60 Groovy Photos
By | September 24, 2017
Maureen McCormick and Patrick Swayze - Disco Inferno 1979.
With today’s social and political climate, people are craving hope, joy, and unity now more than ever. In the past, the public has looked to entertainers during hard times to be distracted, or as means of a release of the day’s tensions, and often even as someone to aspire to.
With so much tension and hate in the air (especially where politics are involved) it’s nice to look back on a simpler time in America. Beautiful starlets, comedic geniuses, and influential musicians… collected here are rare images of history’s pop culture icons who have contributed to American culture and to some of the most meaningful moments in American history in a way you have never seen them before.
Maureen McCormick will forever be known as Marcia Brady of the Brady Bunch. She was a teen icon from the late 60s into the early 70s. After the show went off the air in 1974, she made guest appearances and eventually made her way onto the reality TV circuit popular today.
Patrick Swayze was in a league of his own with boyish good looks and incredible talents on and off the screen. With classics like Road House, Dirty Dancing, and The Outsiders under his belt, he secured his place as a pop culture icon in no time.
Charles Bronson and wife Jill Ireland (1971).
Pictured here are American actor Charles Bronson and his wife, English actress Jill Ireland. The photo was taken back in 1971 in Santa Monica, California. In addition to starring in their own successful pictures, the glamorous couple co-starred in fifteen films together. She once joked, "I'm in so many Charles Bronson films, because no other actress will work with him."
Ireland was Bronson’s second wife, his first was Harriet Tendler, they had two children together before divorcing in 1965. He married Ireland in October of 1968 and they stayed together until her death in 1990. Ireland died of breast cancer at her home in Malibu, California. Bronson had her cremated and put her ashes in one of his canes– which he was later buried with.
Ann Margaret riding a chopper, 1960's.
There’s no topping the Hollywood legend. The onscreen chameleon has been the sweet brunette, the sassy redhead, and the unforgettable blonde. Her irresistible, throaty singing voice had the public referring to her as the 'female Elvis’ and her love for motorcycles earned her a daredevil reputation.
A 23 year old John Wayne, Circa 1930.
Pictured here is a very young John Wayne back in the 1930s when he first got his big break. His first leading role was in "The Big Trail" (1930), which led to numerous leading roles in B movies in the Western genre all throughout the 1930s.
Wayne's career took off in 1939 and never looked back after being cast in John Ford's "Stagecoach". Wayne was an instant star and he went on to star in 142 more films; 83 of which were Westerns. As Biographer Ronald Davis put it, "John Wayne personified for millions the nation's frontier heritage.”
Heather Locklear photoshoot in 1981.
Actress Heather Locklear was on the television series C.H.I.P.S, T.J. Hooker, and the movie Firestarter. But she got her big break when she landed a role in Dynasty in 1981. After that she appeared in various film roles throughout the 80s and by 1993 she landed another recurring role on the hit show Melrose Place. She became a part of the cast of Spin City and in 2009, she appeared on a new version of Melrose Place.
Al Pacino starring in "Serpico" (1973).
Pictured here is a young Al Pacino back in 1973, starring in “Serpico”. The actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter wasn’t always the brilliant, award winning, creative genius everyone knows him as today. Once he was just getting his feet wet in the world of Hollywood and it was a role as a heroin addict in the 1971 film The Panic in Needle Park, that caught the attention of director Francis Ford Coppola. Coppola passed up actors Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, and Warren Beatty and cast new comer Al Pacino in 1972 as Michael Corleone in the The Godfather (much to the dismay of studio heads). And a star was born.
Eric Clapton, Sting and Jeff Beck hanging out backstage at the Secret Policeman's Other Ball in 1981.
Eric Clapton, Sting and Jeff Beck were all part of the band line up for the Secret Policeman's Other Ball of September 10, 1981. Essentially it was the who's who of early 1980s British comedy and combined with music celebrities. Actor John Cleese directed this eclectic group of performers for a benefit for the English wing of Amnesty International. The show included comedy skits by Peter Cook, Rowan Atkinson, and the members of Monty Python. Other participants were Phil Collins, Donovan and Bob Geldof among others.
Farrah Fawcett skateboarding in the 70's.
Pictured here is former "Charlie’s Angels" star Farrah Fawcett, posed on a skateboard back in 1976 for an episode of the hit detective series.
