This Is What Pop Culture Looked Like In 1976
The world before Star Wars was very different, especially in pop culture. For example, people then loved rock bands way more than fictional characters. 1976 had a lot of great music to enjoy at home or an honest-to-goodness real rock concert, and fashion shifted towards comfort before adding flashy colors and neon to everything. The 80s honestly had nothing on this decade.
The seventies spawned a number of cultural staples that are with us today, from Apple to Family Feud toiconic characters that haven't worn out their welcome at all. So, this is what pop culture looked like in 1976, whether you were part of it or not.
Bicentennial Celebration
The US of A celebrated 200 years as an independent nation with a party like no other.
Apple I
This is Steve Wozniak's prototype for the Apple I, the first computer by a company that was born in 1976. Not sure what they're up to now.
ABBA's Success
After winning Eurovision in 1974, the Swedish band became a pop culture phenomenon. In 1976, they released Arrival, featuring Dancing Queen among other hits.
McDonald's all over the world
The fast food chain was growing rapidly and going overseas, and it felt like an American victory.
1976's King Kong
One of the best versions, according to a lot of fans, and a great mix of classic and modern costumes for Halloween.
High School Years
This is what a high schooler looked like in 1976.
Frampton Comes Alive!
Best-selling album of the year. Multiple-platinum-selling record. Everyone had a copy. It was almost mandatory at the time.
Electronics Department
This started to be a nice place to hang out and check what was coming next. And what was coming next changed the game forever.
VHS is born
JVC released the JVC HR-3300 VIDSTAR, the first VHS-based VCR. They competed against Sony's Betamax and won, installing a new home video format for the ages.
A very Clint Eastwood Year
With John Wayne on his way out, Clint Eastwood became the face of Westerns in movies. In 1976, he starred in The Outlaw Josey Wales as well as the third Dirty Harry movie, The Enforcer. A real action hero.
Denim Time
People were moving away from formal clothing, and denim took over the world as a great middle ground between that and hippie attire.
All the President's Men
The Watergate scandal was in the past, but Hollywood brought it back with one of the best political thrillers of the decade.
Taxi Driver
Scorsese was sharing a cautionary tale, like he often does, but Travis Bickle became a twisted icon thanks to a catchphrase and a mohawk.
Rocky
Sylvester Stallone bet everything on his original movie, and it paid off big time.
Ramones
The punk rock band released their first album and debuted professionally at CBGB to change the times and punk itself.
Montreal Olympics
The USSR came in first, followed by Germany and the United States.
AC/DC goes international
After being as successful as they could be in Australia, High Voltage came out all over the world and blew people's minds.
Halloween Time
Costumes started to be inspired by the newest movies available, and Jaws (1975) was a big fan favorite.
4th of July
There was no other like it.
Family Feud
The show started in 1976 and became a pop culture icon in no time, dominating prime time, and giving Richard Dawson the chance to kiss all women.