Retro Photos We Never Knew Were Captured
By Sarah Norman | October 27, 2023
A young Richard Nixon will steal your girlfriend (1930's).
It’s once again time to take a peek into the old Groovy History archives and when you see what we have collected here you’ll be full of nostalgia in no time. Old school toys, long outdated technology, and favorite cartoons and TV shows... collected here are some pretty groovy Kodak moments from the not so distant past.
It’s “mister steal your girl” before he even had the status of being the most powerful man in the United States. Around the time this photo was taken, future-former President Richard Nixon was a handsome young lad working on his undergraduate studies at Whittier College. He then went on to graduate from Duke University School of Law in 1937.
From there it was married life and politics, he became the 37th President of the United States (from 1969 until 1974), and then became the only US President who resigned from office. Nixon ended American involvement in the Vietnam war in 1973 and ended the military draft. Unfortunately, he’s usually most remembered for the Watergate Scandal.
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, 1977.
Pictured here are Steely Dan core members and co-founders, Walter Becker (guitars, backing vocals) and Donald Fagen (keyboards, lead vocals). They formed the band back in 1972 and saw a steady stream of success from the start.
They were famous for their artful blend of jazz, R&B, and traditional pop. Their lyrics have been described as “cryptic” and “ironic” and Rolling Stone dubbed them "the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies".
Steely Dan enjoyed both critical and commercial success from the early 1970s until 1981 when they broke up. They reunited in 1993 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by 2001. They have sold over 40 million albums worldwide.
Clint Eastwood, circa 1970.
Pictured here is actor, filmmaker, musician, political figure and all around badass, Clint Eastwood. Before seeing success as a filmmaker, the ruggedly handsome actor achieved his early fame in the Western TV series Rawhide and he quickly rose to international stardom throughout the 1970s with roles in just about all the Westerns from the era worth watching. Soon after, he went ahead and set the standard for the ‘anti-hero cop’ archetype with his performance as Harry Callahan in the five Dirty Harry films during the 1970s and 1980s. Eastwood and his standard “tough guy roles” have pretty much sealed his fate as the official cultural icon of masculinity.
Welcome...to Fantasy Island (1977 to 1984).
Pictured here are Mr. Roarke, played by Ricardo Montalbán and Tattoo (played by Hervé Villechaize) of Fantasy Island. Tattoo would hustle to the bell tower shouting his iconic line: "De plane! De plane!" to announce the arrival of a new guests for each episode. Mr. Roarke, was the island’s man of mystery and intrigue (who only seems to have one name). He would grant the island’s guests all their fantasies... for a price. The Fantasy Island television series was created by Gene Levitt and originally aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984 and then was revived for a 1998–99 season.
1979 Ad for The Cars' Debut Album, The Cars.
The Cars self-titled debut was released in the summer of 1978 and sold one million copies by the end of the first year. They won the public over with new wave hits such as "Just What I Needed," "My Best Friend's Girl," and "Good Times Roll". These three singles remained on the charts for 139 weeks (peaking at number 18 in 1979) and the album as a whole, hit it right out of the park and is still widely regarded as the band’s best. According to lead guitarist Elliot Easton, "We used to joke that the first album should be called The Cars Greatest Hits.”
Leonard Nimoy in the 50s
Pictured here is a baby-faced Spock back in the 1950s. He wouldn't begin his trek as the iconic character until 1964 in various television shows as well as multiple feature and cameo film.
At this point in his life, he had enlisted in the U.S. Army reserves in the early 1950's. Nimoy spent 18 months in the reserves and put on entertaining shows for the Army Special Services during his tenor. He left the military with the rank of Sergeant and went on to become Spock.
His name became synonymous with the character, so much that, when he decided to start making music, he released albums as "Dr. Spock" and both of his autobiographies are centered on the character (i.e. I Am Not Spock, 1975 and I Am Spock, 1995).
What was your favorite song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
The folk-rock supergroup initially made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash became known as CSN for Crosby, Stills, Nash. Then later it was CSNY when singer-songwriter Neil Young came aboard. Between their music and their political activism, they left a lasting influence on both music and culture in the United States.
Crosby, Stills & Nash were all inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their work together and for their work with their respective groups. The same goes for Neil Young, who was inducted both as a solo artist and as a member of Buffalo Springfield.
A young John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne also known as The Prince of Darkness.... (circa 1950s).