Farrah Fawcett was one of the most successful actresses of her time. Strutting through the 1970s as one of Charlie’s Angels not only cemented her sex-icon status in Hollywood history, but it also earned her four Emmys and six Golden Globe Awards nominations. In addition to every woman in the U.S. begging stylists for “Farrah hair,” it seems every man in the country was pretty obsessed with her too. And her iconic swimsuit poster became the best-selling pin-up poster in history!
Melanie Griffith, Don Johnson, and Cher in the 1970's.
Pictured here with Don Johnson are stars Cher and Melanie Griffith. This photo was taken back in the 1970s. Johnson became heartthrob all through the 1980s as he fought crime on screen as James "Sonny" Crockett in the hit show, Miami Vice. The role even earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
At the time this was taken, Cher was already rising in fame, well on her way to becoming the pop goddess she is now known as today. She is one of the most consistent celebrities out there and not just in terms of her music and acting career. She has always managed to stay on top of every fashion trend out there. At 71-years old she is still releasing music, touring, and looks fantastic.
Before Beyonce there was Tina Turner (1971).
The similarities between these two fierce, leggy divas are not lost on modern audiences. Both women share an affinity for shimmery ensembles, picture-perfect locks, and the ability to sell out arenas. The pair may have even shared a stage together at the 50th annual Grammy Awards but there is only one Tina Turner. Beyoncé may have learned to emulate her stage presence but Tina Turner was one of the early trailblazers for black female entertainers.
Interestingly enough, Turner also got into Buddhism back in the 1970s, she found peace in the rituals of chanting and still adheres to the teachings of The Soka Gakkai International, (the largest Buddhist organization) today.
According to Turner, "The experience of singing prayers together allows us to deeply connect on an emotional level, a place of love and respect where worldly differences fade."
Ann Margaret, 1960's.
Ann-Margret is an actress, singer, and dancer. Oddly enough, George Burns helped launch her singing career, and from there she went on to conquer acting. Soon she had a seven-year film contract from 20th Century Fox and was starring alongside Elvis, Jack Nicholson, and John Wayne. She earned an Oscar nomination for Carnal Knowledge and was even invited to serenade President John F. Kennedy at his 46th birthday party (a year after Marilyn Monroe did).
Jamie Lee Curtis in 1980.
Pictured here is the legendary scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis dominated the horror scene of the ‘70s. With films like Prom Night, Terror Train, The Fog, and John Carpenter's Halloween. It wasn’t until Trading Spaces in 1983 that she started getting notoriety outside the horror genre. The role also earned her a BAFTA award as best supporting actress. She went on to work on A Fish Called Wanda and was nominated for a BAFTA as best leading actress.
In 1994 she won a Golden Globe for True Lies and hasn't stopped working since. She also reprised her role as Lori strode in Halloween II, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later and Halloween: Resurrection, she also had a voice role in Halloween III: Season of the Witch. It has recently been confirmed that Curtis will be Lori Strode once again, in Halloween 2018.
Robert Shaw kicking back with Bruce the Shark during the filming of "Jaws" in 1974.
Director Steven Spielberg nicknamed the pneumatically-powered shark “Bruce” after his shark of a lawyer Bruce Ramer. Bruce the prop was an actual beast, weighing in at 1.2 tons and spanning 25 feet in length and not the easiest thing to maneuver. The production itself was marred with technical problems, most of which were the temperamental Jaws.
The shark was so mechanically flawed in fact, that they were forced to limit its screen time. It takes a good hour and 20 minutes before the shark fully appears and the continuous problems took their scheduled 65-day shoot and stuck them with 159-days of Spielberg trying to invent clever ways to shoot around it.
Barbara Eden in "I Dream of Jeannie" (1970)
Barbara Eden was all charm in "I Dream of Jeannie." Astronaut Captain Tony Nelson discovered a mysterious bottle while on a mission and upon opening it, he released Jeannie (the Genie). The bubbly, scantily dressed woman of legend seems thrilled to serve Captain Nelson and quickly takes to calling him ‘master’.
Despite the sexual tension, Captain Nelson managed to keep things chaste with Jeannie for the first four seasons but by 1969, the sexual revolution made its way to “I Dream of Jeannie", and it was time for its two stars to get together. Jeannie and Nelson got married during the 1969-1970 season, which ended up being the last.
