Welcome to the Backstage Blog. Please scroll down for the latest up-to-date posts.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 1

GREETINGS

Hello ’70’s music fans, and welcome to Backstage, the place where the inner circle here at That ’70’s Night hang out and talk shop, musing on the makings of That ’70’s Night as it gears up and eventually spreads the ’70’s music gospel from coast-to-coast, sea to shining sea. And as we all heed the calling to take That ’70’s Night wherever its fans may be, I invite you to get involved and become That ’70’s Night Ambassadors and Evangelists, helping build the fervor and amp the buzz up! Keep it tuned here for my ongoing diary of thoughts and activities and also be sure to enjoy the That ’70’s Night YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/that70snight where I am posting all kinds of groovy ’70’s music videos on a regular basis, including our must-see Promo Video. No doubt, I am anxious to hear from you and your thoughts as we embark on this adventure together and continue to build anticipation for the big launch in Chicago this September, so please don’t hesitate to chime in and help fire up the great conversation! ~Mark

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 2

IN MEMORY

Now just a few days following the deaths of Michael Jackson and Charlie’s hottest Angel, Farah Fawcett, I thought it would be appropriate to recognized those who made their musical mark on the decade but are no longer with us. Not only should this put That ’70’s Night into a broader historical perspective, but also enlighten those who may have not heard about the greats who have sadly passed away. So without further adieu, here is our list in no particular order:

-John Lennon (Beatles)
-George Harrison (Beatles)
-Linda McCartney (Wings)
-Bob Marley
-Michael Jackson
-Jim Morrison (Doors)
-Brad Delp (Boston)
-Freddie Mercury (Queen)
-John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
-Marc Bolan
-Tommy Bolin
-James Brown
-Marvin Gaye
-Barry White
-Curtis Mayfield
-Jerry Garcia
-Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
-Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd)
-Keith Moon (The Who)
-John Entwistle (The Who)
-Steve Marriott (Small Faces)
-Ronnie Lane (Small Faces/Faces)
-Mick Ronson (Bowie/Mott the Hoople)
-Pete Ham (Badfinger)
-Tom Evans (Badfinger)
-Maurice Gibb (Bee Gees)
-Andy Gibb
-Joe Strummer (The Clash)
-Curtis Mayfield
-Isaac Hayes
-Joey Ramone (Ramones)
-Rick James
-Jim Croce
-Bon Scott (AC/DC)
-Lonesome Dave Peverett (Foghat)
-John Glascock (Jethro Tull)
-Eddie Kendricks (Temptations)
-David Ruffin (Temptations)
-Melvin Franklin (Temptations)
-Paul Williams (Temptations)
-Harry Chapin
-Warren Zevon
-Frank Zappa
-John Panozzo (Styx)
-Jeff Porcaro (Toto)
-Terry Kath (Chicago)
-Miles Davis
-Boz Burrell (King Crimson/Bad Company)
-Lowell George (Little Feat)
-Gary Thain (Uriah Heep)
-David Byron (Uriah Heep)
-William Powell (The O’Jays)
-Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
-Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
-Cassie Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
-Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynrd)
-Leon Wilkeson (Lynyrd Skynrd)
-Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynrd)
-Peter Sweval (Looking Glass/Starz)
-Steve Peregrine Took (T.Rex)
-Jimmy McCulloch (Wings)
-Wells Kelly (Orleans)
-Delaney Bramlett
-Van McCoy
-John Denver
-Rick Nelson
-Jeff Buckley
-Nick Drake
-Paul Kossoff (Free)
-Jaco Pastorius
-Sid Vicious
-Elvis Presley
-Johnny Cash
-Karen Carpenter
-Nicky Hopkins
-Toy Caldwell (Marshall Tucker)
-Tom Fogerty (Creedence)
-John McGeoch (Magazine)
-John Martyn
-Ian Dury
-Vicki Sue Robinson
-B.W. Stevenson
-Linda McCartney
-Minnie Riperton
-Ricky Wilson
-Fela Kuti
-Stiv Bators
-Johnnie Taylor
-Mama Cass Elliot
-Carl Radle (Eric Clapton)
-Don Myrick (Earth Wind & Fire)
-Brent Mydland (Grateful Dead)
-Keith Godcheaux (Grateful Dead)
-Randy California (Spirit)
-Lester Bangs
-Darell Sweet (Nazareth)
-John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service)
-Dennis Wilson (Beach Boys)
-Steve Marriott
-Peter Tosh
-Darby Crash
-Tim Hardin
-Robbie McIntosh (Average White Band)
-Duane Allman
-Berry Oakley (Allman Brothers Band)
-Steve Clark (Def Leppard)
-Miles Davis
-Gram Parsons
-Felix Pappalardi (Mountain)
-Richard Manuel (The Band)
-Billy Jones (Outlaws)
-Frank O’Keefe (Outlaws)

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 3

REMEMBER THE FUTURE

“History, in brief, is an analysis of the past in order that we may understand the present and guide our conduct into the future.” -Sidney E. Mead

“History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future.” -Robert Penn Warren

“We can be almost certain of being wrong about the future, if we are wrong about the past.” -C. K. Chesterton

“The value of history is that it teaches us what man has done and thus what man is.” -R. G. Collingwood

“The only thing new in the world is the history you don’t know.” -Harry S Truman

“History proves nothing because it contains everything.” -Emil Cioran

“Life must be lived forward, but it can only be understood backward.” -Søren Kierkegaard

WHEN WE ARE YOUNG, we are often not concerned with history; we are too busy making it. But as one ripens with age, we become increasingly aware of how the past illuminates the future. Indeed, this seems particularly true when it comes to music of the Seventies. As we fast approach the 2010’s one may understand the value of today’s musical culture as well as fuel the promise of things to come by simply looking back to the ’70’s.

“Get back, get back
Get back to where you once belonged”
-The Beatles

Saying that a journey back to the Seventies is a step forward for music as a whole does say a lot coming from me. As someone who has been immersed in music as a full-time obsession and career since I was a teen, someone who as DJ, designer, promoter, journalist, producer, etc., has been a futurist, trendsetter and scene-maker with his finger on the pulse of the next new thing, it really is quite a statement.

