Like Odyssey offered escape for the characters – real and fictional – in the form of a place to dance to disco in SNF, Gilley’s offered escape for the characters – real and fictional – in the form of a place to do the two-step. And, as “Saturday Night Fever” ultimately leads to the oversaturation of disco and contributes to its downfall, something similar will happen to Gilley’s. “Urban Cowboy” brings countryish music and a glimpse inside Gilley’s to millions of people who were nowhere near Houston — making it so popular that the locals soon wanted no more to do with it when it became a haven for tourists…

Episode 44: Streaking, Werewolves, Sharks, & Drinking: 70s Novelty Songs

"For some strange reason," began Locorriere, "whenever people strap on a guitar and step on stage, they tend to strike a pose or do something really flashy or showbiz. But we used to just pile into a station wagon and have a 12-15 hour journey between gigs, so we entertained ourselves by making up songs and little voices and making each other laugh…And we were told that if we could get that loose feeling on stage and forget about showbiz, then we could have fun and entertain the audience at the same time.” — Dennis Loccorriere of Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show

Amy LivelyJune 11, 2023novelty songs, 70s podcast, 70s music, Dr, dr. hook, jimmy buffett, the cover of the rolling stone, jaws

Episode 37: Philly Soul and the Sound of the 70s

…this, from journalist Jim Farber in 2021 is a more than apt description: It is a mixture of creamy strings, punching horns, snaking bass lines and fulsome melodies all combined to create something at once complex and light – a sonic soufflé fired by soul. Or, we could simply go with Bobby Eli, producer and guitarist, said the Philadelphia Sound is “funk dressed in a tuxedo.”

Episode 36: Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey!: 70s Music and Sports

The greatest compliment is when people think nobody wrote it; they just think it’s always been there archetypally. So, ‘We Will Rock You’ has become traditional, like it goes back to the stone age, and that makes me happy.” — Brian May, Queen

Amy LivelyJanuary 17, 202270s history, 70s sports, 70s podcast, 70s music podcast

Episode 32: Take Me to Church: Religion in 70s Popular Music

“Parallel to my musical career I’ve always been on a spiritual sojourn, looking for truth and meaning. It was a song of self-encouragement. I was telling myself to keep on looking and I would find what I sought.” — Kerry Livgren on “Dust in the Wind” by his band, Kansas

Episode 31: The Spirit of '76: Pop Music in America's Bicentennial

Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney and Wings from the album Wings at the Speed of Sound. It was the #1 song in America on July 4, 1776. Fitting that one of our favorite British invaders would have the #1 song on that day.

Episode 30: The Sweet Sounds of Bubblegum Music of the 70s

“…when you watch film footage of David singing this song that he resisted but so many people loved, you would never know he was ambivalent about it -- at least them. ‘It’s a high going out on that stage. You look around and it’s all there for you, people loving you like that.’”

Episode 25: The Hispanic Influence on 70s Popular Music

history, music, music historyAmy LivelyOctober 4, 202070s podcast, 70s history, 70s music, 70s rock, 70s country, freddy fender, santana, mocedades, freddie prinze, tony orlando, chico and the man, jose feliciano

Episode 13: Soul Train: Peace, Love, and Soul in the Seventies

Amy cites Professor Laurence Ralph, who said that “Soul Train” showed young African Americans doing things that were “radically ordinary.” Just like American Bandstand.

history, musicAmy LivelySeptember 25, 2019soul train, 70s music, 70s history, don cornelius, soul unlimited, al green, 70s soul, 70s podcast

Episode 5: Anti-Nixon Songs of the 70s

…name-checking Nixon was not just taking advantage of an easy target. He invited this criticism by involving himself in the discussion about what was and was not “appropriate” for radio airplay.