The Traveling Wilburys (Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Roy Orbison), circa 1980's.
The Traveling Wilburys was a fortunate accident that George Harrison concocted to fill the B-side of a single for “This Is Love,” from his Cloud Nine album. It was customary to add a never-before heard track to the flip side of a single. George just happened to be hanging out in with Jeff Lynne and their friends Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison, at Dylan’s studio when it dawned on him to record a jam session for his B-side. They nailed it. The concept of a full scale collaborative album was the natural next step.
Joyce Dewitt battle of the network stars in 1978.
Pictured here is Joyce Dewitt playing on behalf of ABC in Battle of the Network Stars back in 1978. The series aired on ABC but featured teams of TV stars from all three major networks competing against each other in sporting events. ABC, CBS, and NBC would gather their teams, choose a team leader and let the games commence.
Regular occurring events included swimming, kayaking, volleyball, golf, tennis, outdoor bowling, cycling, running, and 3-on-3 football There was also the baseball dunk, the obstacle course and a game of "Simon Says".
Alongside Dewitt in the 1978 event was the ABC team captain Gabe Kaplan, Robin Williams, Debby Boone, Billy Crystal, Richard Hatch, Maren Jensen, and Robert Urich.
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as "The Blues Brothers" 1980.
Pictured here are comedy legends Dan Aykrod and John Belushi as their iconic characters from The Blues Brother. Founded in 1978 by Aykroyd and Belushi as a musical sketch for Saturday Night Live, The Blues Brothers hit the big screen in 1980. Directed by John Landis, the classic film surrounds paroled convict Jake Blues and his brother Elwood as they seek redemption by taking a “mission from god.” That “mission” being to reform their blues band and raise funds to save the Catholic orphanage where they grew up.
The Original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, 1970's.
Back in the 1970s, Miss World America Lynda Carter scored the role of Wonder Woman and became the first mainstream female superhero. Carter quickly became a household name and soon skyrocketed to pop icon status.
She proved to the public that women could be both tough and sexy, at a time where women were still largely considered ‘delicate’ in nature. She rocked her own obvious sex appeal combined with her character’s incredible strength and abilities at the same time. Even after her Wonder Woman days were over, she hardly retired her superhero cape. Lynda continued her battle for justice off screen as an advocate for LGBT rights and eventually she also joined efforts in finding the cure for cancer.
Robert Downey Jr and James Spader, circa 1985.
Pictured here are actors Robert Downey Jr. and James Spader co-starring in this 1985 cult classic “Tuff Turf”. This was the first time the pair worked together and oddly enough there was prophetic graffiti placed in the film, reading: the new avengers.
Spader plays teenager Morgan Hiller who is forced to move from Connecticut to Los Angeles after his father’s company goes under. In typical '80s teen-flick fashion, Morgan struggles to make friends, bonds with an intelligent but unaffected sidekick (Robert Downey Jr.), and ends up falling for the local gang leader's girl which of course, has its consequences.
Janis Joplin in San Francisco, California, circa 1968.
Janis was known to fused her rock with the Blues, giving it far more depth. Janis was also widely regarded for her ‘electric’ stage presence and though she died young, she still remains one of the top-selling musicians in the United States. Despite having only released three albums before her untimely death, Janis Joplin is arguably one of the most prominent female rock stars of all time and certainly the biggest of her era. In 1995, she was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Described as having "a devastatingly original voice" and a presence that was both "overpowering and deeply vulnerable", news of her death shook the music world which was still processing the loss of Jimi Hendrix sixteen days earlier.
Robin Williams - 1979.
Pictured here is the legendary comedic genius Robin Williams in 1978. Mork & Mindy was his first big break. This legendary role launched his career and propelled him towards his future greatness. In it, he played the role of "Mork from Ork", a bumbling alien who moves in with an earthling named Mindy. The roomies attempt to maintain a normal household which goes about as well as expected.
Right from the start, Williams was primarily known for his comedic bits and his demeanor was said to be usually quite in sync with his on stage persona. But it seems Williams had long suffered from depression and eventually dementia which resulted in his death by suicide in 2014.
The Three Stooges in and out of character (1930's).
Pictured here is the legendary slapstick team known as The Three Stooges. Captured here, out of character, are Moe Howard, whose real name was Moses Horwitz; Larry Fine was born Louis Fienberg, and Curly Howard’s real name was Jerome Lester Horwitz.
