Dec 4, 2021
Gram Parsons called country rock Cosmic American Music; it was a little of this and a little of that, combined into a musical stew that today we call Americana. In the 70s, though, the marriage of rock and country, complete with the steel guitar and perhaps a banjo or two, seemed like an unlikely marriage. The truth is...
Aug 8, 2021
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...
Apr 25, 2021
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...
Mar 10, 2021
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...
Jan 23, 2021
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...