There went the 70s
Pat Fule
Fule for Thought
For many years now, many movies, books, and stories have dealt with the “Good Old Days” of the 60s. But what about that neglected time period of the 70s? It seems to be the “poor cousin” of that earlier time period, and not many really pay attention to it. So, I thought I’d jar some memories and list some of the unique things that were a part of the 70s.
In other words, you were definitely a 70s kid if you remember:
– Disco (sadly, we do remember!)
– Snoot boots and Railway hats
– Hot Pants and Leisure Suits!
– David Cassidy and the Partridge Family
– The Hudson Brothers (So You Are a Star)
– Mustang bikes complete with a stick shift, a banana seat, and a high sissy bar!
– The Moon landings
– Paul Henderson and team Canada ‘72
– The Bay City Rollers and tartan pants!
– Hockey Night in Canada on Wednesday and Saturday nights (right after The Beverly Hillbillies!)
– KISS, ABBA, Boston, Fleetwood Mac, Meatloaf, Styx, Queen
– GI Joe WWII Action Figures, Johnny and Jane West, and Barbies, Major Matt Mason
– The Pig & Whistle Show, Buckshot and Benny the Bear, All In The Family, Charlie’s Angels
– Harvey Kirck and the National News, Viet Nam, Watergate, The FLQ Crisis
– The streaker at the Oscars and David Niven’s great one-liner!
– Pet Rocks, the Rubics Cube, Spirograph, Table Hockey Sets, Pong!
– Mens’ Permed hair, sideburns, and Mustaches!
– The Labour Day Classic and losing to the stupid Eskimo teams!
– The Sting, The Godfather, Jaws, American Graffiti, Apocalypse Now, and Star Wars!
– Keep on Truckin’, Mood Rings, Lava Lamps, and Strobe Lights
– Water Beds, Shag Carpets, Platform Shoes, and Roller Skates
– Etch a Sketch, Rock Em Sock Em Robots, Lite Brite, The Magic 8 Ball
– Hot Wheels and Match Box Cars
– Easy Bake Oven, Socks with toes, and 8 Tracks
– Muscle Cars, CB Radios and “Breaker Breaker”
– The Rocky Horror Picture Show
– Polyester, Nylon Jogging Suits, Nike runners appear!
– One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Young Frankenstein
– Space Invaders, Asteroids, Atari Computers (Thanks Radio Shack!)
– Mary Tyler Moore, Medical Center, M*A*S*H, Happy Days
– Silly String, Black Light Posters, “Go Bananas!”
– The Death of Elvis
– Bean Bag Chairs and Panelled walls
Well, there you have it, a short walk down Memory Lane, and we made it safely without a streaker, or someone burning a bra! The 70s were a unique and strange time. They were fun, but I’d rather not have some of those things come back now!
(“Fule for Thought” is a slice of life humourous column that appears in the Strathmore Times, written by long-time resident, town councillor, high school teacher, coach, husband and father of two – Pat Fule. If you would like to get in touch with Pat, you can send him an e-mail at Pat.fule@shaw.ca)