Once upon a time, elementary school boys wore ties to school–natty ones which matched their hunter green socks. Global warming and aspartame had not caused ADD yet, so children sat perfectly still, carrying on conversations void of uncouth words. They were well-mannered and neither stood in the aisles nor threw spitballs at their bus drivers. Was this just a fantasy?
A generation later, the bus was brimming with free love, altered states, lewd bare arms, and sunglasses to disguise dilated pupils. One young man even attempted to punch his way through the roof in an ill attempt at a glass ceiling metaphor. I can smell the patchouli from here.
Confidence goes a long way toward getting chicks, and this lion’s-maned manmeat has it in spades–or checkers. The trousers can’t be Sansabelt because there is most definitely a belt, in all its gleaming white glory.
It’s such a shame that I was in cloth diapers when these handsome hotties from 1974 were swinging and single. How could a gal ever choose just one?
Those mutton chops, that ‘stache, the white groin pockets, the button fly–it all means business.
My stars, evidently the candy man can with his supersized camera. I feel like we caught him in the middle of a shuffle ball change.
All I know is he mixes it with love, and makes the world taste good.
Today’s installment could also be called “Ladies Under Trees.” Check out Pissy Chrissy on the far left.
Evidently this sorority did not allow curly-haired girls in. 1974 was the last season of “The Brady Bunch,” as evidenced by some very Jan & Marcia tresses.
It’s almost as though the photographer stumbled upon a gaggle of Breck girls in a strawberry field, rocking far-out peasant dresses and understated necklaces.
The gals of Alpha Kappa Alpha flashed their gams in mod mini-skirts. One appears to be confused as to where she should look. Perhaps a palm tree frond has lodged in her ear canal and she is experiencing sudden-onset vertigo.
Lisa Bonet did her best to stay discreet by posing in the back row, but the jig’s up, Lisa.
And so I leave you with this unshaven, sideboob image of Bonet. Ew!
The men of Omega Psi Phi (Sci-Fi?) are the living expression of Springsteen’s “Born To Run” lyrics: the boys try to look so hard. Okay, guys, we get it. You’re super tough, posing by the pool.
By contrast, the dudes of Alpha Gamma Rho seem pleased as punch.
Well, except for sullen “Mugshot” Paul and Ben “Armfarts” Kirsh, shown here. Word on the street was those patchy ‘burns were filled in with Sharpie pen.
And lest we forget the ladies, I give you the ladies of Rho Alpha Zeta. Miss May clearly didn’t get the jacket memo.
Stay tuned for Part Tres, as we travel back in time 42 years to the year Leonardo DiCaprio was born.
Bill (KTAI’s “Mr. Music”) Vessey of Texas A&I University in Kingsville shows us how a stray lock of hair pulled in front of the headset makes for a fantastic fringey sideburn.
Well, y’all, it’s hard to believe the bicentennial was nigh on 40 years ago. Some of you were already married, some weren’t even born, and I was in pre-school, oblivious to the fashion faux-pas going on in society. Scarves and bandanas for women, pointed shirt collars for men. And prints so loud coming together in a dangerous cacophony such as this! It’s as though clothing designers suddenly decided to make garments of sofa and wallpaper material.
Other fun facts of ’76 include:
Apple Computers was formed by double Steves, Jobs and Wozniak.
Gymnast Nadia Comaneci earned her first Perfect 10.
Eva Peron told Argentina not to cry for her.
North and South Vietnam united to form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The United States Treasury Department reintroduced the two dollar bill. I still have several!
Jimmy Carter won the Presidential election.
The world’s first laser printer was introduced by IBM.
Eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes dropped dead at the age of 70.
The musical groups Black Flag, The Clash, U2, The Cure, Foreigner, Joy Division, and Madness were all formed in 1976. (source: rwrant.co.za/20-facts-the-year-1976)
When I think about bands forming, I think about a group of dudes (yes, I realize that’s sexist) in a basement, slowly getting gigs and paying their dues for years until being launched out of obscurity. Right? But Foreigner had major hits the following year, selling four million with songs like “Feels Like The First Time.” Way to get it going right off the bat, Foreigner!
Per www.thepeoplehistory.com, the cost of living was much lower:
Average Cost of new house $43,400.00
Average Income per year $16,000.00
Average Monthly Rent $220.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 59 cents
And a microwave oven cost $169.00. I could buy one for that price now. Although the interwebs says that sales of microwave ovens exceeded that of gas ranges in 1975, I didn’t know ANYONE who had a microwave then. I didn’t know anyone who had one in the 1970s at all. And I didn’t have one until my first college apartment. Do you recall Tappan microwaves?
As far as music goes, these were the songs the people requested on heavy rotation:
So tell me–when did you get your first microwave? Did you have awful yellow and avocado green tupperware dishes to put inside it? Do you remember when earning 16K was a decent salary, and not the price of a used car? Did you vote for Jimmy Carter or Gerald Ford? Did you know the popular vote for Carter was 40 million and for Ford it was 39 million? That’s a pretty close call.
And did you know Carter was the first president to be born in a hospital? Wow! Were you born in a hospital?
It’s hard to effectively capture an image of nighttime rainfall, but this pic from the ’73 Indiana University yearbook did a nice job. It’s the kind of shot that sets a mood and makes you want to write a short story.
Here’s the Von Lee on a frosty winter’s day.
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And check this one out, during heavy rainfall. I’d want to get my feet out of that oily water.
This one from http://www.brosher.com is priceless. Sunset practically explodes behind the Von Lee. Gorgeous.
The sun sets behind Bloomington’s historic Von Lee building on Monday, July 13, 2015. Formerly a theater, the Von Lee now houses IU Communications on the second and third floors. (James Brosher/IU Communications)
The men of Omega Psi Phi (Sci-Fi?) are the living expression of Springsteen’s “Born To Run” lyrics: the boys try to look so hard. Okay, guys, we get it. You’re super tough, posing by the pool.
It’s hard to effectively capture an image of nighttime rainfall, but this pic from the ’73 Indiana University yearbook did a nice job. It’s the kind of shot that sets a mood and makes you want to write a short story.
I Don't Get It 