Aww, isn’t he just the cutest little prince of darkness you’ve ever seen? It’s true, this little tike is John Michael Osbourne back in the 50’s. Over a decade before he began his professional music career and formed Black Sabbath with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. It’s hard to believe this face grew up to become the “Godfather of Heavy Metal”.
After getting fired from Black Sabbath for letting drug and alcohol use compromise his performance, Ozzy went solo (and it worked out for the best). He released Blizzard of Ozz– it was one of the few best selling albums of the 1980s that achieved multi-platinum status (without having a Top 40 single to help it along). Ozzy is still rocking and making television appearances.
Don Henley, founding member of the Eagles, circa 1976.
Donald Hugh Henley was one of the founding members of the Eagles in addition to being known for his immensely successful solo career. From 1971 to 1980 Henley was a drummer and co-lead singer for the Eagles and while he returned during subsequent reunions, he still pushed his solo work. He released his debut solo album I Can't Stand Still, in 1982.
Worldwide, The Eagles have sold over 150 million albums and they’ve won six Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Henley has sold over 10 million albums worldwide as a solo artist, had eight Top 40 singles, has won two Grammy Awards, and five MTV Video Music Awards.
Who remembers the smell of the paper when it came out of the ditto machine?
Widely referred to as the ditto machine, the spirit duplicator was essentially an early printer invented in 1923 by Wilhelm Ritzerfeld. Its name "spirit duplicator" refers to the alcohols or “spirits” which were used as inks. They were mainly used in organizations like schools, churches, and various clubs. Basically, any place that often needed to produce learning materials, newsletters, brochures, and event flyers. Because hey had the ability to print multiple colors in a single pass, they became very popular with cartoonists.
Initially, the fluid consisted of a 50/50 mix of isopropanol and methanol. In 1938 a nonflammable solvent came out and had a pleasant odor. It was 10% of monofluoro tri-chloro methane and 90% of a mixture of 50% methyl alcohol, 40% ethyl alcohol, 5% water and 5% of ethylene glycol mono-ethyl ether.
Chillin' out on a Dodge at Woodstock, 1969.
Nearly half a million people descended on Woodstock, New York to be a part of the famous music festival. The Hippies pictured here were right at home in the field where music history was made. The event was scheduled to run three days but ended up lasting four because the hippies simply weren’t finished yet. The festival became a landmark in rock in roll history and it ended up defining an entire generation.
Woodstock was jam-packed with free-loving folk who just wanted to party for days on end. Apparently, it would have been even bigger than it was, but traffic was so bad people gave up and turned around. An estimated one million people went home. Not only was traffic too thick for partygoers, it was also impossible for medical responders to get through. This man was needed medical attention but was unable to get it.
Here he comes! Here comes Speed Racer!
The Japanese animation franchise, Speed Racer, also known as Mach GoGoGo, is based on a manga comic centered around racing. This was one of the early examples of an anime becoming a successful franchise after being adapted for an American audience. In this case, it was in both print and television.
The 52 episodes anime aired from April 1967 to March 1968 and was later re-broadcast on from July 1 to September 25, 2008. There were also chapters of the manga that were adapted and released by NOW Comics back in the 1990s under the name Speed Racer Classics. It wasn’t until 2008 when it was republished entirely under its Americanized title, Speed Racer, Mach GoGoGo.
Jeff Bridges & Jessica Lange in King Kong (1976).
Get a load of these two! A dashing Jeff Bridges and a young Jessica Lange back in 1976 when they starred together in the classic monster film King Kong. This was actually Jessica Lang’s very first film role and she was a hit. The film itself was extremely commercially successful, it earned back triple what it cost Paramount Pictures to make it. The film brought in over $90 million dollars worldwide and sat at #5 on Variety's chart of the top domestic (U.S.) moneymakers of 1977. It also won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in addition to receiving nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Sound.
Sally Field, 1965
Pictured here is an adorable Sally Field back in her Gidget days. Gidget, the little girl with big ideas was actually based off a book by author Frederick Kohner (based on his teenage daughter, Kathy). The original book came out in 1957 and spawned five book sequels, films, a television series, and later two novelizations of the films Gidget goes Hawaiian and Gidget Goes to Rome.
The Gidget television series was first aired on ABC from September 15, 1965, to April 21, 1966. Unfortunately, the show wasn't as popular as hoped and it did poorly in the Nielsen ratings. It was canceled at the end of its first season.
Leonard Nimoy playing some Spock Rock in 1968.
