Rock

What Was It Like During High School In The ‘70s

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The high school experience in the 1970s was substantially different from what students today are used to. One reason is that communication was done in person or over the phone because there were no smartphones, social media, or computers. Students wore a variety of outfits, with tie-dye shirts, bell-bottom jeans, and platform shoes being popular choices. Rock bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd dominated the airwaves throughout my high school years, and music played a significant role in my education. Football and basketball were the most well-liked sports, but other sports were also very popular. In general, high school in the 1970s was a more straightforward era with fewer distractions and a concentration on neighborhood and friendships.

Here are some of the experiences which could sum up what high school was like in the 70s.

The era is dominated by Led Zeppelin

In the 1970s, their unique blend of blues, folk, and hard rock, along with their electrifying live performances, made them a dominant force in the music industry.

Led Zeppelin’s first four albums, released between 1969 and 1971, established them as a major force in rock music. Their iconic song “Stairway to Heaven” from their fourth album is still considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time.

Throughout the 70s, Led Zeppelin continued to release critically acclaimed albums and tour extensively, building a massive following of loyal fans. Their live shows, featuring extended improvisations and virtuosic performances from each member of the band, were legendary.

Using An 8-Track Player In Your Car

Using an 8-track player in your car in the 70s was a unique experience. The 8-track tape was a magnetic tape sound recording technology that was popular in the late 60s and 70s. The 8-track player was a bulky device that was mounted under the dashboard of the car. The player had a slot for inserting the 8-track tape cartridge.

The high school students were forced to do it even if they didn’t want to. Aside from the radio, it’s the only instrument available for playing and recording music.

The sound quality of the 8-track player was not as good as other formats such as vinyl records. The tapes were prone to warping or getting stuck in the player. But despite its shortcomings, the 8-track player was a popular way to listen to music while driving. It was a convenient way to have your favorite tunes on the go and made road trips more enjoyable.

Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd is playing on the radio

The really fantastic music playing on the radio is probably the largest perk that the 1970s has to offer. Whenever there was a radio, you could hear Pink Floyd’s most popular album, Dark Side of the Moon.

It was a very unusual experience to listen to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon on the radio in the 1970s. After being published in 1973, the album soon became popular and dominated the radio for many years. The album’s combination of progressive rock, avant-garde soundscapes, and moving lyrics produced a sonic environment that was distinctive from anything else being played on the radio at the time. Its creative use of sound effects, including spoken word samples, sound collages, and unusual instrumentation, contributed to the album’s appeal. It was a life-changing event to listen to Dark Side of the Moon on the radio because it took listeners to another realm and left a deep imprint.

Star Wars

In the 1970s, watching Star Wars was a singular and unforgettable experience. The picture transported viewers to a galaxy far, far away, and was a pioneering masterpiece. The epic plot, the memorable characters, and the special effects completely wowed the audience. At the time, there were no leaks or spoilers, so nobody knew what to anticipate. There was a tangible sense of expectation, and there were long lineups outside of the theaters. The communal nature of watching Star Wars in the 1970s led to the emergence of a cultural phenomenon that endures to this day.

Queen And Their “Bohemian Rhapsody”

The song was released in 1975 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Its genre-defying mix of rock, opera, and ballad was unlike anything that had come before it, and it captured the imagination of a generation. The song’s complex structure and lyrics made it a favorite among music lovers who appreciated its artistic merit. Whether playing on the radio or heard through a record player, “Bohemian Rhapsody” was a transformative experience that left audiences in awe. It continues to be a beloved classic today, cementing its place in music history.

Disco Became A Popular Thing

In the 1970s, disco music became more popular, especially in the US. Early in the 1970s, pop, soul, and funk were combined to create disco. In especially in New York City, it quickly became popular in clubs, and by the middle of the 1970s, it had spread to the general public. Pulsating rhythms, catchy songs, and a focus on dancing and having fun were the hallmarks of the disco era. Donna Summer, Bee Gees, Chic, and Gloria Gaynor were a few of the most well-known disco artists of the time. In spite of its final demise in the early 1980s, the disco craze had a profound effect on popular music and culture.

Pet Rocks

Pet rocks were a popular fad in the 1970s. They were sold as a low-maintenance pet alternative, and their popularity peaked during the Christmas season of 1975. The concept was simple: a smooth rock, usually from Mexico’s Rosarito Beach, was packaged in a cardboard box with air holes and a tongue-in-cheek instruction manual. The manual humorously instructed the owner on how to care for their new pet rock, which included feeding it (not), walking it (nope), and training it (impossible). Despite their absurdity, more than 1.5 million pet rocks were sold, making their creator, Gary Dahl, a millionaire. The pet rock craze eventually died down, but it remains a nostalgic relic of the 1970s.

Elton John

Elton John’s rise to fame in the early 1970s was meteoric. He established himself as a major force in the music industry with his flamboyant stage persona, catchy tunes, and emotionally charged lyrics. He became known for his outrageous costumes and oversized glasses, which added to his appeal.

Elton John’s music was a fusion of rock, pop, and classical influences, and he had a knack for crafting memorable melodies and sing-along choruses. His songs were often deeply personal, dealing with themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, and his fans connected with him on a deeply emotional level.

Elton John’s influence on the 70s was significant. He helped to usher in a new era of pop music, which was more theatrical and flamboyant than the music that had come before. He inspired countless musicians who followed in his footsteps, and his legacy continues to be felt in popular music to this day.

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