Music - 2/5 - Retroland

Saturday Night Fever

The term “ground zero” describes a point where an explosion occurs. Concerning the explosion of the disco era, few would argue that the catalyst was the 1977 blockbuster film, Saturday Night Fever. Cross-marketed with a musical soundtrack that is still considered one of the most successful of all-time, the film managed to send a significant portion of the population to the nearest dance floor, to boogie the night away just like the film’s character, Tony Manero. It also marked the film debut of America’s favorite sweathog, John Travolta, whose slick dance moves were soon imitated in every disco in America. For better or worse, the disco era had arrived.

Sonny and Cher

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The singing husband-and-wife duo of Sonny and Cher emerged in 1962 and, three years later, landed a huge #1 hit on the charts with “I Got You Babe.” They followed with more hit records and in 1971, they decided to give the medium of television a try, starring in their first special, The Sonny and Cher Nitty Gritty Hour. The reviews were great and it wasn’t long before CBS was asking them to consider their own variety show. That same year, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour debuted as a summer replacement series. Within a year, it was an undeniable hit and a weekly staple within many of the nation's households.

Donny and Marie

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She was a little bit country, he was a little bit rock and roll, and they became one of the most successful brother/sister teams in entertainment history. Their wholesome mugs appeared regularly on television through the latter half of the 70s, and their wholesome music across the nation's radio stations. Make no mistake, Donny and Marie made their mark, and then some.

Donna Summer

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In the royal court of disco, there was never really any mistaking that Donna Summer was the Queen. Many have tried to copy her passionate vocal abilities but few ever came close. With style and grace, and plenty of hard work, she adopted the genre as her own and left her mark with a catalog of endearing hits beloved by her many fans.

Stray Cats

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In the 80s, musical styles were exploring strange new territory, with the inclusion of synthesizers and drum machines adding a mechanical texture and giving a glimpse into the future. But one band in particular, decided to look back rather than forward, going to their roots to forge a retro sound that harkened back to a simpler time in music, the rockabilly era of Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran and the famous Sun sessions of Elvis Presley. With plenty of pomade in their hair, flipped up collars, and a simple instrumentation, The Stray Cats were a welcome blast from the past.

Tiffany

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In the 80s, there was one place that herds of young teenagers could regularly be found – the local shopping mall. So, when producer George Tobin was faced with marketing his newest sensation, he took a rather unorthodox approach that would pay off tenfold. He brought his upcoming star to the fans, embarking on an ambitious tour of shopping malls around the country. Taking center stage, a young red-headed teen by the name of Tiffany, who captured the attention of millions of young shoppers with a penchant for pop music.

Ozzy Osbourne

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From the moment Elvis started swinging his hips on television, rock and roll’s cast of colorful characters have never disappointed when it comes to controversy, whether it be sexual scandals, jaw-dropping tales of substance abuse or even just the occasional television set sent cascading from the rooftop of a hotel. And yet, few have managed to achieve the notoriety of Ozzie Osbourne, a hard rocking singer whose tales of excess and bizarre behavior are the stuff legends are made of. But controversy is only part of the story. Ozzie is also one of the undeniable forefathers of heavy metal, and as a result, has enjoyed a wildly successful career that spans over four decades.

KC and the Sunshine Band

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A soundtrack of the 70s would hardly be complete without the inclusion of KC and the Sunshine Band. Emerging during the infamous disco era, they were a staple of radio playlists, thanks to a steady stream of energetic hits that never failed to fill the dance floor. Decades later, loyal fans still flock to see KC and the gang perform their unique brand of pop music.

Peter Frampton

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Success came early to Peter Frampton. Embarking on a teen idol career in his native England, he soon crossed the pond to conquer the Americas as well. He had a prolific run with the band Humble Pie but he’s best remembered for his solo output in the 70s, including one of the best selling live albums ever to hit the street. Let's take a look back at this innovative musician, whose songs certainly didn't suffer from lack of airplay in the 70s.

Yellow Submarine

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Yellow Submarine was neither the first film to feature the Fab Four, nor the first time we saw them in animated form, but that didn't stop it from becoming a beloved classic. Released in 1968, With its decidedly psychedelic look and a score that included a collection of some of the band's best music, Yellow Submarine took us on an unforgettable journey - all the while imparting the peaceful message that "all you need is love."