America’s Bicentennial: July 4th, 1976

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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

TV Time: Sesame Street & Grover the Waiter

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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!



Muppet Wiki, Sesame Street.org

July 1st, 1976: Elvis Rocks Shreveport

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On Thursday evening, July 1st, 1976 a somewhat rotund Elvis Presley performed at Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana. The King strode onstage to a dramatic rendition of the 2001: A Space Odyssey theme before launching into a rollicking version of “C. C. Rider.” Later in the show he played a medley of 50s hits including “All Shook Up”, “Don’t be Cruel” and “Teddy Bear.” Just over a year later, in August, 1977 The King would be gone.

Elvis onstage in '76. White flares and shakin' knees driving the crowd wild.

While it’s difficult to find more than scratchy Super-8 footage of Elvis performing in 1976 I have uncovered a nice clip of Elvis rehearsing at MGM in L.A., July 1970 (from Elvis: That’s the Way It Is.) Click below for high-quality footage of Elvis casually running through a version of “Little Sister.” About halfway through Elvis and band break into The Beatles “Get Back.” Good stuff.

Other notable July 1st milestones:

July 1st, 1976 – Showtime cable television network debuts locally in Dublin, CA with the Celebration concert featuring performances by ABBA, Pink Floyd and Rod Stewart.

July 1st, 1979 – Sony releases the first Walkman.

(Elvis Pic and Set List Source: Elvis Presley In Concert)

ABBA: Take a Chance On Me

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Agnetha Fältskog - the quintessential 70s beauty

By law, if your web site even so much as mentions the 1970s you must feature ABBA at least once per month. Who am I to argue? ABBA’s “Take a Chance On Me” was recorded in August 1977 and released as a single in January of 1978. The song hit #1 in the UK, Austria and Ireland and #3 in the US.

Sing along now with Agnetha, Anni-Frid, Benny and Björn:

“If you change your mind, I’m the first in line
Honey I’m still free, Take a chance on me
If you need me let me know, Gonna be around
If you got no place to go, if you’re feeling down”

Peter Falk, TV’s “Columbo” Has Died

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Peter Falk as Columbo - 'Sorry to bother you ma'am. That will be all. Uh, ma'am...just one more thing...'


Charismatic and beloved actor Peter Falk, best-known to 70s fans as TV’s “Columbo,” has died at the age of 83. In recent years Mr. Falk had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and passed away Thursday evening in his Beverly Hills home. You can read the NY Times Obit for more.

Mr. Falk first appeared as Columbo in the 1968 TV movie “Prescription: Murder,” followed by another TV movie “Ransom For a Dead Man” in 1971. The success of these specials led NBC to launch a monthly Columbo series (as part of their NBC Mystery Movie, rotating with McCloud and McMillan & Wife) on September 15, 1971. Columbo ran regularly from 1971 to 1978.

Interesting Factoids: The first regular episode of Columbo, “Murder by the Book,” was directed by Steven Spielberg. Peter Falk also appeared in the 1970s films; Murder by Death (’76), The Cheap Detective (’78), The Brink’s Job (’78) and The In-Laws (’79).

Grab a look below at three minutes of the excellent Columbo episode ‘Try and Catch Me’ from 1977. Thank you Mr. Falk. You will be missed.



Columbo Wiki, Peter Falk IMDb

Cheap Trick: Dream Police

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In September of 1979 Cheap Trick released the “Dream Police” LP. The eponymous title track and lead-off single reached a high of #26 on the US charts and the album climbed as high as #6, grabbing platinum status within months.

Below you can enjoy the band’s “Dream Police” promotional video in all its Zander-Petersson beauty and Nielsen-Carlos wackiness. You will find yourself singing along. Give in and belt it out.

Dream Police 1979 - Paranoid much?

“‘Cause they’re waiting for me
They’re looking for me
Every single night they’re driving me insane
Those men inside my brain”



Cheap Trick.com, Cheap Trick “Dream Police” Wiki