Yet with That ’70’s Night it’s all becoming quite clear. Now is the perfect historical moment for the music of the Seventies to re-emerge and be re-appreciated. There’s no argument that Seventies music represents a very special blossoming of sounds, sights, personalities and creative talent. Make no doubt that with That ’70’s Night you will know the true power of the Seventies through the very best Seventies music experience ever.

For more, please read my Producer’s Note!

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 4

MOVIN’ ON UP

“Just move on up
And keep on wishing
Remember your dreams
Are your only schemes
So keep on pushing”
-Curtis Mayfield

Windows of opportunity and the inventions of necessity have converged at Riva Entertainment where we are proud to announce our new address on the lakefront in Chicago’s South Loop where we are setting up a studio, office and residence on the 16th floor of 1600 Museum Park.

On the tracks at the base of the beautiful Museum Park Campus, the building gives us unprecedented views and access to Chicago’s piers, parks, harbors, stadiums, aquarium, museums, and planetarium right off Lake Shore Drive and Roosevelt. For more details, please click here.

As we unpack and get plugged in we are looking forward to a very active summertime where we will put the finishing touches on That ’70’s Night in anticipation for our big September Back To School Reunion here in Chicago!

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 5

PEOPLE CELEBRATE THE SEVENTIES

Yet another sign that The Seventies Revival is growing by the day… Light up your lava lamp, grab your double-knit flares and get ready to hustle, the new special edition of PEOPLE revives the amazing ’70’s and all it’s glory. Check it out here!

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 6

ROCKIN’ ’70s REUNION TO ROCK YORK’S CLASS OF ‘79

I’m very excited to announce that we will be bringing the Rockin’ ’70s Reunion experience to my York High School’s Class of 1979’s 30th Year Reunion. Taking place on Saturday, November 14th of this year, the big event is expected to bring around 300 of the class of ’79’s finest to Fitz’s Lanes in Elmhurst, Illinois (formerly Seven Ten Lanes). For information on how you can rock your ’70’s Class Reunion, give us a shout at 312.237.6635 or email us at that70snight@gmail.com.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 7

OLD BANDS SIMPLY “WAY COOLER” THAN NEWER GROUPS

A new poll at NRB reveals something so many of us Boomers have known is true - the classic bands and artists are the best. Asking people between the ages of 15 and 36 to compare new music to older music, a whopping seventy-five percent of them favored the music of the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 8

TRUE STORIES BEHIND FAMOUS BAND NAMES

Researchers into the origins of classic band names will appreciate this excellent story at Cracked. Included in their list is Cheap Trick and Led Zeppelin, described as “a British rock band who in the 70s repeatedly and flagrantly rocked the world so fucking hard that scientists can still detect residual vibrations in the Earth’s mantle to this day.” The source of Steely Dan’s infamous name also is revealed: “The phrase is taken from a passage in the William Burrough’s book Naked Lunch. Steely Dan is the nickname given to a giant steam-powered dildo.”

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 9

MUSICIANS PREDICTING OWN DEATHS IN SONG

Also of interest at Cracked is this curious little story which includes Jimi Hendrix, Lynyrd Skynyrd and John Lennon.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 10

ORIGINAL H.R. COVER ART FOR ELP’S BRAIN SALAD SURGERY STOLEN IN PRAGUE!

Although this news flash is about five years late, it is still timely. The two original world famous H.R. Giger paintings for Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s Brain Salad Surgery (the first album I ever bought), have been lost, or most likely stolen. They were last seen during the artist’s 2005 retrospective at the National Technical Museum of Prague. Despite claims to the contrary by the organizers of the exhibition, PP Productions of Prague, the paintings were NOT returned to H.R. Giger after the closing of the show on August 31, 2005. It is believed they are still in the Czech Republic. A reward of $5,000 for each painting, plus an all expenses paid weekend at the H.R. Giger Museum, Chateau St. Germain, in Gruyeres, Switzerland will be awarded to the individual supplying the information leading to their successful recovery.

Giger, the acclaimed Swiss surrealist, is also the creator of the terrifying life forms and their otherworldly environment in the film classic ALIEN, for which he received an Oscar in 1980.

For more information, please go here.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 11

AEROSMITH SYNCHRONICITY

You just know there’s a aura of success around That ’70’s Night when things like this start happening… Yesterday morning (Sunday August 2nd) I was working on the visuals for the show and randomly came across some fantastic pictures of ’70’s rock icons, Aerosmith at a website called Backstage Gallery. Soon after, I was invited by a friend to check out the Gold Coast Art Fair, a Chicago tradition for over 50 years. It was a beautiful sunny day and I enjoyed the many colorful sights and sounds. As we stood on the corner to leave, we spotted a guy wearing red shoes across the street. As he stood on his corner with a lovely blond-haired woman on his arm I kept thinking “who is this dude”? When the signal flashed and we started walking by each other I noticed it was none other than Joey “Krame Dog” Kramer, Aerosmith’s drummer! How’s that for synchronicity? Kramer’s new autobiography “Hit Hard,” by the way just happens to have just hit the shelves, and it’s a damn good one.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 12

AEROSMITH PT. 2

Oddly enough, now Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler is in the news having experienced a spill onstage resulting in injuries that have ended their current summer tour. Read all about it here.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 13

AUGUST UPDATE

Hope you are all enjoying the summer. With the great weather finally here, I certainly have been spending far too much time indoors at the computer, but with the clock ticking there has been so much to get done as part of our ramp-up process up for a September launch, I have had no choice. No doubt, everything involved in the production has truly been a labor of love that will soon to yield a lot of fruit come the harvest days.

I’m excited to give you a fresh news bulletin on That ’70’s Night as it stands right now. Things are really coming together and there is a lot of new things for you to check out. In terms of essential marketing and communications materials, I’m pleased to announce the completion of the That ’70’s Night media kit containing two key files:

1) A dazzling multimedia introduction to That ’70’s Night complete with a visual showcase of each artist and song that will be played set to a high-energy soundtrack that captures the essence and spirit of The Mix. This is now available to be viewed on our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/That70sNight.