Looking back, ‘The Three Stooges’ may seem like nothing more than mindless entertainment but they turned vaudeville slapstick into an art form. They inspired many comedic actors and writers, their influence can be seen in just about every form of comedy no matter the medium.
"Clap for the Wolfman, you gonna dig him 'til the day you die..."
Born Robert Weston Smith, legendary rock & roll DJ “Wolfman Jack” rose to fame throughout the ‘60s. The Brooklyn native studied broadcasting while supporting himself as a door-to-door salesman. It wasn’t until 1965, after getting a job at a Mexico-based station, XERB-AM that the legend of “wolfman Jack” began to make mainstream news. His on air personality attracted attention across the US and before he knew it major publications like Time, Newsweek, and Life were all asking: who is Wolfman Jack and where did he come from?
The mystery as to who the person behind Wolfman Jack was finally revealed in 1973 in George Lucas' film American Graffiti. Even after the mystery was solved, the novelty didn’t wear off. Wolfman Jack went on to make numerous television appearances and hosting NBC-TV's The Midnight Special. His final syndicated radio broadcast was in Washington, DC from a Planet Hollywood restaurant on June 30, 1995. He died July 2, 1995 of a heart attack.
Guitar legend - Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page (1977).
Dottie West and Patsy Cline.
Pictured here are two of Country Western musics most influential and groundbreaking female artists, Patsy Cline and Dottie West. These two women, (along with fellow artist and friend Loretta Lynn) pioneered the genre.
This photo was taken at Victoria Hills Golf Club in Deland, Florida, back in the summer of 1962. Not long after this photograph was taken, it's reported Cline started to feel a sense of 'impending doom.' She made a will, got all her affairs in order, voiced to Dottie and other friends that she felt her life was coming to an end. And by Spring of 1963 she perished in a plane crash.
Pat Benatar with her band in Los Angeles, 1980.
Taken in Los Angeles back in 1980, pictured here is Pat Benatar posed with her band. Benatar's debut album "In the Heat of the Night" was released in August 1979, and by early 1980 it had reached #12 in the United States. Also in 1980 was the release of her LP, "Crimes of Passion", featuring her signature song "Hit Me with Your Best Shot". "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" was Benatar's first single to break the US Top 10 and it ended up reaching gold status and selling more than a million copies in the United States.
Who remembers “Jungle Pam”, the drag racing sweetheart of the ’70s?
“Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman with his Chevy Vega Funny Car...was there anything groovier in car racing? I think not! Her trademark look was the go-go boots, short-shorts, and titillating top that dropped more jaws than Jim's burnouts and wheelstands. The couple stole the eyes and hearts of the crowd as they represented the perfect combo of sex and speed that the audience could die for. Those were the days!
Gunsmoke (1955-1975) was TV’s longest running Western. James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon and Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty Russell.
The popular western series, Gunsmoke was actually a radio show before making the transition to television in 1955. The TV series ran from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, on CBS, with 635 total episodes.
By its second season in 1956, the show has made its way onto the top ten list and soon shot up to the number one spot. It stayed at the top until 1961 and even when bumped down, it remained among the top 20 programs until 1964.
Elvis Presley, rocking the gold glasses and lion pendant, 1971.
Taken back in 1972, this picture features Elvis Presley in his gold glasses and lion pendant. In addition to his glitzy accessories, Elvis was also known for his pitch black hair, which he dyed, his natural hair color was brown.
His decadence didn't end there, he was quite the ladies man, and after his divorce from Priscilla was finalized, he was said to let some of the 'good looking' ladies that stalked his infamous mansion, Graceland, inside the house after hours. On one occasion, it was a reported 152 women!
1964 – Willie Nelson makes his debut on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.
Pictured here is Willie Nelson making his debut on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. From here, Nelson went on to become one of the world's most accomplished musicians and one of the main figures in the music sub-genre of outlaw country. In addition to poetry and music, Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been heavily involved in activism over the years. His advocacy for the legalization of marijuana is world famous, especially after he ran into his burning house to save his pot stash… meanwhile A hundred tapes he made of songs that had yet to be professionally recorded were all lost to the flames.
The cast of M*A*S*H - 1972.
