In the early 70s TV’s sensational singing siblings, The Partridge Family starred in a few Kellog’s Rice Krispies commercials. The refrain was “Wakin’ up! Wakin’ up,” and in the first spot poor put-upon Reuben (Dave Madden) had to pour the milk and serve out the bowls. But, hey, that’s the manager’s job.
Hurry up with the pouring Reuben. Rehearsing in the garage is hungry work.
In the second spot, sleepy Keith Partridge (David Cassidy) is roused by a shout from the kitchen by Mom (Shirley Jones – his real life Step Mom, if we take things literally.) The lyric kindly explains all as we watch:
“We’ve got Shirley fixin’ breakfast. Wake up Keith!
Keith is turnin’ over. Wants to sleep. Wants to sleep.”
David and his pyjamas love that cracklin' Rice
These ads must have been filmed after the first Partridge Family season (1970) because we see Brian Forster as Chris Partridge, the replacement drummer for Jeremy Gelbwaks. 1972 or ’73 is my guess. Enjoy a bowl.
Well, hello folks. Welcome to Bionic Disco’s first semi-official day on the web. We’ve been hiding behind closed doors brewing up the 70s goodness and the time has finally come to launch ourselves into public view.
Welcome to Bionic Disco!
Start digging around the pop museum here at the ‘Disco and you’re sure to unearth some funny, frightening and fanciful memories of the 1970s. Bookmark us and return often for a hearty dose of whimsical (and occasionally meaningful) flashbacks.
To get you off to a roaring start – why not feed your Pet Rock, soak up some long lost TV with Holmes & YoYo or sing along with the Bay City Rollers? Have fun you turkeys! Haha – you’re so moted!
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