2) A comprehensive 24-page promotional guide which will soon be transformed into the official That ’70’s Night program that will be given out to all attendees as both a informative reference guide and unique piece of memorabilia.

OK, on to what’s next: Now that we’ve got the promo kit done, we’re ready to approach the venues we think would be best suited for us. My goal is to set up meetings next week and have a deal cut by no later than Monday, August 24th. With that done, we’ll then launch into a month-long marketing campaign in anticipation for a September 23rd or 24th debut, fueled by a mix of street promotion, flyer distribution, email and online social networking, PR, local print and radio advertising, and extensive word-of-mouth buzz.

That’s the latest scoop. As you can see, we are on a roll and picking up steam. I promise to get back to you all with the big news soon !

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 14

CELEBRATING WOODSTOCK

It was 40-years ago this month that the Woodstock Festival rocked the world. The anniversary of this historic event has been commemorated by the CD box sets, The Woodstock Experience and Woodstock: 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur’s Farm, Ang Lee’s upcoming Taking Woodstock movie, and the new Woodstock.com, which is both the official site for Woodstock and a social network where you can interact with the community, get concert recommendations, share concert pictures, video and reviews and talk about the issues that are important to you.

Highly recommended is History Channel’s excellent Woodstock Now & Then, a documentary which “explores the frenzied days leading up to the festival, from how the planners scrambled to find a concert site and the traffic jams that shut down the New York State Thruway to the notorious “brown acid” to the thunderous rain and mud and, of course, the music. Weaving together first-hand accounts with rare archival images and an iconic soundtrack, the documentary allows those who were there a chance to relive the experience and gives an entirely new generation an opportunity to feel the magic of that time. The film will also take an important look at Woodstock’s legacy through the eyes of today’s musicians and activists, examining why Woodstock and all it symbolizes is still relevant in today’s culture.”

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 15

IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT VENUE

It’s been an exciting week so far, one revolving around the pivotal task of finding the all-important home for That ’70’s Night’s debut from a wish list that includes everyone from intimate spots such as Reggies and District to biggies like Lasalle Power Company, Cubby Bear and Joe’s Bar to icons Hard Rock and House of Blues. With our phone calls, faxes and emails well-received, we’re confident we’ll nail be nailing down a space soon. Stay tuned for details!

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 16

MUSINGS ON THE MIX, part 1

Now that we’ve posted the official That ’70’s Night music program, allow me tell you a little about the underlying programming philosophy that shaped it. Formatting-wise (what goes into the mix), we’ve proudly crafted an artisan blend packed with panache, attitude, character and style. Beyond the many years of collecting, listening to, and working with this music as a DJ, months upon months of painstaking distillation were required in assembling the final 7-hr. mix from an original 24-hr. master playlist. As you can imagine, there’s no throw-away’s here, no meaningless filler or fluff. Every song truly matters in this no-nonsense melange consisting of half rock music (classic, power pop, prog, and metal) and the other half, a satisfying synthesis of pop, soul, funk and disco.

In essence, like The Midnight Special, the popular 1970’s live concert television series, That ‘70’s Night’s ultimate goal is to be representative of the best of the entire spectrum of music from the 1970’s. As such, it is not a “disco night,” but a celebration of all the styles of music that were popular during the decade. It is not a Boogie Nights or Polly Esthers, part 2. That’s all been done and had it’s day, I’m glad to say. For too long the nightlife world as been stuck in a revivalist straight-jacket, keeping the ’70’s alive as a one-dimensional parody of itself. I know, clubs are for dancing and the dancing urge is quickly satisfied by the infectious throbbings of disco. But a decade later I believe we’ve all taken enough steps back to see the bigger picture: there is so much more to the ’70’s than Abba and Saturday Night Fever, and so much to be said for bringing all the music cultures together into one happy family, just the way things used to be before the tyranny of hyper-segmentation engulfed us.

This kind of free-form approach to DJing for which the ’70’s were famous is a lost art that That ’70’s Night will no doubt revive in a big way. Yet, just because this revival will bring together every kind of genre, not just disco, doesn’t mean it won’t offer up a killer dance party. On the contrary, expect nothing less than a creative, well-thought-out fusion marked by ever-increasing energy and rhythm that ebbs and flows in all the right places; a beat-happy mix where every single song clicks into the next like a fine-tooled puzzle and fits each other like a velvet glove.

But we don’t stop there. There’s surely more to That ’70’s Night than just making you dance; something more than a genre-spanning smorgasbord full of variety. Be it though the broad, danceable amalgamation of sounds I’ve just described, if That ’70’s Night has one main center of gravity, one main orientation, one distinguishable tendency, it is the tendency to rock.

Part 2 coming soon!

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 17

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY PHIL LYNOTT

Philip Parris Lynott (20 August 1949 - 4 January 1986) of Thin Lizzy was more than just a great bass player, singer, songwriter and poet. He was the quintessential rock star, with a rags to riches, poverty to plenty story and an inspiration to everyone who met him. He played with style, humor and cool, underpinned with the hint of violence. Celebrate the life of this rock legend tonight at Martyrs with Tin Lynott - playing songs from Phil’s entire career - over 3 hours of Thin Lizzy. Special guests Chris Siebold, Mike Vanier, Geoff Benge, Larry Beers and many others.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 18

THAT ‘70′S NIGHT TO DEBUT AT REGGIES 9/17

With its funky ’70’s rock motif and artsy roadhouse vibe, complete with a great audio-visual system, vintage 8-track tapes on the walls, a rock club, and its own record store, Reggies Music Joint will be the perfect setting for That ’70’s Night’s Chicago debut on Thursday, September 17th at 7:00pm. Please mark your calendars for what will surely be history in the making. For more details, see our official invitation here. More about Reggies below.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 19

THE QUINTESSENTIAL ’70’s PARTY, part I

Waking on the 31st of August we find ourselves just 18 short days away from That ’70’s Night’s Chicago premier. As I sit here on this cool Monday morning at 7:15am, the sun is rising over the lake and shooting a glowing spotlight through the clouds onto the waters before my eyes. Sipping the first espresso of the day and glancing over the list of all the things that need to happen before the doors open on Thursday, September 17th, I must say it’s a wake-up call. Well, I think I need a song, something peppy to set the mood and get me in the groove… hmmmm, ah yes, how about Chicago’s “Old Days.”