M*A*S*H was an American television series developed by Larry Gelbart which aired on CBS from 1972 to 1983. The show is set during the Korean War and follows members of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (which is where the acronym MASH comes from). The show ran for 11-years despite the fact that the Korean War lasted just over three years.
M*A*S*H brilliantly wove humor into serious situations in efforts to escape the horrors of war. Often described as a “Dark Comedy,” episodes were both plot and character driven with tones that could seamlessly shift from goofy to sobering. It was well written, well acted, and well received. It’s no wonder it was one of the highest rated shows of all time. Ranked at 5th best series ever written by the Writers Guild of America and eighth greatest show of all time according to TV Guide ranked it as the eighth-greatest show of all time.
Photo of actress Diana Rigg (1960's). Best known today as Olenna Tyrell on "Game of Thrones".
Nowadays Diana Rigg can be seen in Game of Thrones, as Olenna Tyrell. But once upon a time, the young, glamorous, smokey eyed beauty was most famous for her role in the 1965 “Avengers” series.
Diana Rigg was famous, audacious, and often described as the most desirable woman in the world in her heyday. Her love life was just as public as her award winning career. Shamelessly dating a much older (married man), and boldly stating she had no desire "to be respectable".
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis on her wedding day, September 12, 1953.
Before becoming the First Lady, Jackie Bouvier almost married another man; World War II veteran and Wall Street Banker John Husted. She was just 22 years old at the time and quickly grew to hate the idea of becoming a housewife. By March she called the whole wedding off and mere months later started dating John F Kennedy who was a U.S. congressman at the time. She met Kennedy at a dinner-party in Georgetown, and the two hit it off.
The couple had been dating for two years when he proposed with a Van Cleef & Arpels ring set with a 2.88-carat diamond and 2.84-carat emerald. They were married in September of 1953.
Their wedding was held at St. Mary’s Church and their beautiful outdoor reception was at Hammersmith Farm in Newport, Rhode Island. With over 800 notable guests, it was the social event of the season.
Elvis checking out the competition - Memphis, 1957.
Pictured here is Elvis Presley, also known as ‘The King’ wandering a record store in Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis moved to Memphis with his family when he was 13-years old, it’s where he began his music career in 1954 and really came into his own.
Elvis fused country with rhythm and blues, he was an early popularizer of rockabilly. His first RCA single “Heartbreak Hotel” was released in January of 1965 and wasted no time in becoming a number-one hit in the US.
Since then Elvis has gone on to earn the largest presentation of gold and platinum record awards in history. The King has a total of 90 gold, 53 platinum, and 25 multi-platinum album awards under his massive belt buckle.
Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Mark Hamill in the Break Room, 1977.
Pictured here is the leading cast members of Star Wars, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Mark Hamill, taking a break. While all three of these actors went on to have successful acting careers outside of the Star Wars films, they will always be remembered for their roles in what's arguably the best, epic space opera ever created.
George Lucas’s 1977 “Star Wars” was the first film in a trilogy that later launched the franchise still turning to this day. The original storyline focuses on the Rebel Alliance who aims to destroy the Death Star, under the lead of Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher).
Jimi Hendrix driving a dune buggy, 1968.
Don Adams and Barbara Feldon in the TV series Get Smart in the 1960's.
While actress Barbara Feldon has done tons of great projects since her role on “get Smart,” she will always be remembered as “Agent 99”. The 1960s hit television series Get Smart. Feldon was nominated for two prime time Emmy's for the sexy, lovable role of sidekick to Don Adams’ bumbling secret agent, Maxwell Smart. The spy spoof was a big hit throughout the 60s, everyone loved its absurdity and the kitsch “high tech” gadgets like the shoe phone and cone of silence. The show was also famous for Adams’ catch phrases: “Missed it by that much” , “sorry about that chief”, and “if you don’t mind 99”.
Martha Stewart and a cow... (1964).
What many don’t realize nowadays, is lifestyle guru Martha Stewart modeled in her teens and early adulthood to help pay for the portions of her education that her scholarship didn’t cover. She became very successful even though it was treated as just a part-time job. She got gigs from major brands including Chanel.
She then traded photoshoots for the stock market after landing a graduate role as a broker on Wall Street after college. It wasn’t until restoring an 1805 farmhouse and launching her own catering company in 1976, that really set her “lifestyle career” in motion.
Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne on their wedding day in 1982.
Pictured here are Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne on their wedding day back in July of 1982. Rock and roll’s favorite couple flew to Hawaii for a fourth of July wedding and aside from a brief separation (recently) the couple has been together for 35 years. They just recently reconciled and renewed their wedding vows. Both of them seem rejuvenated, the marriage is once again in solid footing. According to Ozzy, “For me, this was actually our real wedding day. This is the one that I will remember. Sharon and I have been through so much, and this honestly feels like a new beginning.”
He went on to say, “without Sharon, I am nothing. I love her. I can honestly say that I have never loved anybody other than my wife.”
Michael and Janet Jackson, L.A., 1978.
Pictured here are pop legends Janet and Michael Jackson. After the Jackson Five, Janet and Michael had continued success as solo artists. And while all nine of the Jackson siblings have gold records to their credits, Michael and Janet’s icon status is what led the Jacksons to become known as the "Royal Family of Pop".
In recent years, members of the Jackson family have been honored for their work; The Jackson 5 was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Michael was inducted as a solo artist as well in 2001. The Jacksons, along with Michael and Janet (as solo artists) all received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And in 2009 A&E launched the documentary series entitled The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty following the loss of Michael and the prep work for the Jackson 5 Reunion tour.
JFK at breakfast with his daughter Caroline at the White House, 1961.
Pictured here is John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States dining with his daughter Caroline. JFK’s administration ran from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. Little Caroline was just shy of her sixth birthday when she lost her father.
Today, Caroline is the only surviving child of President Kennedy and former First Lady Jacqueline Onassis. She grew up to become a prominent author, attorney, and diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Japan from 2013 to 2017. Much like her mother, she's an advocate for education reform and stays involved with charitable work.
Roadhouse Blues- Jim Morrison & Ray Manzarek at the original Hard Rock Cafe. (December 1969)
The founding members of the rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles. The other members (not pictured) included John Densmore and Robby Krieger.
It was just a year after this was taken that Jim Morrison joked about one day faking his own death to increase record sales while he was out drinking with friends. He also went so far as to muse about joining the 27 club, the notorious group of stars who met their untimely demise at the age of 27. As predicted he did become a member of the morbid club and sales soared. Creepily enough his cause of death remains inconclusive, as no autopsy was ever performed.
Sonny and Cher with Bob Dylan, New York, 1965.
Pictured here are musical couple Sonny and Cher along with fellow musician Bob Dylan. After the release of their first album with their hit single, “I Got You, Babe,” back in 1965, Sonny and Cher’s popularity skyrocketed. The couple began making television appearances and even more performances.
The song "All I Really Want to Do"was written by Bob Dylan but Cher also covered it. She released her version in May 1965. It reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it was at #9 in the United Kingdom, and it was charted in other countries as well. The Byrds covered the song as well, and while it was really different from Cher's, it also entered the Billboard Hot 100 during the same week.
The Ronettes were a popular American girl group from New York during the 1960's. Cher became a permanent backup singer for songs recorded by the Ronettes.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, The Ronettes were the first “bad girls of rock” and one of the most popular groups in the 1960s. With nine songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and five Top 40 hits, the trio was Phil Spector’s most successful act for a time, and the lead singer Veronica Bennett became his wife. The other Ronettes, were Veronica’s older sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley.
Among their most famous songs are titles such as "Baby, I Love You", "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up", Grammy Award winning song "Walking in the Rain", and "Be My Baby" which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
Tina Louise as "Ginger Grant" checking out her tube of lipstick.
Actress, singer, and author Tina Louise is best known for her role as Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island from 1964 to 1967. Ginger Grant was the sparkling diva of the island, constantly dressing glamorously and name-dropping as if fame and social status mattered while stranded on an island.
Tina Louise landed her breakthrough role in 1958 with the film God's Little Acre, for which she took home a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. Louise had many other starring roles in big Hollywood films over the years like The Trap, The Hangman, The Stepford Wives, Day of the Outlaw, and For Those Who Think Young.
Z Z Top performing at a prom, early 70's.
Pictured here is rock band ZZ Top playing the Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School senior prom in Orange, Texas, May of 1971. As it turns out, sometime between signing the contract and the date of the actual event, the band became huge.
