Libsyn Directory

Ep. 56 - Talk Shows of the 1970s

For the Record: The 70s

Americans watched a lot of television in the 70s and talk shows were among the most popular shows to watch. Talk shows were the true intersection of music, politics, and culture. This episode will examine some of the most popular talk shows of the 70s including "Dinah!" "The Mike Douglas Show," and, of course, "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. Its hard to discuss 70s politics without Richard Nixon entering the fray, which he does in his attempts to deport Mike Douglas's co-host, John Lennon, and by using the power of the presidency to threaten "Soul!" and other public affairs programming...

Ep. 55: Heartland Rock is about More than the Heartland

For the Record: The 70s

The heartland is an American region, but heartland rock is not regional. In fact, it can be argued that it is more of a culture than a sub-genre of rock. This episode discusses the origins of heartland rock and the themes that attracted fans to it, which are far more universal than record companies and music executives of the 70s and 80s would have liked to admit. Artists such as Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, and John Mellencamp created music that touched on feelings and issues that many people could relate to, whether they lived in the American heartland or not.

FTR70 Sound Bite: Remembering Sly Stone

For the Record: The 70s

Ep. 54: Into the 80s! What Came Next for 70s Heavy Metal?

For the Record: The 70s

How did heavy metal change from the 70s to the 80s? This episode examines the birth of "hair metal" and how, for a short but LOUD period of time, heavy metal was one of the most popular genres in American music. Bands such as Quiet Riot, Def Leppard, and even Van Halen benefitted from widespread exposure on MTV as the visual aspect of a band's image became as important as the music. *This also marks a change in venue for 80s music topics as FTR80 will be merged into the FTR70 feed. Look for 80s topics to be a continuation of topics previously discussed on FTR70.*

Ep. 53 - More than Charley Pride: African Americans in 70s Country

For the Record: The 70s

The roots of country music are black and white. So, why do most people think of country as a white person's genre? This episode considers answers to that question and examines the contributions that African American artists made to country music in the 1970s.

Ep. 52 - 70s Christmas Music

For the Record: The 70s

It isn't easy to write an original Christmas song that stands the test of the time, but artists of the 70s gave us several, such as "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano and "Step into Christmas" by Elton John. These songs, combined with some iconic covers, added a wide variety of Christmas music created in the 70s to the holiday song canon.

Ep. 51 - The Softer Side of 70s Rock

For the Record: The 70s

Rock critics may have hated it but millions of music fans loved so-called "soft rock." This episode examines possible theories for this genre's popularity and makes the case that this "safer" version of rock music may have actually been an expansion of it that is still part of popular music. *Fans of this podcast should also check out "For the Record: The 80s!*

Ep. 3 - Nostalgia, Race, and Rebels in 70s Southern Rock (Encore)

For the Record: The 70s

Southern rock from bands such as the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd was not just loved by Americans from the South. Southern rock has broad appeal. For many white southerners, though, this form of rock tapped into a desire for nostalgia, rebellion, and a reclaiming of the South as a distinct region. This episode discusses the question of how we should think about that music now, as well as the very thorny question of what the Confederate flag has to do with any of it.

Ep. 2: Countryish Music of the 1970s (Encore)

For the Record: The 70s

Country radio has created the country music sound it has wanted since Elvis and rock and roll began to lure away its customers. This was not pleasing to country music purists in the 1970s. Amy discusses why more people began to listen to countryish music in the 70s and why it became difficult to distinguish country from other pop music. She also offers an analysis of two of Glen Campbell's biggest hits of the 70s, "Country Boy" and "Rhinestone Cowboy."

Ep. 1: Disco Doesn't Suck (Encore)

For the Record: The 70s

Disco and the 70s had a love-hate relationship. Why? Who loved it, who hated it, and what did Stonewall and the beginning of the gay rights movement have to do with any of this?

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