Old days
Good times I remember
Gold days
Days Ill always treasure
Funny faces
Full of love and laughter
Funny places
Summer nights and streetcars
Take me back
To a world gone away
Boyhood memories
Seem like yesterday

Oh, the old days… now that’s a song that captures the spirit of the good times to come on our wild night of ’70’s delight. Just between you and me, it’s about time we all got together and did something like this and did it in a big way. Wouldn’t you agree?

Looking over the many details of the show, I realize there’s much I haven’t shared with you yet that I’d like to now, from things that really set this event apart from anything else I’ve ever done or seen to tips on how to make the most of the overall experience to how you can help build the buzz needed to get the word out and the house packed. Yes, as a one-man production-promotion department, I am depending on the good graces of folks like you to make it all happen. In all, I’d have to say there are five actions I hope to instill in the community of people that is building around this night. Here they are:

1) Get psyched: Tell everyone you know and meet about That ’70’s Night and invite them to come and Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo.

2) Pitch in: Join us as a volunteer assistant and lend us your unique personality, unstoppable energy and much-needed expertise.

3) Show up in ’70’s style: Break out your ’70’s clothes. Hit the vintage stores. Rock your best ’70’s style. Shine up the custom Chevy van, pop in the 8-track and Move It On Over.

4) Have a good time: First and foremost, this is a celebration. So eat, drink, dance, be merry. Be social, meet new friends, make the scene and make this a happening you won’t forget. Remember, you bring the party and this is a party catering to you and all the other fun people like you.

5: Repeat 1-4: The party really doesn’t stop there. As the song goes, “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends.” We’re just getting warmed up for Part II in October for what will be a very special ’70’s Halloween indeed. So, let your positive word-of-mouth do its thing and let the world know how great That ’70’s Night was and how it will be even better the next time around.

Can you dig it brothers and sisters? If you’re a lover of ’70’s music and culture like I believe you are, then following these 5 easy steps should be super-natural. Out of the bunch, #2 is where there’s a lot of options for pitching in and getting involved. As you can imagine, the more people who can assist the more we can all take advantage of the potential resources at our disposal and make the party that much better, so drop me an email, tell me a little about yourself, and get in the mix.

Alright, on to my next subject: Why Reggies? With the rising South Loop still being Chicago’s best-kept secret, there’s a good chance you may not have heard of Reggies before, so I want to give you the scoop. Housed in a former automotive shop, Reggies sits on South State Street just 1 block from Cermak and the Chinatown Redline and right around the corner from other happening South Loop hot spots The Shrine and Cuatro. As mentioned in my previous post, Reggies is truly a gem of a place with a funky ’70’s rock motif complete with vintage 8-track tapes on the walls, a separate live music venue, and its own record store called Record Breaker’s.

What else? Reggies has classic rock albums inlaid into their table tops. They also use these albums as the canvas for their menus too, and their exposed brick walls are covered with nothing other than framed artwork of all the ’70’s greats, from AC-DC to Zeppelin. How perfect is that? Also, all over the walls are a ton of flat screen TV’s, so essential for the visual dimension of That ’70’s Night. All in all, the joint is full of character and a vibe that can only be described as pure laid-back cool. With this kind of atmosphere, it’s not surprising Reggies feels like a second home to a very diverse and exciting melting pot of flavors, styles and personalities that the South Loop is known for.

Now, if you want to get over to Reggies and check it out before That ’70’s Night there’s no better way than their 2 Year Anniversary party on Tuesday, September 8th. Starting at 7pm, Reggies will be presenting free shows by 10 different bands in both the bar and venue, plus offering up free food and $3 you-call-it drinks all night long. How’s that for an invitation? Check out reggieslive.com for all the details. Another way to get a taste of the South Loop before That ’70’s Night is the with upcoming Bash on Wabash on Sat. 9/15 and Sun. 9/16 on S. Wabash St. between 13th and 14th Streets.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 20

THE QUINTESSENTIAL ’70’s PARTY, part II

The Countdown to Ecstasy has begun. Each day that passes is another day to look back and see the major strides this production is taking as we move towards our premier just 17 days from now. Yesterday was no different as we hit the ground running and made a splash. A few highlights include establishing our new Amazon.com Guides to the Ultimate ’70’s Music Mix, part I and Ultimate ’70’s Music Mix, part II. Both feature The Mix as a hyper-linked list that leads you right to the corresponding album on Amazon. In the process, these handy, informative guides give That ’70’s Night a strong presence on what is currently the 34th most popular site on the Internet. Other important things accomplished included sending our press release to every major Chicago media outlet, reaching out to a handful of local radio stations in an effort to find a dedicated promotional partner, continuing discussions with Lasalle Power Company about holding future That ’70’s Night’s there, and posting a Craiglist ad for an dynamic intern assistant and a great photographer to shoot our events.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 21

THE QUINTESSENTIAL ’70’s PARTY, part III

In an effort to give you a big picture overview of the premier of That ’70’s Night, here are more of the details.

-Lady Jack: A passionista and performing artist who delights in all things demanding red lipstick and a top hat, Lady Jack will be gracing the That ’70’s Night stage with a series of contemporary Burlesque and dance performances set to the following songs:

-Pick Up The Pieces by Average White Band (approx. 9:30pm)

-Superstition by Stevie Wonder (approx. 10:30pm)

-Lady Marmalade by Labelle and Jungle Boogie by Kool and the Gang (approx. 11:30pm)

-Spill the Wine by Eric Burdon and War (approx. 12:30pm)

-What To Wear: Though not a requirement, dressing as your favorite ’70’s music star for That ’70’s Night is highly encouraged. Check out The Mix to see who you most resemble then get together a retro ensemble and strut your funky stuff. One of the very best spots for ’70’s fashions is Beatnix on 3400 N. Halsted St. just north of Belmont (773.281.6933). This is where my staff and I picked up our fabulous gear; platforms, bell bottoms, wigs, glasses, accessories, Beatnix has it all. So head on over there or wherever and put it all together for this and all the monthly That ’70’s Night parties to come, not to mention the big Halloween season right around the corner.