As the LA Times so eloquently put it, “Leonard Nimoy's music blurred the line between man and Vulcan.” Out of the many records that Nimoy released both under his real name and as Dr. Spock, “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins” (1968) just may be the most iconic. It’s Spock’s ode to “The Hobbit” and just may very well be the ultimate anthem for Science Fiction/Fantasy fans across the universe. It was kind of hard to tell if he was going for novelty or not but he dropped the Dr. Spock persona the same year and did his own cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and John Hartford's "Love Is Sweeter".
Dolly Parton on the cover of "New Harvest...First Gathering," her 18th solo studio album, released in February 1977.
Pictured here is the lovely Dolly Parton, striking a pose for the cover of “New Harvest...First Gathering”. While this may have been her 18th solo album, it is significant because it’s actually Parton's first self-produced album. This album was also the first time Parton went out of her way to specifically target the pop charts though it ended up being the country charts she topped in the United States. The album only reached # 77 on the pop charts. The album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal for "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher."
The one and only Dolly Parton! (1970's).
Country music icon Dolly Parton made her debut in 1967, with her album Hello, I'm Dolly. She had a steady success throughout the 1960s and well into the 1980s. Dolly herself entered and lost to a male drag queen. Although… the artist couldn’t manage to win a Dolly Parton look alike contest and even lost out to a guy.
She later explained "They had a bunch of Chers and Dollys that year, so I just over-exaggerated -- made my beauty mark bigger, the eyes bigger, the hair bigger, everything," she said, laughing. "All these beautiful drag queens had worked for weeks and months getting their clothes. So I just got in the line and I just walked across, and they just thought I was some little short gay guy.. but I got the least applause."
4 little boys who would grow up and be a part of the most famous band in music history.
Here we have four little Beatles… John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr as adorable as can be. Who would have guessed back then, that these four little darlings would grow up to form one of the most famous and influential rock bands in history?
They formed in 1960 and made significant headway playing in the “underground club scene” and embarking on several mini-tours in and around Britain. By 1963, the phenomenon known as “Beatlemania” was in full effect and this meant these four couldn’t go anywhere without girls screaming, crying, and often throwing their undergarments at them.
23-year-old Marlon Brando Reading for Vogue. Photo by Cecil Beaton, 1947.
Pictured here is a 23-year old Marlon Brando, who is now widely credited with bringing realism to film acting.
The actor and director is mostly remembered for his Academy Award-winning performances as Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront (1954) and Vito Corleone in The Godfather (1972). But he was also in classics such as A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Julius Caesar (1953), The Wild One (1953), Guys and Dolls (1955), Last Tango in Paris (1972), and Apocalypse Now (1979).
Brando was also quite the activist, most notably was his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement. But he stood by many noble causes including several Native American Movements.
1970's Tootsie Pops Ad "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop. The world may never know." Did you try to count?
Ah yes, who could forget this classic commercial from the 1970s? This is where the Tootsie Pops catchphrase was launched: "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?". There were actually three versions of the animated commercial varying in length but the original aired in 1969 and was a full minute long.
In it, a boy questions four animals: a cow, a fox, a turtle and then the owl we’ve all come to know and love. Each animal tells the kid to ask someone else, but the owl snatches up his candy, takes three licks, then takes a big crunchy bite out of it and hands the kid back an empty stick.
A creepily perfect classroom photo, 1956.
As far as public schools back in the 1950s were concerned, the number-one issue in education was school integration. The "separate but equal" doctrine basically referred to keeping white students and black students in separate schools but both given equal opportunities and educations. In practice, this didn’t exactly go as planned. Especially in the south. White schools were given better equipment and books and were better maintained all around.
In 1954, the Supreme Court, in its landmark Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas case, the court ruled that "separate but equal" denied black students equal protection. Integration into the same schools was the only way to ensure equal educations were provided to all students.
A view of Bourbon Street in New Orleans in 1968.
Bourbon Street is a street in the heart of the French Quarter, which is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana and where all the legendary partying goes down. It extends 13 blocks and is lined with bars and clubs of all kinds.
The 1920s through to the 1960s is often referred to as the “Golden Age” on New Orleans. Before the “hippie types” (as the shopkeepers called them) started hanging around, harassing tourists, ruining the historic charms, and were just all around bad for business. Obviously, these fears were unfounded the hippies didn’t diminish anything. New Orleans is still rich with history and bustling with tourist today. Even now, taking a walk down Bourbon Street is like strolling through New Orleans' colorful and lively past.
