Redartz: Welcome; time again for a trip back to that evocative era we call the Bronze age. For this episode, we aim our sights at the early Bronze, the heady days of Spring, 1971! If we only look at the headlines, we might be a bit troubled; serious times indeed: the war in Vietnam continues with heavy bombing of Laos and Cambodia, and the Charles Manson trial continues. Overseas, the UK has recently changed from the Pound to the decimal system.
Nevertheless, as Bronze Age- type babies ( apologies and a hat tip to Doug and Karen), we look with interest to the pop cultural goings-on. Your host, 10 years old at this date, is starting to enjoy hearing pop music on the school bus radio. Commonly heard lately, and on top of the US Billboard Chart:
Janis Joplin, "Me and Bobby McGee"
This week the Osmonds fall out of the top spot, giving Janis a posthumous number one single.
Rounding out the top five:
2. Tom Jones, "She's A Lady"
3. The Temptations, "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me}"
4. The Osmonds, "One Bad Apple"
5. The Carpenters, "For All We Know"
Also on the radio playlists currently are some other noteworthy tunes: Partridge Family, "Doesn't Somebody Want to be Wanted"- I'm an avid viewer of the show, and like their music too. My parents apparently approve, having given me their latest album as a gift! Marvin Gaye, "What's Going On- just a great song, with a great message. Santana, "Oye Como Va"-so catchy, I find myself dialing up and down the radio trying to find a station playing it. Lynn Anderson, "Rose Garden"- remarkably catchy. 5th. Dimension, "Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes"- I've liked the Dimension since hearing "Aquarius" a couple years previously. Marilyn McCoo has a truly phenomenal voice (even though 10-year-old me doesn't know who she is), and it's in fine form on this song. Love the imagery...
On top in the UK:
T Rex, "Hot Love"
And as we traditionally do, let's have a look at tonight's tv programming...
US Television Schedule:
ABC: Let's Make a Deal, The Newlywed Game, It Was a Very Good Year, The ABC Monday Night Movie
The game shows are one of the programs my parents allow me to watch; and both of these are seen at our house often. I suspect some of the humor on "Newlywed Game" goes over my head. Catchy theme music...
CBS: Gunsmoke, Here's Lucy, Mayberry R.F.D., The Doris Day Show, The Carol Burnett Show
Lucy, Mayberry and Doris are usually what our parents are watching. They don't care for the competition on NBC:
NBC: From a Bird's Eye View, Rowan &Martin's Laugh In, NBC Monday Night at the Movies
When the parents are away, our sitter lets us watch "Laugh-In". I love the show, but don't get to see it every week. Loaded with color, zaniness and topical humor, the show is unlike anything else I've seen. I particularly like Arte Johnson's "Verrrrrrry Interesting" German!
BBC1: Z Cars: 400th. Edition, Oh Brother!, Panorama, Doomwatch, Come Dancing, 24 Hours
BBC2: Crime & the Criminal, Newsroom, Lancer, Gentry, Horizon What Kind of Doctor?, Thirty Minute Theatre: No Charge for the Extra Service, Four With Betjamin Victorian Architects and Architecture
Of course, no trip aboard the Retro Metro would be complete without a field trip to the spinner racks. Our local drug store has a couple of them, and they are always full. Today we find these, among many others:
1971 found me buying mostly Archies, and "TV Laugh-Out" was a favorite: it had Sabrina! And I'd pick up some Charlton television comics, such as that "Partridge Family" book. Although I do recall noticing Jack Kirby's DC work, such as that Mr. Miracle issue. And a few years down the road, many of these comics would hold much more appeal to this reader. For instance, that classic Amazing Spider-Man issue; not code approved- Stan tackled the drug issue. Incidentally, it seems Neal Adams was everywhere at DC in '71. His covers were as common as Gil Kane's became at Marvel. And every one is a beauty.
Well, that's about it for this date in 1971 (besides, I have a 9:00 bedtime- better get back on the bus before my parents catch us). Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for the next Retro, coming up soon!