Reagan
Assassination attempts
Challenger explosion
Live Aid
Iran Contra
US Bombs Libya
Fall of Berlin Wall
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
70s Movies
The movie that best represents the 1970s is Star Wars. Star Wars was a one-of-a-kind movie that utilized all the new technology that became available at the time. Star Wars appealed to a younger demographic and was one of the first movies that was an actual blockbuster, reeling in tons of cash. It represented the 70s as an escape from the real world by creating a sci-fi world that people could relate too. It also represented the 70s' sentiment of needing a hero in their society, like Luke Skywalker is in Star Wars. Star Wars also reflected the corruption in government that is prevalent in the 70s through Nixon and Watergate and the Pentagon Papers. Star Wars proves to be an iconic movie that lives on forever and ever.
**Revised 70s music**
In the 1970s, punk was another genre of music that gained popularity at the time. This music was followed by kids who believed they were part of the "counter-culture". These were mostly middle-class white kids. Punk music was basically just angry screaming with anarchical messages. Anyone could do it, so people were forming punk bands left and right. The punk listeners felt that they were misunderstood by society and so wanted to be noticed in society by dressing radically different from everyone and wearing unique hairstyles. Through their music, they showed their discontent and disenchantment with the US government. These sentiments were probably on the basis of feeling lied to by the government through Watergate and other such scandals. Punk music eventually died out because of the inability and refusal of punk music to go mainstream.
The music of the 1970s also saw new developments in rock, country, R&B, and disco. In the 70s rock began to split into different sub-genres such as southern rock and heavy metal. Led Zeppelin became and remain wildly popular as an example of heavier rock. Lynyrd Skynyrd emerged as the classic example of southern rock, wielding a twangy guitar and catchy lyrics. All these rock artists elaborated on the developments made in the 60s: mostly good lyrics and guitar solos. Increased technology in the 70s also helped improved music recordings in general. Continuing with the folk movement in the 60s, singer/songwriters such as Elton John contribute to a softer type of rock with a sweet acoustic guitar and piano. I enjoyed almost all of these styles of 70s rock. Boston and the Eagles are two bands that I enjoyed the most. I liked how they had more of a focus on lyrics than bands such as Black Sabbath whose lyrics are questionable whether they are even saying words and the guitar is too gritty.
Country music also developed into calm crooners and rebellious outlaws. Willie Nelson led this outlaw country as he sings about whiskey and heartbreak. Country was never my favorite genre and this holds true for 70s country as well.
Disco, R&B, and soul served to provide people an escape from their everyday lives by providing songs that encouraged dancing and mostly focused on love and happiness. To add on to these 60s genres, funk was also added to the mix with hits such as "Dance to the Music" and "Play that Funky Music Whiteboy" which obviously encouraged dancing and focused on rhythm and bass much more than the actual lyrics. I enjoyed these songs that were upbeat and groovy.
In general, the music of the 70s expanded on the innovations of the 60's musicians and morphed to reflect the people's sentiments at the time. The heavy metal and punk that became prominent during this decade reflect the discontent and cynicism felt by much of the people during the time of Watergate and a untrustworthy government. On the other hand, funk and disco and R&B became popular because of the women's and minorities' recent victories in the field of civil rights. These groups were happy and showed it through their fun, upbeat music.
The music of the 1970s also saw new developments in rock, country, R&B, and disco. In the 70s rock began to split into different sub-genres such as southern rock and heavy metal. Led Zeppelin became and remain wildly popular as an example of heavier rock. Lynyrd Skynyrd emerged as the classic example of southern rock, wielding a twangy guitar and catchy lyrics. All these rock artists elaborated on the developments made in the 60s: mostly good lyrics and guitar solos. Increased technology in the 70s also helped improved music recordings in general. Continuing with the folk movement in the 60s, singer/songwriters such as Elton John contribute to a softer type of rock with a sweet acoustic guitar and piano. I enjoyed almost all of these styles of 70s rock. Boston and the Eagles are two bands that I enjoyed the most. I liked how they had more of a focus on lyrics than bands such as Black Sabbath whose lyrics are questionable whether they are even saying words and the guitar is too gritty.
Country music also developed into calm crooners and rebellious outlaws. Willie Nelson led this outlaw country as he sings about whiskey and heartbreak. Country was never my favorite genre and this holds true for 70s country as well.
Disco, R&B, and soul served to provide people an escape from their everyday lives by providing songs that encouraged dancing and mostly focused on love and happiness. To add on to these 60s genres, funk was also added to the mix with hits such as "Dance to the Music" and "Play that Funky Music Whiteboy" which obviously encouraged dancing and focused on rhythm and bass much more than the actual lyrics. I enjoyed these songs that were upbeat and groovy.
In general, the music of the 70s expanded on the innovations of the 60's musicians and morphed to reflect the people's sentiments at the time. The heavy metal and punk that became prominent during this decade reflect the discontent and cynicism felt by much of the people during the time of Watergate and a untrustworthy government. On the other hand, funk and disco and R&B became popular because of the women's and minorities' recent victories in the field of civil rights. These groups were happy and showed it through their fun, upbeat music.
70s music
Music during the 1970s was mostly dominated by disco which illustrated the uprising of the previously overshadowed groups in society: blacks, homosexuals, and women. Disco was most prominent in late-night clubs which additionally shows the escapism that is felt by the society of the time due to Vietnam and an unsatisfying government. The music in the 70s focused on catchy beats that people could dance to. Most of the music was about a DJ mixing records and not about the actual lyrics in the songs.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
70s TV Shows
"All In The Family" was a funny show that reflected the average family from the 1970s. Archie Bunker represented the older generation who was resistance to change and content with the government of the time. His son and daughter represent the discontented youth of the time who wanted a new and better government and had differing views on social problems. The treatment of Edith by Archie shows the typical objectification of women in the household.
"The Muppets" was a unique show that was entirely new during its time period. The absurdity and outlandishness of the show illustrates the 70s society's desire to escape from their current lives due to the Vietnam war and government incompetence. "The Muppets" also appealed to the culture of the time by featuring celebrities in every show, which attracted audiences of all ages.
"The Muppets" was a unique show that was entirely new during its time period. The absurdity and outlandishness of the show illustrates the 70s society's desire to escape from their current lives due to the Vietnam war and government incompetence. "The Muppets" also appealed to the culture of the time by featuring celebrities in every show, which attracted audiences of all ages.
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