Bob Dylan checking out records. (1963)
Bob Dylan was one of the most significant American singer and songwriters of our time. He has performed alongside other rock legends such as Tom Petty, George Harrison, and The Grateful Dead. Even when goofing off the man had immense talent, that’s how The Traveling Wilburys formed, as a fortunate accident amongst musical geniuses.
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, 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.
Denzel Washington in the 70's.
Pictured here is a young Denzel Washington back in the 1970s when he first got his start in acting. He is definitely looking much sharper these days... He spent the 70’s and 80’s trying to make a name for himself and now he’s one of the biggest names in Hollywood. His major career break came in 1982 when he starred as Dr. Phillip Chandler in NBC's television hospital drama St. Elsewhere, which ran until 1988.
Once he transitioned into films that was it, he was just in demand all the time and pumping out all kinds of big budget feature films: Malcolm X, Philadelphia, The Pelican Brief, Fallen, The Bone Collector, Training Day, Remember The Titans, American Gangster, The Book of Eli … the list just keeps going.
Diane Lane starred in Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (1982)
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains is a film about three teenage girls who start a punk band. Starring roles are played by Diane Lane, Laura Dern, and Marin Kanter. Lane plays Corinne, who is interviewed by a local news about her town's dwindling economy and ends up going on a tirade (of course this resonates with teen viewers), who begin to see Corinne as a kindred spirit. Despite the fact that her band “The Stains” are pretty terrible, her public rants and extreme punk look garner them a ridiculous amount of attention. Soon she becomes the new face of feminism and a national sensation.
Hard rock band Humble Pie in 1974.
It was January of 1969 when Steve Marriott got together with Greg Ridley, Peter Frampton, and Jerry Shirley to form one of the first supergroups. Just like that, Humble Pie was born. They released their debut single in August that year, "Natural Born Bugie" climbed up to the No. 4 spot on the UK Singles Chart. They quickly followed it up with the album As Safe As Yesterday Is, which hit the No. 16 spot in the UK album charts and was one of the first albums described by the term "heavy metal". Their second album, "Town and Country" featured more acoustic released in the UK during 1969 and songs written by all four band members.
Iggy Pop crowd surfing, 1970
Pictured here is a crowd surfing Iggy Pop, the godfather of punk. Born James Newell Osterberg, Iggy Pop started out drumming with his first band, the Iguanas, in the early '60s. After graduating from high school in 1965, Pop did a brief stint at the University of Michigan before dropping out and shifting his focus back on his music. His heart always belonged to rock & roll… so he decided to form a rock band. In 1967, he dropped his drumsticks and took on frontman status, then teamed with bassist Dave Alexander, guitarist Ron Asheton and his brother, drummer Scott Asheton– thus forming the Psychedelic Stooges.
After Pop and icon David Bowie formed a friendship and started working on projects together, Pop’s career received a massive boost. In 1977, Pop signed with RCA Records as a solo artist and Bowie helped write and produce The Idiot and Lust for Life. These two albums went on to become Pop's most acclaimed albums as a solo artist.
Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David in 1989 before they had more money than us all combined.
Pictured here are two on the most hilariously neurotic talents in the entertainment industry; Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. When Jerry Seinfeld got a deal to develop his show “Seinfeld, he brought in buddy Larry David and the two masterminds went on to create a wholly original “show about nothing”. And it became a wildly popular cultural phenomenon.
Larry David was also the model for the character of George Costanza… so it’s no shocker he ended up getting his own mockumentary type comedy show on HBO in the late 1990s called Curb Your Enthusiasm 1999. Like Seinfeld, it gave a unique and quirky life outlook and it seemed David had yet another huge success on his hands.
JFK interviewed by Walter Cronkite, 1963.
Pictured here is President John F. Kennedy during his interview with CBS Evening News Anchor Walter Cronkite. The interview delved into the President’s thoughts on how four main issues of the time would affect his chances of reelection in 1964. Those issues were: civil rights, unemployment, the Partial Test Ban Treaty, and the Vietnam War.
Sadly, these issues didn’t actually end up being issues for JFK’s chances of reelection at all. The 35th President of the United States was only able to serve as our country’s leader from January 1961 up until the moment of his assassination in November 1963.
Jim Morrison on the phone, 1960's.
Pictured here is legendary Doors singer Jim Morrison. The man who once joked about becoming a member of the "27 Club"... and then did just that. As he predicted, Morrison’s fame quadruped after his death in July of 1971. He was found dead in a bathtub by his girlfriend Pamela Courson. No autopsy was performed but heart failure is listed as the cause of death. Courson stood to inherit Jim’s entire estate but died of a heroin overdose before seeing a penny of it. She was also 27 at the time of her death. This reinforced the myth of the 27 club for the public–that somehow Morrison and all icons who died at 27, were somehow fated.