-Lip Sync / Air Guitar / Air Bands: Glam rocker, soul brotha, or disco queen, now that you’re looking hot in your best ’70’s outfit, the next step is to bring out your inner entertainer. For That ’70’s Night, everyone will be invited to step into the spotlight and live out their musical fantasy on stage twice an hour from 10pm to 1am with lip sync, air guitar, or air band performances. All performers will receive either a ticket for one of the four Ty-Ku cocktails we are featuring at the bar or $5 in Reggie Bucks for their efforts. We have designated specific songs each hour for this purpose, they are:

10:00 to 11:00
After Midnight: Eric Clapton
Tush: ZZ Top
Move It On Over: George Thorogood
Ramblin’ Man: The Allman Brothers Band
Stayin’ Alive: Bee Gees
YMCA: Village People

11:00 to 12:00am
Dancing In The Moonlight: King Harvest
Kodachrome: Paul Simon
American Girl: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Paranoid: Black Sabbath
Easy Livin’: Uriah Heep
Schools Out: Alice Cooper
For The Love Of Money: The O’Jays
Fire: The Ohio Players
Fame: David Bowie

12:00 to 1:00
We’re An American Band: Grand Funk
Money: Pink Floyd
Dancing Queen: ABBABest Of My Love: The Emotion
We Are Family: Sister Sledge

If you are interested in being a performer, please sign up at our head table by the front door as soon as you arrive. All participants must be assembled on the side of the stage 5 minutes before their song begins.

-Music Trivia: Starting at 8pm until 12am, I will be asking two music trivia questions per hour. The first person to come to the stage with the correct answer will receive either a ticket for one of the four Ty-Ku cocktails we are featuring at the bar or $5 in Reggie Bucks.

-Reggies Bar & Grill: Reggies serves great comfort food all day long including the best wings in town, woodfire grilled sandwiches, and homemade TV dinners. Their menu’s are actual vinyl records from the ’70’s. You can’t beat their killer burgers served with extra-large hand-cut french fries. On the drink side, choose from 70 beers on hand, including 25 eclectic drafts on tap. Cocktail-wise, pick your pleasure from their fully stocked bar including premium whiskey’s, vodka’s, and tequila’s.

-Drink Specials: That ’70’s Night is very pleased to have Ty-Ku Asian Citrus Liqueur as its sponsor for the evening. Everyone is invited to enjoy any of four Ty-Ku cocktail creations or a straight-up Ty-Ku shot for only $4 all night long. These special drinks have been named after some of the songs in The Mix, they are:

1) The Kung Fu – TY KU & Lemonade

2) Free Bird – TY KU & Soda

3) Green Eyed Lady – TY KU & Sprite

4) Lady Marmalade – TY KU, Cranberry, and a splash of Peach Schnapps

Also on special for the evening will be Pabst Blue Ribbon Tall Boys, the classic blue-collar brew and hipster favorite weighing in at 24 ounces for only $2.50.

-Reggies Rock Club: Performing on the night of That ’70’s Night in Reggies Rock Club, the larger music venue to the south of the Music Joint, will be a trio of funky R&B Hip Hop acts: H20 Soul, The Primeridian, and Nizm.

-Record Breaker’s: Crowning Reggie’s music empire is their Record Breaker’s record haven which will be featuring a 10% discount on all ’70’s music the day and night of That ’70’s Night. The store has a huge selection of hard to find new and used Vinyl, CD’s, DVD’s, and 45’s. Tons of T-Shirts, Posters, Hats, Stickers, and assorted memorabilia round out what is considered one of the best indie rock shops in Chicago.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 22

LOGGINS & MESSINA ROCKS RAVINIA

Last night, the reunited L&M gave a packed Ravinia crowd an impressive night of music and showmanship. The boys and their jamming band played all the classic songs as good or better than they did back in the ’70’s. Everyone was in fine form across the board and brought the crowd to their feet on hits like Angry Eyes, Vahevala and Your Mama Don’t Dance, among others. In addition to the strong voices and beautiful harmonies, highlights for me were Kenny soulfully leading us through the gospel-like sign-a-long on Peace of Mind, Jimmy’s tasty guitar work, plus all the extended solos we were treated to, including a dazzling dueling saxophone trade-off on one number. I kept thinking just how timeless their unique brand of American rock music was, a refreshing jazz-infused sound spiced with a wide variety of influences and flavors that only these two could produce. More than just a nostalgia act for a quick buck, it really feels like L&M are still a relevant force with something meaningful to say some thirty years later. This is a duo I would love to see put out some new material to validate my claim and I hope it will happen soon. Also, a big shout out to all the cool people I met and invited to That ’70’s Night throughout the evening. I  passed out some 250 invitations and had some fun interactions and conversations along the way. It was cool to see all of the surprised looks on their faces as I told them that this was an event designed just for them and I expect we’ll be seeing many of those folks on our opening night and beyond.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 23

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOBBY SKAFISH

Let’s all toast Chicago radio icon Bobby Skafish, who will be celebrating his birthday on the same day That ’70’s Night premiers, Thursday, September 17th. The music aficionado is currently presiding over the afternoon drive shift from 3-8pm on 97.1FM WDRV The Drive. A Chicago radio landmark for over 30 years who has worked the Chicago airwaves since late 1976, Skafish was a major influence on me as a young DJ in the early ’80’s, turning me on to all kinds of cool bands via his cutting-edge Big Beat show on WXRT, for instance. Today, Bobby is still is one of the most educated and entertaining DJ’s around and someone we would love to see at That ’70’s Night. Will he make an appearance? Well, we’ve offered to chauffeur him over in our custom ’70’s van stocked with his favorite drinks and some early Springsteen on the 8-track player, so stay tuned to this page for further news as it breaks.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 24

THAT ‘70′S NIGHT ROCKS REGGIES ON 09/17/09

Oh what a night it was! Many thanks to all of those people who showed their support and made our debut so awesome! A big shout goes out to Reggies and their expert staff, Bianca Berger and Ty-Ku for their sponsorship, dancer extraordinaire Lady Jack for her exciting performances, our small but mighty production team headed up by the lovely and talented  Stacy Gardner, plus all the ’70’s music fans who helped make the night truly fantastic!

