Bionic Disco

70s Commercials: Dodge ‘Power Wagons,’ Polaroid, Dean Witter, GM (1977-78)

Posted on May 24, 2022 by David Moore

1977 and 1978 on display today. Tune in for commercials featuring Dodge Power Wagon pickups, Polaroid One-Step cameras (with Vernee Watson and Barrie Youngfellow), Dean Witter, and General Motors.

’79 DODGE ‘POWER WAGONS’ COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{1979 model Dodge ‘Power Wagon’ 4-wheel drive pickup trucks commercial. Spot aired November 1978.}

POLAROID ONE-STEP CAMERA COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Polaroid One-Step camera commercial featuring actors Vernee Watson (‘Welcome Back, Kotter’) and Barrie Youngfellow (‘It’s A Living.’) End narration by James Garner. Spot aired July 1978.}

DEAN WITTER ANIMATED COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{Animated Dean Witter investment firm commercial. Narration by Ernie Anderson. Spot aired November 1977.}

GENERAL MOTORS ‘1980S DESIGN’ COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{General Motors commercial featuring engineer Fred Porter and vehicle research & design for the 1980s. Spot aired December 1977.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Doritos, Arthur Treacher’s, Wiener Wrap, Cheerios (1976)

More Dodge: 70s Spots: Dodge Pickup Trucks (Catfish Hunter, 1975 & Chuck Connors, 1976)

More Polaroid: 70s Spots: Coast Soap, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Miller Beer, Polaroid (1979)

More General Motors: 70s Spots: ’75 General Motors Compact Cars (1974)

Music For Monday: People’s Choice, ‘Party Is A Groovy Thing’ (1974)

Posted on May 23, 2022 by David Moore

Here’s a band and song I just uncovered today and wanted to share – People’s Choice with “Party Is A Groovy Thing.” People’s Choice was a Philadelphia-based group probably best-known for the funky-discofied “Do It Any Way You Wanna” which hit #11 on the Hot 100 in 1975.

“Party Is A Groovy Thing” was written by bandleader Frank Brunson and produced by Gamble and Huff. The vid below captures the band performing on Soul Train, likely circa ’74 (when the single released) or ’75 (when the tune appeared on the Boogie Down U.S.A. LP.) It’s a good one. Hit the clicker.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE, ‘PARTY IS A GROOVY THING’ (‘SOUL TRAIN,’ 1974)

Previously on Music for Monday: Devo, ‘Blockhead’ (Live, 1979)

70s Commercials: Doritos, Arthur Treacher’s, Wiener Wrap, Cheerios (1976)

Posted on May 21, 2022 by David Moore

In the “Better Late Than Never Department” – we have Friday’s set of seventies commercials. This hearty, edible batch keeps a focus on 1976. You’ll find spots for Nacho Cheese Doritos (with long-running representative Avery Schreiber), Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips (with George Dzundza), Pillsbury Wiener Wrap (with Adam Rich & Moosie Drier), and Cheerios.

How about that “free inside” Cheerios Tricky Tracer toy? I had one, and if memory serves, it didn’t quite work as advertised. It was too flimsy to draw a steady line. Oh well, you get what you pay for I suppose. Roll ’em!

DORITOS NACHO CHEESE COMMERCIAL (SCHREIBER, 1976)

_{Frito-Lay Nacho Cheese Flavor Doritos Brand Tortilla Chips commercial featuring actor Avery Schreiber in a cheese shop. Spot aired December 1976.}

ARTHUR TREACHER’S FISH & CHIPS COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips commercial featuring actor George Dzundza as the interviewee. Spot aired December 1976.}

PILLSBURY WIENER WRAP COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Pillsbury Wiener Wrap commercial featuring actors Adam Rich and Moosie Drier as hungry youngsters and the Pillsbury Doughboy (voice by Paul Frees) as himself. Spot aired March 1976 (produced in ’75).}

CHEERIOS CEREAL ‘TRICKY TRACER’ COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{General Mills Cheerios cereal commercial featuring a ‘Tricky Tracer’ toy give-away. Spot aired November 1976.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Armour Bacon, Neo-Synephrine, Nytol, Vanish (1974-75)

More Doritos: 70s Commercials: Doritos With Avery Schreiber, Betty Crocker, Pepsi Light, Kraft (1978-79)

More Arthur Treacher’s: 70s Spots (Winter Holidays): Arthur Treacher’s ‘Santa’ (1979)

More Wiener Wrap: 70s Spots: Pillsbury Wiener Wrap, International Coffees (1976)

More Cheerios: Daily 70s Spot: Cheerios Animated Blackboard Stick Figure #1 (1978)

70s Commercials: Armour Bacon, Neo-Synephrine, Nytol, Vanish (1974-75)

Posted on May 18, 2022 by David Moore

It’s a mid-seventies thing this time around with Armour Star Bacon leading off. Following that, we’ve got Neo-Synephrine nasal spray, Nytol, and Automatic Vanish. Let the wild fun unspool!

ARMOUR STAR BACON COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{Armour Star Bacon commercial featuring an underappreciated mother. Spot aired March 1974.}

NEO-SYNEPHRINE SPRAY COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{Neo-Synephrine nasal spray & drops commercial featuring old photographs. Spot aired March 1974.}

NYTOL ‘RESTFUL SLEEP’ COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{Nytol sleeping aid commercial featuring yawning actors. Narration by Mason Adams. Spot aired November 1975.}

AUTOMATIC VANISH COMMERCIAL (1975)

^{Automatic Vanish commercial featuring a see-through toilet bowl. Spot aired Spring 1975.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: ‘No Jelly’ Candy Bar, Avis, Grecian Formula, Liquid Gold (1972-73)

More Armour: 70s Commercials: Canada Dry, Armour Bacon, Anacin, Ford LTD (1971-72)

More Vanish: Saturday 70s Spots: Vanish & Calgon (1974)

Music For Monday: Devo, ‘Blockhead’ (Live, 1979)

Posted on May 16, 2022 by David Moore

In honor of the band’s blistering and beautiful set I witnessed on Saturday at the Cruel World Festival – here’s Devo. The band perform “Blockhead” on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert in 1979. The original tune can be found on the Duty Now for the Future LP and was written by Bob and Mark Mothersbaugh. Enjoy, spuds!

DEVO, ‘BLOCKHEAD’ (LIVE, 1979)

Previously on Music for Monday: Melba Moore, ‘I Got Love’ (Live, 1970)

More Devo: Mood Music: Devo, ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’

70s Commercials: ‘No Jelly’ Candy Bar, Avis, Grecian Formula, Liquid Gold (1972-73)

Posted on May 13, 2022 by David Moore

The vintage memories today are circa 1972 and ’73. I’ve got the usual batch of four spots for you, starting with Peter Paul’s short-lived Peanut Butter with No Jelly candy bar. Following that, you’ll find a mildly humorous Avis spot, Grecian Formula 16, and Scott’s Liquid Gold. Have a wonderful weekend!

PETER PAUL ‘NO JELLY’ CANDY BAR COMMERCIAL (1972)