Jimi Hendrix, 1961 (101st Airborne Division) .
What many people don’t realize, is that two years before Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Jimi Hendrix began performing, he was enlisted in the United States Army. Here he is, as a member of the 101st Airborne Division back in 1961. After a year he was honorably discharged and moved to Tennessee and shifted his focus on music. It was in 1966 when Jimi signed with his first manager and landed three songs on the UK top ten hits. Before he knew it, Jimi Hendrix was a household name, landing major events. In 1969 he headlined Woodstock and became the highest paid performer in the world.
Johnny Cash meets Elvis Presley in the early days, 1956.
According to Johnny Cash, "The first time I saw Elvis, singing from a flatbed truck at a Katz drugstore opening on Lamar Avenue, two or three hundred people, mostly teenage girls, had come out to see him. With just one single to his credit, he sang those two songs over and over. That's the first time I met him." It was after this performance that Cash went up to speak to Presley, and Presley invited him to his next performance at the Eagle's Nest. The two icons talked about music after the show, no business, just talk of the Blues and good ol' Rock and Roll.
One of the Saturday morning cartoon shows in the 1960's...Quick Draw McGraw. What was the name of his sidekick?
This classic portion of the Saturday Morning Cartoon lineup, was known as Quick Draw McGraw or just Quick Draw. The anthropomorphic horse who rocked a red cowboy hat and blue bandana, was voiced by Daws Butler. As you may remember, Quick Draw was usually accompanied by his little deputy with a Mexican accent (who called him Queeks Draw). This little guy was a burro and his name was Baba Looey (also voiced by Daws Butler). This cartoon originally aired between 1959 and 1962 and was one of six TV shows to win an Emmy Award in 1960. Quick Draw McGraw and Baba Looey appeared in several other cartoon specials including The Yogi Bear Show, Yogi’s Gang, and Samurai Jack among others.
Ringo Starr taking a selfie, 1962.
Ringo Starr of The Beatles isn’t just a drummer, he’s a photographer and he’s spent years honing his skills. He has also been a long-time fan of the selfie. Nowadays his photographs can be seen in exhibits and his work has even been published a book titled: Photograph: Ringo Starr. In it, Starr shares everything from childhood memories to his time spent in The Beatles. It’s full of rare, unseen photographs taken by the icon himself.
In 2015, he told Brenda Emmanus of the BBC he started taking photographs around 19 years old. He distinctly remembered making a day of photographing himself at the beach in Liverpool around this age.
Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes during the 1960's.
Pictured here is a young Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes back in the 1960's. 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. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Sarah Jessica Parker and her beau at the time, Robert Downey Jr. in 1989.
Pictured here are Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr. back in 1989. They were quite the pair for nearly 8 years before breaking up in 1991. While on Howard Stern’s show back in 2016, Parker discussed how it felt after having just seen Downy for the first time in about 24 years. She said it was “surprisingly not weird” and went on to say she always cared for him and worried about his drinking and drug use, which was evidently a huge issue during their relationship.
It was during a candid interview with Parade magazine back in 2008, that Downey spoke about his relationship with Parker and how his substance abuse is what led to their breakup.
“I was so selfish, I liked to drink, and I had a drug problem, and that didn’t jibe with Sarah Jessica because it is the furthest thing from what she is. She provided me a home and understanding. She tried to help me. She was so miffed when I didn’t get my act together.”
Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975).
The 1975 comedy-drama classic, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is arguably one of Jack Nicholson’s best performances. The film itself is considered one of the best ever made. Nicholson stars alongside an incredible supporting cast of Louise Fletcher, William Redfield, Will Sampson and Brad Dourif.
In it, Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) thinks his transfer out of a prison farm into a mental institution will be smooth sailing. However, Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) quickly proves him wrong with her abuse of patients, medication, and electroshock sessions. It becomes a battle of wills between the rebellious McMurphy and the iron fist of Ratched.
Senator John F. Kennedy, Soapy Williams and John Swainson drive down Woodward Ave., Detroit, 1960, during the annual Labor Day celebration.
This photograph features a smiling Senator John F. Kennedy, Soapy Williams, and John Swainson all taking a drive down Woodward Avenue and heading towards Cadillac Square during the annual Labor Day celebration. JFK served in the House of Representatives from 1947-1953. Then it was on to the U.S. Senate in 1953 until 1960. It was during this time that he also became a best-selling author, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Profiles in Courage in 1957. He would go on to serve as the 35th President of the United States from January of 1961 until his assassination in November 1963.