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 25

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, part I

As we work behind the scenes to secure the perfect venue for Halloween, the stage is also being set for the unfolding of an ambitious fall schedule to be announced shortly. Our once-monthly stance seems to be giving way to the broader options found within a weekly format strategy. While the original “less is more” approach continues to have merits there also a lot to be said against putting our eggs in a single basket. At the same time, we don’t want over-saturation to dilute the The ’70’s Experience in the long run. The key is in the balance.

On one hand, the wisdom of limited editions increases anything’s value. Scarcity and exclusivity lends cachet and pump up buzz factors. It’s a cool way to present an event to look forward to versus one that is taken for granted. It’s like hearing a song we love too much. Once it hits heavy radio rotation it starts to looses luster. Too often when our pet indie band gets big they quickly fall out fashion. What a strange phenomenon. Here we find ourselves many years later listening to that same song which has now stood the test of time and become a classic, a timeless staple. Then we one day find that no matter how often we hear it, we are still moved. That’s the power of truly great music. It also has a lot to do with what seems to happen to us all over time. The nostalgic memories flow, the golden years return as we get a high on the uplifting music that our lives revolve around.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 26

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, part II

’70’s music will never fade away. Pure and simple. Get used to it. Embrace it. I came to this forgone conclusion late last year and I haven’t looked back since (no pun intended). And though this website already overflows with testament to why That ’70’s Night represents the Ultimate Seventies Music Experience, allow me to once again sing its high praises and continue to add color and texture to what is already one of the greatest collections of living art ever assembled, a monumental tribute to the music of the swinging ’70’s whose power and influence can only grow stronger each day. Retro revolution, classic rock resurrection, bell bottomed bliss, mobile musical history show, whatever you call it, as the world’s only immersive experience synchronizing 112 class-A, crème de la crème sonic gems with their own custom movie montages curated from an exhaustive visual archive of rarely seen images including tour books, merchandise, autographs, acetates, old handbills, bootlegs, newspaper ads, interviews, yes even will-and-testaments, That ’70’s Night is simply the biggest, baddest, most audacious ’70’s music event period; the largest, most dynamic multimedia exhibition of its kind ever assembled and presented to the public; a kick-ass, mind-blowing, larger-than-life flashback trip everyone must take sooner or later. Enough said.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 27

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, part III

Being a promoter of the music that continues to bring so much joy, soul, spirit and happiness to so many lives is a great honor and responsibility. Leveraging the authentic heritage and culture of the ’70’s music scene at this time in history and extending long-standing artists work into new generations is a nothing less than a labor of love. Meeting the challenge in a fresh and original way is exciting. Each song presented across The Mix is a biographical tribute, so the experience must be rich, comprehensive and chronologically accurate. There are stories in these grooves which the synchronized images bring exquisitely to life. But producing fantastic content is just the start. As any band, DJ or performer eventually finds out, there are many hats to wear in getting this content noticed and appreciated. Brand evangelist, financier, manager, presenter, ad man, and marketing strategist, to name a few. No matter how good we are, it takes a whole lot of patience, passion, optimism, energy, guts, persistence, and resilience to get a project or product out of the box and moving towards the top. As a one-man-with-a-dream operation, this is precisely what That ’70’s Night contends with each and every day. Keeping one eye on the big-picture-tour-the-world-and-change-the-world possibilities while simultaneously playing the hand we have been dealt, we just keep playing that rock n roll, putting one foot in front of the other, and trusting in the magic power of the music.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 28

ALLOW ME TO CLARIFY

That ’70’s Night is a multimedia extravaganza featuring a well-rounded blend of every popular music genre from the ’70’s. It is not a “disco night.” Nor is it an Afrodisiacs spin-off. While there are a ton of juicy funk and disco in The Mix the emphasis is not necessarily on the dance floor. It’s really more of a high-energy lounge experience, largely because of the visual dimension of The Show. While this is always complimented by a dance floor and cool lights, most people will be grooving and moving wherever they are and eventually get out on the floor to anything once they have had enough to drink. No doubt, everything is very rhythmically hot mixed just like club beats. And because the entire spectrum of ’70’s sounds is presented, there’s something for everyone. While the disco queens get up for We Are Family, the rockers do the same for Living After Midnight. In the end, we find the tattoo’d crowd bumping to Barry White and the divas that come in sequins banging away to AC-DC.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 29

HOW LED ZEPPELIN CHANGED THE MUSIC BUSINESS

In Led Zeppelin: Good Times, Bad Times, A Visual Biography of the Ultimate Band, compiled by rock photographer Jerry Prochnicky and Rolling Stone contributing editor Ralph Hulett, the lives of the members of the quintessential rock band are documented and captured from their Denmark debut in 1968 to their last performance in London 2007. Check out Fast Company’s multimedia review of the book with its many previously unreleased photos here.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 30

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN LENNON

“John will be remembered throughout history for his unique contribution, to art, music and world peace.”
-Paul McCartney

Born October 9, 1940, today is the birthday of John Winston Lennon, one of the most influential musicians and songwriters of all time. He would have been 69. Today around the globe, Lennon is being remembered by his fans across different generations. Wondering how you can celebrate this special day and pay your respect to one of the most legendary cultural icons of the 20th century? Check out the great Now Public list and this superb John Lennon Birthday Video on YouTube.