They actually tried to get out of it last minute but the school couldn't get anyone else and the band had signed a contract so they had to perform. So there they were, the biggest new rock band to hit airwaves, jamming out a paper streamer filled gymnasium for a graduating class of about 100 kids... until word got out and people were climbing through windows to crash a prom.
Jimi Hendrix & Eric Clapton, two guitar wizards (1967).
In 1967, Jimi Hendrix went to a Cream gig in London. After Clapton heard Hendrix play “Killing Floor” he was stunned. Pictured here are the two guitar masters hanging out a a club after the show. Clapton invited Hendrix out to get to know him better and then he ended up inviting them all back to his flat in Park Road, near Regent’s Park.
The group all went back to Clapton’s in efforts to develop a friendship but it was forced. Eric and Jimi tried hard, but neither of them were known for being strong conversationalists. On his way out, Jimi allegedly muttered, ‘God, that was hard work.’
Golden Girl! Betty White striking a pose in the 1940's.
Award winning actress Betty White has also been given the title of Longest TV Career for an Entertainer (Female) in the Guinness Book of World Records, for her more than 70 years (and counting) in show business.
It seems as though Betty White has been famous forever, she’s just always been around. Films, sitcoms, talk shows... she's done a bit of everything. Betty White is also recognized as the first woman to ever produce a sitcom and she was given the honorary title Mayor of Hollywood in 1955.
Prince in 1975, at the age of 17.
Pictured here is the artist that went on to become the artist formerly known as Prince. Here he is just a 17-year old with a guitar in his hands and stars in his eyes. Since then, Prince went on to become a musical innovator, integrating various styles like funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, psychedelia, and pop. His undeniable musical talents paired with his wide vocal range and his flamboyant stage presence made him a pop-culture phenomenon.
Prince is one of the best-selling artist of all time with over 100 million records worldwide. Over the course of his career he won seven Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for his film Purple Rain. In 2004, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sophia Loren, 1963. Wow!
Sophia Loren, the Italian born beauty who began acting at 15-years old. In the late 1950s, she signed a five-movie contract with Paramount. So, she managed to go from playing bit parts to reaching international stardom by 1958. She won the hearts of Americans and was the first Italian actress to receive an Academy Award for Best Actress, for a non-English-language role. Loren also won six David di Donatello Awards for Best Actress, this gave her the record of having been the only woman to have won that many. She's also taken home a BAFTA, a Grammy Award, a Laurel Award, the Honorary Academy Award, and five special Golden Globes.
Our favorite Sophia Loren quote: "I'd rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size zero."
Clint Eastwood knew how to pull off a tuxedo with a beard. Circa 1966.
Clint Eastwood actor, filmmaker, musician, and political figure. Achieved success in the Western TV series Rawhide. He quickly rose to international fame with throughout the 1970s with various Western roles and then later played anti-hero cop Harry Callahan in the five Dirty Harry films throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His tendency to stick to ‘tough guy’ roles, sealed his fate as a cultural icon of masculinity.
Sally Field on the set of Gidget, 1965.
The award-winning actress Sally Field began her career with roles in hit sitcoms like, “Gidget", "The Flying Nun," and "The Girl with Something Extra." It wasn't until 1977 that she took on her first film role, which was "Smokey and the Bandit." She was in a relationship with Burt Reynolds at the time and the two lovebirds went on to co-star in "Smokey and the Bandit II", "The End", and "Hooper" together. She later went on to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1979 for her performance in “Norma Rae” and the award nominations just kept rolling in from there.
Melanie Griffith with then boyfriend Don Johnson, 1973.
Pictured here is Melanie Griffith with Don Johnson in Sanibel Island, Florida back in 1973. And while one would guess by the look on Griffith’s face that the couple split up moments after the shot was taken, they eventually ended up getting married and having a daughter together: actress Dakota Johnson.
The two originally started dating when Griffith was just 14-years old and Johnson was 22 and co-starring in a film alongside Griffith’s mother, the legendary Tippi Hedron. The young lovers embarked on marriage, which lasted about six months: January to July of 1976. But they later reconnected and remarried on June 26, 1989. By March of 1994 they’d called it quits and separated. However they were able to reconcile later that same year, but wouldn’t you know it, they split up again in 1995. These two are exhausting.
Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson meeting at the LA forum - 1980's.
Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury worked on three demos together back in the 1980s. “State of Shock” which was a ‘Stones’ sounding rock song and “Victory”, which the Jacksons ended up using as an album title. The third song, "There Must Be More to Life Than This", features vocals from Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson. It was released on the Queen compilation album; Queen Forever. The song was actually written during the Hot Space sessions, but it wasn’t finished it. Mercury eventually released his own version on his solo debut Mr. Bad in 1985.
Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher on the set of "Suddenly Last Summer" in 1959.
Liz Taylor and Eddie Fisher, the couple who sparked what’s known as Hollywood's great betrayal. Eddie Fisher was married to Liz Taylor’s best friend Debbie Reynolds when they began their affair. The two actresses had been friends since they were just teenagers and Reynolds was the mother of Fisher’s two children: Todd and Carrie Fisher.
It all started at the height of Reynolds' stardom, Taylor’s husband Mike Todd was killed in a plane crash and Reynolds wanted to be there for her. Unfortunately, ‘being there for her’ turned into giving up her own husband. Eddie Fisher stepped in to comfort Taylor in her time of need and completely stepped out on Debbie, leaving her to raise their children alone (and he never sent her any money). All of Hollywood was stunned by Fisher and Taylor’s betrayal, they were crucified by the press.
Taylor’s reaction was simply, “You can’t break up a happy marriage, I’m not taking anything away from Debbie Reynolds because she never really had it.”
SNL - the early years and the best.
One of the most iconic comedic shows to date, Saturday Night Live became a huge hit with audiences through the combination of introducing young and budding talent as well as having well-written material that not only captures the audience’s attention but it sure to keep it while stirring up controversy at every turn.
Throughout the decades SNL has remained a tremendous talent farm. With a run spanning over three decades, it’s only natural that SNL is where so many brilliant comedy stars got their start. And with writers like Tina Fey, Adam Sandler, and Eddie Murphy (among many, many other seasoned comedians writing for the show, it’s no wonder SNL is still going strong.
Tea time with Barbara Eden!
Born Barbara Jean Morehead, Barbara Eden had her big film debut back in 1956's “Back from Eternity.” She did a series of unremarkable films before landing what would become her most memorable; Jeannie in “I Dream of Jeannie”. The show was wildly popular, coming in second only to Bewitched for the span of five years. In addition to the 139 episodes she played as the beloved genie, she also donned a brunette wig to portray Jeannie's evil sister.
After Jeannie, Eden filmed the unaired pilot of “The Barbara Eden Show” and the pilot for “The Toy Game”. Another popular role Eden played was that of Stella Johnson, in the movie Harper Valley P.T.A. The film was later adapted into a television series, also starring Eden.
October 1986, Eden published her autobiography, Barbara Eden: My Story in 1986 and then followed it up with her memoir, Jeannie Out of the Bottle in 2011.
Infamous photo of Sophia Loren looking at Jayne Mansfield's 'gown' at a party.
This classic Kodak moment was captured back in 1957 and is credited with being the birth of the ‘side eye’. Apparently, this otherwise elegant event was organized by Paramount organized for Sophia Loren. Then in bounces Jayne Mansfield in a little less fabric than everyone else, and plops down at the guest of honor’s table. Loren later confirmed that, yes, she was thinking exactly what it looks like she was thinking.
As Loren put it: “Listen. Look at the picture. Where are my eyes? I’m staring at her nipples because I am afraid they are about to come onto my plate. In my face you can see the fear. I’m so frightened that everything in her dress is going to blow—BOOM!—and spill all over the table.”
The Beatles in 1961. (Pete Best in center & Stuart Sutcliffe at far right).
Having just formed the year before in 1960, this relatively small rock band had made significant headway by playing in the “underground club scene” and embarking on several mini-tours in and around Britain. They would go on to become one of the biggest rock bands in the world.
"Beatlemania" was the best word to describe the intense fan frenzy that was directed towards this legendary band. Their fans weren’t simply star struck, people (especially teen girls) were obsessed, they went completely mad over the band. The phenomenon began in 1963 and continued well beyond the group’s past the group's break-up in the 1970s.
For The Beatles, it’s not just about their sound. It’s their message and their entire demeanor which is directly related to their era of origin. Perhaps it could be said about all artists that they are a product of their time, but this is especially true for “The Beatles” and it makes replicating them impossible.