Sitting pretty on a Classic Honda in the 1970's. What a rush!
Back in the 1960s, Honda sought to capture and build upon the spirit of English motorcycles and it seems they pulled it off rather splendidly. Initially, they were in great demand in developed countries, but sales in America began to drop around 1966. So, The Dream CB450 was released in 1965 as a high-performance bike and sales were back on the rise. They soon released a larger model to compete with Britain's Triumph with a 3-cylinder 750 cc engine. By October of 1967, Honda's new larger cc model had been defined as having a 750 cc engine with a maximum output of 67 horsepower (which was one more than Harley-Davidson's 1300 cc unit, whose maximum output was 66 horsepower).
Steve McQueen and his first wife, Neile Adams, dancing to jazz in their kitchen. (1960's)
Pictured here is the “King of Cool” actor Steve McQueen, best known for films such as The Great Escape, Papillon, Bullitt, and The Thomas Crown Affair. Swept up in his arms is the first and foremost Mrs. McQueen, Neile Adams. Adams went on to write, My Husband, My Friend, an account of her 16-year turbulent marriage to the Hollywood icon.
It was McQueen’s repeated affairs which ed to Adams having an affair of her own… a cycle that completely destroyed their marriage. As she later put it during the 20 year anniversary of her book, “Even though Steve had many affairs, he never expected me to have one. He put me high on a pedestal and then I fell – with a thud.”
Teen pop idol Debbie Gibson, getting lost in your eyes...(late 80's).
Deborah Ann "Debbie" Gibson released her debut album Out of the Blue back in 1987 and teens everywhere couldn’t get enough of her. The album had several international hits on it and was later certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.
Electric Youth came out in 1989 and was double-platinum had yet another number-one hit on it, "Lost In Your Eyes". Unlike many young pop artists, Gibson was the sole songwriter on all of her singles that reached the Top 20 of the Hot 100 charts. She was also the youngest female artist in the industry to write, produce, and perform a Billboard Hot 100 number-one single.
The epitome of elegance and style, Audrey Hepburn. (1956)
Style, grace, elegance… these are the words that come to mind when Audry Hepburn is mentioned. Active during the Golden Age of Hollywood, Hepburn is the embodiment of all that was sophisticated and glamourous of her era.
She’s been recognized as both a film and fashion icon: ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen legend in Golden Age Hollywood, in addition to being inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame.
Her poise must come from her ballet studies as a child and then later her performances as a chorus girl in West End musical theatre productions. She was destined to become an icon.
The Give A Show Projector was great fun! Who had one of these?
Once upon a time, a home VCR was inconceivable so the Give-A-Show Projector was pretty much pure genius and it let kids bring movies home… almost. It worked more like a slide show but back in the 1960s this was a groundbreaking toy.
Kids were already familiar with the concept, having been introduced to the Viewmaster as far back as the 1950s. But this was for the wall instead of your face, so everybody could look at the same slides together. The Give-A-Show Projector was basically a mini slide projector and flashlight with a side slot for aslide consisting of six frames of cartoony entertainment.
The last known photo of Princess Diana before the accident in 1997.
This is one of the last known photo of Princess Diana before the tragic accident which claimed the lives of driver Henri Paul, Princess Diana herself and her lover Dodi Al Fayed back in 1997. Only Diana’s bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones survived the crash into the Pont de l'Alma tunnel that day.
There were allegedly photographs captured right before the accident, of the car and its occupants. This is what fueled more conspiracy theories about her death and put the blame on the Paparazzi that was pursuing her that day. There are many strange circumstances surrounding the accident and the aftermath. A satisfactory answer as to what caused the accident has yet to be determined.
Wow! Look at the prices of a McDonald's menu in 1972! Good ole days...
Nothing makes you want a time machine more than a cost of living comparison. Sure average salaries were lower than they are now but if you break it down, today’s cost of living is not as proportionate to average salary as it once was. One person working was enough to maintain a household, now it takes two. An average salary $7,844 seems low with today’s average of $48,098 but look at the cost of everything else. The average cost of a house was about two years salary. Now a modest house is about $300,000; that’s six-years salary.
Tim Allen's Mugshot after being arrested for possession of over 1.43 lb (650 grams) of cocaine, 1978.