Also, enjoy these videos of some of my favorite solo Lennon songs:

-Mind Games

-#9 Dream

-Instant Karma

-Imagine (Live)

Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 31

ULTIMATE ‘70′S THEME HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

Part 1: FRIDAY 10/30/09 @ RISQUE CAFE in Lakeview

Part 2: SATURDAY 10/31/09 @ UNION PARK LOUNGE in the West Loop

Wow, Halloween is one of the biggest party nights around! America’s second largest commercial holiday (an estimated $6.9 billion spent annually), Halloween is our big chance to get a little crazy while celebrating the traditions of the harvest season that stretch back thousands of years. It is a great way to get into the spirit of play, pranks, superstition, religion and general naughtiness and fantasy. While traditional Halloween imagery draws from classic horror films with characters like vampires, ghosts, witches, werewolves, mummies, skeletons, and zombies, the decade of the ’70’s continues to be a reservoir of inspiration for Halloween that’s extremely rich in color, characters, and cliches. These sensational styles, popular trends, crazy crazes and funky fads have gained iconic status in time, giving us a vivid artistic palette to work with. So what better way to go ’70’s style this year than with Chicago’s only ’70’s Theme Halloween Weekend, 2 nights of bell bottom bliss starting with Friday the 30th at Risque Cafe in Lakeview and followed with Saturday the 31st at Union Park Lounge in the West Loop?

Both extravaganza’s turn up the Halloween heat with the hottest retro-chic parties in town. Dress as your favorite music star or celebrity, from decadent glam rockers and disco queens and everything in between. If you love all the flamboyant larger-than-life stars like Lennon, Elton, Freddie, Bowie, Jagger, Todd Rundgren, Marc Bolin, Bob Marley, Isaac Hayes, Michael Jackson, Abba and the Village People, etc. then you’re going to love this.

Get your tickets for the Open Bar Package at both locations from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Friday at Risque the package features classic ’70’s cocktails (Harvey Wallbanger, Sloe Comfortable Screw Up Against the Wall, Tequila Sunrise, Singapore Sling, and Sidecar), iconic ’70’s beers Miller High Life, Stroh’s, Blatz, Hamm’s and Pabst Blue Ribbon, plus all the standard call drinks. Complimenting the luscious libations will be an ultra-swanky cheese and chocolate fondue bar.

Open Bar Package tickets are for sale for just $25 at our Going.com website: http://going.com/that70snighthalloween!

The party opens at 7:00pm for the public with a fully-stocked no-host cash bar until 2:00am featuring the largest selection of American craft brews. There is no cover charge, so please arrive early and please enjoy responsibly.

Saturday at Union Park Lounge, the package includes all Smirnoff vodka, all Bacardi flavored rums, Captain Morgan, Jack Daniel’s, Miller and Budweiser draft products, well drinks and energy drinks. Tickets are just $25.

The party is open to the public starting at 7:00pm for a no cover cash bar featuring drink specials such as $20 Corona buckets (5) and $5 margaritas, plus a low price menu including the 8-oz sirloin burger for only $7.

For party package tickets, please see: http://going.com/that70snighthalloween2

These events also kick-off our new weekly That ’70’s Night on Friday’s at Risque Cafe and Saturday’s at Union Park. For more information, please contact us at that70snight@gmail.com or call (312) 237.6635!

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 32

COSTUME IDEAS & SHOPPING SPOTS

IDEAS

http://www.dressthatman.net

http://fashionabletv.wordpress.com

http://www.costumeideas.us/70s-costume-ideas.php

http://www.halloweenplayground.com/hippie-c-292.html

http://iamthechildofthemoon.blogspot.com/2008/06/bell-bottom-blues.htm

CHICAGO STORES

Amigos & Us
3223 N. Clark St.
(773) 281-1812

Land of the Lost
614 W. Belmont
(773) 529-4966

Chicago Costume
1120 W. Fullerton Ave.
(773) 528-1264

Chicago Costume
1514 W. Adams St.
(312) 491-1264

Strange Cargo
3448 N. Clark St.
(773) 327-8090

Hollywood Mirror
812 W. Belmont Ave.
(below Ragstock)
(773) 404-2044

Ragstock
812 W. Belmont Ave.
(773) 868-9263

Ragstock
1433 Milwaukee Ave.
(773) 486-1783

Beatnix
3400 N. Halsted St.
(773) 281-6933

Halloween Hallway
222 S Wabash Ave.
(773) 598-5507‎‎

Halloween Hallway
3415 N. Southport Ave.
(773) 598-5507

Fantasy Costumes‎
4065 N. Milwaukee Ave.
(773) 777-0222

We Are Halloween‎
900 S. Wabash Ave.
(312) 765-0229

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 33

GETTING PUMPED FOR THE BIG WEEKEND

Well it sure has been an exciting few weeks leading up our Halloween blow-out’s this weekend. On the ground we’ve been from the South Loop to the West Loop to Wrigleyville and everywhere in between spreading the ’70’s music gospel and building the buzz including stops at University Village, UIC, Michigan Avenue, Randolph and Fulton Market Districts, Bucktown, the Belmont-Clark-Broadway-Halsted corridor, and much more. All together, we’ve personally distributed 5,000 postcards with a lot of style and pizzazz, shaking thousands of hands and talking it up with passion. We’ve also worked the Internet and e-mail like it’s nobodies business, using all the tools and strategies these mediums offer and then some. By now, the word is definitely out and flowing as the masses gear up and decide what they will be doing. How many people end up coming is something only time will tell but right now we have to feel confident that being the only ’70’s themed game in town we stand a good chance of doing some brisk business. There’s no doubt that we are filling a big niche, not only for nightlife in general, but also specifically for Halloween. The beauty is that we are offering a custom musical theme that many people know, enjoy and can count on. Yes, there are many other parties out there but has any of them actually defined what their music will be? Everywhere I look there is a mention of a DJ, but no word on what they will actually play. In my mind that means most likely one can expect the typical generic blend of radio-friendly pop hits that every other bar and club is playing every weekend already. That means more of the same and nothing really unique and thematic. Sure, there will be some creative DJ’s that will throw in the Monster Mash and The Time Warp, but this will be just novel seasoning added to a entree largely made of up the predictable and pedestrian. Sure, the latest Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus ditties can be catchy but they are ultimately aural Kleenex, use once and dispose. These artists and their ilk are the Debbie Gibson’s of their era. Their ear candy will not stand the test of time. There will never be a “That 2000’s Night,” trust me. Thirty years from now if we are lucky to still have a planet to live on, this music will been long forgotten. But the ’70’s, as we know is another story. This is the decade when the majority of music’s enduring icons were at their creative peak and in their glory. If this is not evident to you yet, it will be this Halloween.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 34

