Category Archives: Popular Music 1970s

John Lennon appears at March of Dimes benefit in New York’s Central Park 40 years ago this afternoon (Apr 28 1974)


Video: 'John Lennon & Harry Nilsson in Central Park'

(Sunday, April 28, 1974) — Former Beatle John Lennon appeared briefly with Harry Nilsson today at a March of Dimes benefit concert in New York’s Central Park.

ABBA wins Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Waterloo’ 40 years ago today (Apr 6 1974)


Video: 'ABBA - Waterloo (Eurovision Song Contest 6 April 1974 - Brighton [HQ])'

(Saturday, April 6, 1974) — Swedish pop group ABBA today won the Eurovision Song Contest held in Brighton, England, with a performance of the song “Waterloo.”

‘The Sting’ wins Best Picture at 46th Academy Awards 40 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1974)


Video: '1973 Oscar Winners'

(Tuesday, April 2, 1974, 7:00 p.m. PDT)The Sting, a caper film involving a complicated plot by two professional grifters to con a mob boss, won seven Oscars tonight at the 46th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and George Roy Hill for Best Director (click here to watch 16 videos from the ceremonies). Continue reading ‘The Sting’ wins Best Picture at 46th Academy Awards 40 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1974)

Lennon ‘riot’ in Hollywood night club 40 years ago this hour (Mar 12 1974)

(Tuesday, March 12, 1974, 12:20 a.m. PST) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon got into a fight with a photographer outside a club this morning in Los Angeles. Lennon and Harry Nilsson had been heckling comedian Tommy Smothers and had been thrown out of the club.

Flack, Wonder are Grammy stars 40 years ago this hour (Mar 2 1974)


Video: '16th Grammy Awards 1973' (7 videos)

(Saturday, March 2, 1974, 10:00 p.m. EST) — Stevie Wonder, the blind young singer-songwriter who survived a near-fatal auto accident in the summer of 1973, capped his recording career tonight winning four times at the 16th Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Innervision.

Singer Roberta Flack shared with Wonder the top honors, winning the Song of the Year category with her popular “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”

Annual American Music Awards debuts 40 years ago this hour (Feb 19 1974)


Video: 'AMAs 1974' (17-video playlist; second and third videos are from 1976)

(Tuesday, February 19, 1974, 8:30 p.m. EST) — Dick Clark staged the first American Music Awards tonight as an alternative to the industry-dominated Grammy Awards. The winners of the American Music Awards are determined by the votes of music fans. “Tie A Yellow Ribbon” by Tony Orlando and Dawn won for favorite pop single that year.

The Who asks for volunteer after drummer Keith Moon collapses twice during concert 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'The Who 11-20-1973 Daly City Cow Palace'

(Tuesday, November 20, 1973) — The Who drummer Keith Moon collapsed twice tonight during the opening concert for the the rock group’s Quadrophenia U.S. tour at the Cow Palace in Daly City, a suburb just south of San Francisco, apparently because of jet lag. Continue reading The Who asks for volunteer after drummer Keith Moon collapses twice during concert 40 years ago today (1973)

David Bowie’s first TV special ‘The 1980 Floor Show’ airs on NBC 40 years ago this hour (1973)


Video: '1980 Floor Show'

(Saturday, November 17, 1973, 1:00 a.m. EDT) — David Bowie’s first TV special The 1980 Floor Show, the first appearance of Bowie since his much publicized retirement on July 3, 1973, at the Hammersmith Odeon and his last appearance as “Ziggy Stardust,” aired tonight on NBC.

Parsons’ manager fined for stealing singer’s body 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'The Extraordinary - Gram Parsons - 1995'

(Monday, November 5, 1973) — Singer Gram Parsons’ manager, Phil Kaufman, was fined $300 today for stealing Parsons’ body from the Los Angeles International Airport. The body was cremated instead of taken to Parsons’ funeral. Kaufman claimed that it was Parsons’ wish to be cremated.

John Lennon interviewed on Malibu Beach, California 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Imagine John Lennon Documentation HD part 6' (Nov. 1, 1973, at :49-1:40)

(Thursday, November 1, 1973) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon was interviewed today by Elliott Mintz of Channel 7’s ABC Eyewitness News on Malibu Beach, California, to promote his new album Mind Games (click here to watch more of the interview). Continue reading John Lennon interviewed on Malibu Beach, California 40 years ago today (1973)