Why yes that is America’s beloved sitcom dad from Home Improvement and Last Man Standing, Tim Allen. As it turns out, Allen was quite the coke dealer back in the 1970s and he almost went away for life after getting busted with enough coke on him to get charged with trafficking.
It was on October 2, 1978, that Tim Allen was arrested in an airport for possession of over 650 grams (1.4 lb) of cocaine. To avoid spending the rest of his life in prison he decided to plead guilty and provide all the names he had of dealers in the area. In exchange, he was sentenced three to seven years. He was paroled in June of 1981 after serving just 2 years and 4 months.
Two of martial arts greatest fighters, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. (1973)
Born Chan Kong-sang, martial artist, actor, director, and stuntman Jackie Chan is known for his acrobatic fighting style, impeccable comic timing, and his impressive use of improvised weapons. Chan has been acting since the 1960s and is trained in Kung Fu, Hapkido. He has appeared in over 150 films and prepared most of his own stunts.
Pictured here alongside Chan is fellow actor and martial arts expert Bruce Lee. As an actor, Bruce Lee was introduced to the film industry by his father when he was young. He appeared in several films as a child actor but didn’t reach worldwide recognition until adulthood– Now he is an icon.
Jack Frost. Jack Nicholson chilling out during the filming of The Shining in Colorado, 1980.
Based on Stephen King’s 1977 novel of the same name, The Shining as a film envisioned by Stanley Kubrick is a staple in the horror movie genre. Jack Nicholson plays Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic, who decides a job as the off-season caretaker of the very creepy and isolated Overlook Hotel, will be the perfect opportunity to write his book. Unfortunately for Jack, his wife Wendy Torrance (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd), the hotel has a dark past and is haunted by violent spirits who have decided they want the Torrence's to stay forever and ever.
Alain Delon and Romy Schneider, 1962
In the halcyon days of Hollywood, Alain Delon and Romy Schneider's romance was the stuff of legend. The two stars met on the set of "Christine" in 1958, and it wasn't long before they became engaged. However, as often happens in Tinseltown, their love story ended in heartbreak.
Delon's dalliance with Nico, a talented German actress and singer, was the reason behind their split in 1963. The press was rife with scandalous rumors that Delon was the father of Nico's child, Christian Aaron, who was born in August of 1962. But despite the prying eyes of the paparazzi, the true nature of their relationship remains shrouded in mystery.
Schneider didn't let the end of her relationship with Delon break her spirit. She moved on to marry Harry Meyen in 1966, with whom she had a son, David Christopher, before the two parted ways in 1975. She then found love once again with Daniel Biasini, and the two had a daughter, Sarah Magdalena. Schneider's life was filled with drama both on and off the screen, but her resilience and talent endeared her to audiences all over the world.
David Bowie, 1976
David Bowie was an iconic figure of the 1970s. With his unique blend of music, fashion, and stage presence, he pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in the mainstream. His persona, Ziggy Stardust, became a symbol of rebellion and freedom for a generation of young people. His music was innovative, fusing rock, pop, and electronic influences to create a sound that was entirely his own.
The Monkees Monkeying Around
In the 1960s, the Monkees became a sensation. The band was created for a television show, but their music soon became incredibly popular. Their catchy pop songs and good looks made them teen idols, and they sold millions of records. The Monkees were unlike anything that had come before, and their influence can still be felt today. They paved the way for boy bands like NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, proving that manufactured pop could be just as successful as organic rock.
Disco was a major force in the 1970s. With its infectious beats, glamorous fashion, and danceable rhythms, it took the world by storm. Clubs like Studio 54 became synonymous with the disco movement, and everyone from celebrities to regular people wanted to be a part of it. The disco era was a time of liberation and freedom, where people could let loose and be themselves. It was a reaction to the more serious and politically charged music of the 1960s, and it captured the spirit of the times.
In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr met with Malcom X. The two men were leaders of the civil rights movement, but they had different approaches. King believed in peaceful protest and nonviolence, while Malcom X was more militant. The meeting between the two men was historic, and it showed that even people with vastly different viewpoints could come together to work towards a common goal. Although their methods differed, they both shared a desire for racial equality and justice.
Martin Luther King meets Malcolm X (1964)
In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr met with Malcom X. The two men were leaders of the civil rights movement, but they had different approaches. King believed in peaceful protest and nonviolence, while Malcom X was more militant. The meeting between the two men was historic, and it showed that even people with vastly different viewpoints could come together to work towards a common goal. Although their methods differed, they both shared a desire for racial equality and justice.
Who says former First Ladies can't boogie?