COUNTING DOWN

We’re just 12 hours away from tonight’s show and though the rain keeps on falling we won’t let that rain on our ’70’s music parade. Rain or shine, costume or not, come on down to Risque Cafe and join the party. Even if it’s for a drink or two, you’re sure to get a taste of what made the ’70’s so great. Whatever you do, don’t reduce the decade down to a cliche. It really was was so much more than stereotypes. There’s tons of exciting and diverse icons to emulate. A slew of flamboyant characters that are ready-made for a Halloween revival. What songs will inspire your image? What cultural productions (TV shows, movies, etc.) are primed for sampling? What fads and fashion will spark inspiration? Here’s a list of essentials:

MUSIC STARS & CHARACTERS
David Bowie/Major Tom
Elton John/Bennie & the Jets
Carl Douglas/Kung Fu Fighting
Cher
Freddie Mercury
Marc Bolin of T-Rex
Rod Stewart
Keith Moon
The Isley Brothers
Bob Marley
Alice Cooper
The Bee Gees
Wolfman Jack
Todd Rundgren
The New York Dolls
The Tubes
Lou Reed
Iggy Pop
Blue Oyster Cult/Godzilla
Edgar Winter/Frankenstein

MOVIES & TV SHOWS
Shaft
Superfly
Star Wars
Tommy
Saturday Night Fever
Grease
American Grafitti
Towering Inferno
Godspell
Jaws
Foxy Brown
Mandingo
Cleopatra Jones
Coffy
The Exorcist
The Godfather
Poseidon Adventure
Apocalyspe Now
Annie Hall
Charlies Angel’s
Sesame Street
Scoobie Doo
The Banana Splits
James Bond
The Streets of San Francisco
The Waltons
Chips
Ironside
The Partridge Family
Starsky and Hutch
Dukes Of Hazzard
The Benny Hill Show
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
The Muppet Show
Bonanza
The Brady Bunch
Dallas
Charlie’s Angels
Little House on the Prairie
Doctor Who
Gunsmoke
Columbo
Kojak
All In The Family
Laverne & Shirley
The Odd Couple
Bewitched
Happy Days
Sanford and Son
Taxi
Benson
Mash

MOVIE STARS
Paul Newman
Robert Redford
Clint Eastwood
John Wayne
Burt Reynolds
Al Pacino
Woody Allen
Barbra Streisand

FASHION
Mood Rings
Bell Bottoms
Hot Pants
Platform Shoes
Earth Shoes
Clogs
Colorful Patches
Gypsy Dresses
Micro Mini Skirts
Leisure Suits

FADS & TRENDS
Disco Fever
Lava Lamps
Rubrik’s Cubes
Smiley Face
Pet Rocks
The Waterbed
The 8-Track
The Floppy Disc
The CB Radio
The Custom Van
Jiffy Pop
Kool-Aid
Space Food Sticks

PEOPLE & EVENTS
The Death of Elvis
The Beatles Breakup
Nixon/Watergate
First Earth Day
First Gay Pride March
Anti-War March
Jim Jones
Andy Warhol
Three Mile Island
Arab Oil Embargo
Patti Hearst
Pam Grier
Jesse Jackson
Mark Spitz
Pete Rose
Joe Namath
Billy Jean King
Bobby Riggs
Roberto Clemente
Mario Andretti

MORE IDEAS & LINKS

I Love the 70’s |  VH1’s tv documentary series, the 70’s year by year

Lyrics Database |  song lyrics, searchable by title

Music in the Public Domain |  Includes song lists - with links to some lyrics

Super Seventies Almanac |  music, news, and sports highlights, including the top singles, albums, movies and television shows for each year from 1970 through 1979

In the 70’s |  music, movies, TV shows and a whole lot more in this salute to the Seventies

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland |  neat site includes lots of rock history

Super Seventies RockSite |  Super site for 70’s music and culture

History of Rock Music |  Piero Scaruffi’s comprehensive look, including lots on the 70’s

The 70’s Preservation Society |  dedicated to the Music and Memories of the 70’s.”

Clothes of the Seventies | Descriptions and pictures of hundreds of clothing items of this decade, from “In the 70s.”

The 70s Disco Fashion & Costume History from Fashion-Era.com

Welcome to Bad Fads | 100 years of “bad fads” from  bell bottoms to pet rocks

Super 70s.com |  where the 1970’s never ended

70s Links |  great set links to everything 70’s - fads, fashions, entertainment, people, and events

Nostalgia Central |  “the premier internet guide to the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s”

Retro Nostalgic Skooldays |  A look back at the music, fashion, toys, fads, tv, movies and more, organized by decade

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 35

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

We’re back in the saddle again after a series of three events. Our Halloween parties were a hit and we have pictures to show on our new Photos page. The Rockin ’70s Reunion party for York High’s Class of ‘79 was also a smash as well as the launch of the Rockin’ Reunions division providing exciting audiovisual theme entertainment for the reunion world from the 60’s through the ’90s.

With our Rockin’ Reunions brand Riva Entertainment now serves the event marketplace with theme programming for the decades of the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Inspired with a rockin’ approach, Riva is also adding a new rock n’ roll concept event to its menu coming Spring 2010. Stay tuned.

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 36

R&R HALL OF FAME 25TH BASH

October 29th on HBO!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrates its 25th Anniversary with two groundbreaking concerts featuring U2, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Simon & Garfunkel, Metallica, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Crosby, Stills Nash & Friends and Eric Clapton along with Special Guests Set to Perform in Concert at Madison Square Garden.

Website: http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/rock-hall-25th-anniversary

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The inside scoop on our ongoing adventures… vol. 37

Coming soon!

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