For the Record: The 70s

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Ep. 5 - Anti-Nixon Songs of the 70s Aug 08, 2021

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Songwriters of the 70s took on Richard Nixon the best way they knew how: with their music. Blaming music for drug use, the Kent State shootings, Watergate, and getting a pardon for "any crimes he may have committed" were all issues that inspired artists such as Jefferson Airplane, CSNY, The Honey Drippers, Stevie Wonder, and David Bowie. This episode discusses how music reflected the dissatisfaction and outright anger with President Richard Nixon, even beyond his resignation in August 1974.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

Ep. 4 - Music of the 70s (Sexual) Revolution Aug 04, 2021

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Did music help push the sexual revolution in the 1970s or was the music reflecting the changes in how society viewed sexuality? Music has always been used to sell sex but the message was delivered more directly in the 70s. The sexual revolution and music's role in it are explored using the music of Loretta Lynn, Led Zeppelin, The Archies (!), Marvin Gaye, Labelle, Donna Summer, and Patti Smith.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

Ep. 30 - The Sweet Sound of 70s Bubblegum Music Apr 25, 2021

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Bubblegum music was as beloved by its fans as it was maligned by critics. The 70s saw bubblegum of the 60s, such as "Sugar Sugar" by The Archies, morph into adoration of teen idols such as David Cassidy, Donny Osmond, and The Bay City Rollers. Still, the bubblegum formula worked for other pop hits, too, like "Rock Me Gently." In this episode we makes the case that bubblegum music was as good as any pop music that was recorded and even though some of the bubblegum bands were fake, the music was not. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

Ep. 29 - Every Little Thing is Gonna Be All Right: The Influence of 70s Reggae Mar 10, 2021

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Reggae may not have ever found a significant radio audience in America in the 70s, but its influence on pop and rock music is undeniable. This episode traces the beginning of reggae, borne out of the political strife of late-60s Jamaica, to the first real reggae hit in the U.S. by Blondie in 1981. Bob Marley was not all there was to reggae but he still stands as the most beloved artist of a genre that is both the product of music that came before it and the source of music that came after it. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

Ep. 28 - Soundtracks of the 70s Jan 23, 2021

Show notes

Movie soundtracks got better in the 70s as the creation of soundtracks became more intentional. Rather than simply compiling songs for an album and calling it a soundtrack, producers hired artists to create music that offered commentary and enhanced our understanding of characters. Soundtracks ranging from "Super Fly" to "Saturday Night Fever" were as successful if not more so than the movies they supported. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

Ep. 27 - That's Entertainment! TV Variety Shows of the 70s Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

The heyday of the TV variety show was, without a doubt, the 70s. It seemed as if every entertainer either had their own show or was on someone else's. While at the time they may have seemed a bit corny, they also seemed to be just what many Americans in the 70s were in the mood for in the wake of assassinations, Watergate, and the war in Vietnam. Looking back at the era, we can also see that these shows give us a glimpse into 70s culture, making them an important part of 70s history. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

Ep. 26 - Starmen: Glam Rock of the 70s Nov 09, 2020

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T. Rex, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, and Roxy Music were at the heart of 70s glam rock. This episode examines how glam stretched the boundaries of gender, sexuality, and how rock music was defined. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

Ep. 25 - The Hispanic Influence on 70s Popular Music Oct 04, 2020

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The Chicano Movement of the 60s and 70s and the growth of the Hispanic population in the U.S. influenced popular culture. Music was no exception. Artists ranging from Santana to Freddy Fender had successful careers in music in an era when Hispanic Americans sought more and better representation in the country's politics and culture. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

Ep. 24 - Loud, Louder, Loudest: 70s Heavy Metal Aug 29, 2020

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Heavy metal was outright despised by many rock critics but was much loved by its fans. There is no question that heavy metal is noted for its loud, often aggressive sound and persistent accusations of satanic message followed many of the bands of the Seventies, especially Black Sabbath. Were they really devil worshipers or just creating a brand? Either way, there is little doubt that rebellion, escapism, fantasy fueled heavy metal's popularity. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

Ep. 23 - Women of Country Music in the 70s Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

Why did more women sell country music and get more radio airtime in the 70s than today? Artists such as Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and even Olivia Newton-John made country radio friendly music in the midst of the women's rights movement of the 70s. Many of these singers were also able to cross over to pop. The momentum for women in country did not continue. This episode explores the many reasons for country music welcoming women in the 70s before its evolution to "bro country" in the years that followed. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amy-lively/message

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