burger!