The renowned Studio 54 welcomed all who were of legal age, regardless of their social standing or age. However, they were expected to meet the club's high standards of influence.
In the photograph, we see the legendary dancer and choreographer Martha Graham, the former First Lady of the United States, Betty Ford, and Studio 54's co-owner Steve Rubell. As it turns out, Jack Ford was not the only member of the Ford family who paid a visit to the iconic nightclub. His mother, Betty Ford, also dressed up for a night out to experience the buzz that surrounded Studio 54.
Dolly Parton petting a horse at Studio 54
It is said that the curious and the bizarre were no strangers to Studio 54, both inside and out.
Here, captured for posterity, we see the talented singer, producer, and actress Dolly Parton showering affection upon a horse outside the hallowed doors of the legendary disco club. Yet this is not the only photograph depicting an equine visitor in this particular locale, for it was none other than Bianca Jagger herself who famously made a grand entrance to her thirtieth birthday party astride a magnificent white stallion.
Indeed, one of the strategies employed by co-owner Steve Rubell to retain the patronage of his glittering clientele was to shower them with attention and extravagant gifts, as befits those who were deemed to be worthy of the highest honors.
The Cast of Star Wars, 1977
In this photograph, the original cast of Star Wars stands before the camera, free from the elaborate costumes that would soon make them household names. The charismatic Harrison Ford, in his role as the roguish Han Solo, stands tall and confident, while David Prowse's imposing presence hints at the villainy of his character, Darth Vader. Peter Mayhew's towering frame embodies the beloved Chewbacca, and the petite Carrie Fisher exudes strength and grace as Princess Leia. R2-D2, the lovable droid played by Kenny Baker, rounds out the group, while Mark Hamil's fresh-faced Luke Skywalker stands at the center of it all.
It was during the making of George Lucas's groundbreaking film "Star Wars" that this snapshot was taken, a moment in time that would launch a cultural phenomenon that continues to capture imaginations to this day. The film, a sweeping space opera and classic tale of good versus evil, follows the Rebel Alliance's mission to destroy the planet-destroying Death Star, led by the fearless Princess Leia. The original trilogy, of which this was the first installment, captivated audiences worldwide and set the standard for a new era of special effects-driven filmmaking.
Here’s young Harrison Ford in a kitchen in the late 1970’s
In the 1970s, Harrison Ford was a man of many talents. He worked as an actor and a carpenter, constructing elaborate pieces for the rich and famous. Ford's passion for carpentry began when he was still a struggling actor in Hollywood, and he realized that he needed a backup plan. So he started building cabinets and doing other odd jobs for friends and colleagues. His work eventually caught the attention of some of Hollywood's elite, and soon he was getting requests from celebrities like George Lucas and Joan Didion. Even after achieving stardom as an actor, Ford continued to work as a carpenter on the side. His dedication to his craft is evident in the intricacy and beauty of his creations.
Ian Fleming and Sean Connery on the set of the first James Bond film, 1962.
Sean Connery's portrayal of James Bond in the early 1960s was nothing short of iconic. With his rugged good looks and effortless charm, Connery embodied the suave spy with a license to kill. His performances in "Dr. No," "From Russia with Love," and "Goldfinger" set the standard for all future Bond actors. His Bond was tough, witty, and always ready with a quip. But he was also vulnerable, with a depth of emotion that added complexity to the character. Connery's legacy as Bond is a testament to his talent and charisma, and he will forever be remembered as the original 007.
Barack Obama with his Mother Ann Dunham, 1960s.
Growing up in the 1960s, Barack Obama experienced a world in flux. The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, and the fight for racial equality was at the forefront of American society. Obama's own family history reflected this struggle, with his Kenyan father and American mother facing challenges due to their interracial marriage. Despite this, Obama remained optimistic and hopeful about the future. He was a gifted student and a natural leader, and he quickly made a name for himself in his community. His experiences in the 1960s would shape his worldview and lay the foundation for his future political career.
Pink Floyd, 1973
Pink Floyd's music in the 1970s was nothing short of revolutionary. With albums like "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall," they pushed the boundaries of what was possible in rock music. Their sound was ethereal and otherworldly, with soaring guitar solos and haunting vocals. But their music was also deeply political, with songs that addressed themes like war, government control, and societal oppression. Their performances were legendary, with elaborate stage shows that included lasers, pyrotechnics, and giant inflatables. Pink Floyd was more than just a band; they were a cultural phenomenon, and their influence can still be felt in music today.
