‘The Streak’: Number One for May, 1974

For some reason, in the early 1970s a fair number of people felt compelled to shed their clothes at televised events and unexpectedly “Streak” across the screen. It got so you never knew whether or not a stranger in the nude would invade that evening’s sporting event or TV interview.

Running in the buff became such a phenomenon that country singer Ray Stevens wrote and recorded a novelty tune entitled “The Streak” – and it raced nakedly all the way to number one for three weeks: May 12 – June 1, 1974.

Ray Stevens and 'The Streak' on Top of the Pops 1974. Play that funky joke whistle!

Interesting Factoids: “The Streak” sold over five million copies worldwide and is ranked at No.8 on Billboard‘s Top Hits of 1974.

“Choice Lyric: I’s just in here gettin my car checked, he just appeared out of the traffic. Come streakin’ around the grease rack there, didn’t have nothin’ on but a smile.
I looked in there, and Ethel was gettin’ her a cold drink. I hollered, “Don’t look, Ethel!” But it was too late.
She’d already been mooned. Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers.”

Ray Stevens Wiki

Jeff Conaway Passes

Jeff Conaway, best known to 70s fans as Kenickie in the film Grease and Bobby Wheeler on TV’s Taxi, has passed away at the age of 60. Conaway had been in a coma since May 11th and was under care at Encino Tarzana Medical Center where “the actor’s family decided to take him off life support on Thursday, after doctors said there was no hope of recovery.” You can find further details at CBS News.

Conaway with Kaufman on Taxi, 1978

Interesting Factoids:
The film Grease was released in 1978. According to IMDB, Conaway “had to walk slightly stooped so John Travolta would appear taller.” Additionally, although Conaway played the role of Kenickie in the film, in the Broadway production he was cast as Danny Zuko.

Conaway played the role of hillbilly kid Willie in 1977’s Pete’s Dragon and appeared on Happy Days in both ’75 and ’76 as Rocko.

Conaway was nominated for Golden Globe Awards for TV Supporting Actor for Taxi in 1979 and 1980.

Jeff Conaway at IMDB, Jeff Conaway Wiki

Bay City Rollers: ‘Money Honey’ on Telly

It’s time for some Bay City Rollers methinks. Let’s take a loving look at the lads from Edinburgh performing “Money Honey” on what appears to be German television. This would likely be from sometime in spring 1976 when said single was released.

There's a flood a-comin' - but the Rollers are prepared!

“Money Honey” was the first piece of vinyl I ever bought. I walked down to a small record shop on Fairfax Avenue (near Rosewood) and picked up the Arista 45 rpm in a plain light blue sleeve (which I still have.) The tune ‘Maryanne’ appeared on the B-side.

What the hell was I doing walking down to the record shop on my own at nine-years-old anyway?

“Money (Money, Money) can’t make you turn your head now. Money (Money, Money) can’t get you into bed now. Money, Honey can’t give more than you get now.”

Bay City Rollers Wiki, Bay City Rollers Absolute Unofficial

Forgotten TV: ‘Holmes & YoYo’ (1976)

Holmes & YoYo only ran for 13 measly episodes during the 1976-77 season, but it has really stuck in my mind. Something about a 427 pound robot cop with a heart of gold captured my fidgety nine-year-old imagination and never completely let go. The series seemed like a faded dream and I could never find any information on the legendary-to-me comedy. Thankfully, with the passing of time and the rise of YouTube and Wikipedia I can now foist some of that Holmes & YoYo magic upon you.

Oh no! Yo-Yo's a Ro-Ro!

Holmes & Yo-Yo made its debut September 25, 1976 on ABC. Each episode ran 30 minutes in length and starred Richard B. Shull as luckless Detective Alex Holmes and John Schuck as Gregory Yoyonivich aka “YoYo.” YoYo the android, or as the show’s opening calls him “A completely mobile computer specially programmed for police work,” could perform many dandy crime-fighting feats such as, uh, twirling head-over-heels, absorbing bomb blasts and taking Polaroid photographs with a push of his nose.

Have a look at the show’s opening which sets up the premise beautifully:



Unfortunately, some critics, such as TV Guide which voted Holmes & YoYo onto their ’50 Worst TV Shows of All Time’ list, haven’t remembered the show as fondly as I have. To which I say “Phooey, sir or madam critic!”

Check out part one of episode three, ‘The Dental Dynamiter’ below. If you enjoy the first nine minutes you can easily find parts two and three afterward. This is the most I’ve seen of Holmes & YoYo since 1977. The nine-year-old inside me is dancing The Robot with joy.

(Holmes & YoYo at Wikipedia)

Time Covers 1970

Venerable news weekly Time Magazine provides us all with a “time” capsule of history stretching from 1923 to the present day. We here at Bionic Disco are concerned with all things 70s, so let’s take a look at a choice selection of Time Magazine covers from the year 1970. It’s a fascinating collection and we’ll be sure to check in with ’71-’79 in future posts.

Time/Cover Source

TV Time: Big Wheel vs Green Machine

Hey kids, it’s Commercial time at Bionic Disco. Today, we feature a battle of kid-powered racers; Big Wheel versus The Green Machine.

Big Wheels are a'rollin'. Listen to them turn!



Most everyone had a Big Wheel. The really cool kids had a Green Machine. The Green Machine was extra-fast and had multiple levers – so you knew it was for badasses only. Yeah. I had a Big Wheel.

8, 9, 10...old enough for Green Machine!