Bionic Disco

70s Commercials: Burger King, Bac-Os, Lena Horne, Pontiac Phoenix (1979)

Posted on April 5, 2022 by David Moore

It’s a 1979 kinda day here at the ‘Disco. I’ve lined up a fine quartet of commercials featuring Burger King, Betty Crocker Bac-Os, Lena Horne for Vision Center, and the 1980 Pontiac Phoenix. Enjoy with or without ketchup.

BURGER KING ‘OLD TIMEY’ COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{Burger King commercial featuring silent movie title cards and the ‘Burger King and I’ tune. Spot aired May 1979.}

BAC-OS COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{Animated/live-action Betty Crocker Bac-Os bacon-flavored bits commercial featuring a talking salad. Spot aired March 1979.}

LENA HORNE FOR VISION CENTER EYEGLASSES (NYC, 1979)

_{New York area Hillman Kohan Vision Center commercial featuring musician Lena Horne. Spot aired August 1979.}

’80 PONTIAC PHOENIX COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{1980 model Pontiac Phoenix commercial featuring a coupe and 5-door hatchback. Spot aired April 1979.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: AMF Sporting Gear, Toyota Corona, Firestone ‘Kings Island,’ Gaines-Burgers (1977-78)

More Burger King: 70s Spots: ‘Burger King And I’ (1978 & ’79)

More Pontiac: Daily 70s Ad : Pontiac Safari Wagon (1978)

Music For Monday: Blondie, ‘Denis’ (1978)

Posted on April 4, 2022 by David Moore

Happy Monday! Here’s Blondie performing “Denis” on Europe’s Musikladen in 1978. Blondie’s version of “Denis” appeared on the Plastic Letters LP and hit #1 in Belgium and The Netherlands and #2 in the UK. Play it!

BLONDIE, ‘DENIS’ (LIVE, 1978)

Previously on Music for Monday: Three Dog Night, ‘Black & White’ (Live, 1972)

More Blondie: Music For Monday: Blondie, ‘(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear’ (1978)

70s Commercials: AMF Sporting Gear, Toyota Corona, Firestone ‘Kings Island,’ Gaines-Burgers (1977-78)

Posted on April 1, 2022 by David Moore

Two spots from 1977 today, and two from ’78. You’ll find an animated spot for AMF which seems influenced by Terry Gilliam, the ’79 Toyota Corona Liftback, Firestone at Kings Island theme park, and Gaines-Burgers dog food.

I can’t see Kings Island and not think of a certain 197 3 episode of The Brady Bunch and canisters of lost blueprints. Sharp eyes will notice many of the same Hanna-Barbera characters roaming the park as well as the same uniforms on the folks selling drinks. Roll ’em and enjoy.

AMF SPORTING GEAR ‘RECREATION’ COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{Animated AMF sporting goods commercial featuring famous literary figures and Harley-Davidson, Voit, Hatteras, and Head brands. Spot aired in 1978 (best guess based on similar AMF spots).}

’79 TOYOTA CORONA LIFTBACK COMMERCIAL (1978)

_{1979 model Toyota Corona Liftback Sedan commercial featuring a famous jingle. Spot aired December 1978.}

FIRESTONE ‘KINGS ISLAND THEME PARK’ COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{Firestone products commercial featuring Cincinnati, Ohio’s Kings Island theme park. Spot aired October 1977.}

GAINES-BURGERS ‘CHECKERS’ COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{Gaines-Burgers dog food commercial featuring a know-it-all and a game of checkers. Spot aired March 1977.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Sanka, Ford LTD II, Speed Stick, Superscope Radio (1976)

More AMF: Daily 70s Ad: AMF Roadmaster Super Bike ‘Easy Riders’ (1970)

More Toyota: 70s Spots: A-1 (Andy Griffith), Hamburger Helper, Toyota Corona & Mercury Marquis (1971-75)

More Firestone: 70s Spots: Firestone ‘Mini-Sport’ & Shell ‘Pancake Lube’ (1971)

More Kings Island: Daily 70s Ad: Kings Island ‘Happy Place’ (1975)

More Gaines-Burgers: 70s Commercials: Smack It! Board Game, Gaines-Burgers, Revlon Flex, Nestle Hot Cocoa (1975-78)

70s Commercials: Sanka, Ford LTD II, Speed Stick, Superscope Radio (1976)

Posted on March 29, 2022 by David Moore

We’re stepping off the nostalgia bus in 1976 today. Our quartet of commercials feature Sanka Brand Decaffeinated Coffee (with Jimmy Baio), the ’77 Ford LTD II, Mennen Speed Stick, and a Superscope portable radio. I hope you will be flooded with warm memories.

SANKA COFFEE ‘LOVING CUP’ COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Sanka Brand Decaffeinated Coffee commercial featuring a ‘loving cup’ theme. The son appears to be actor Jimmy Baio. Narration by Peter Thomas. Spot aired March 1976.}

’77 FORD LTD II COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{1977 model Ford LTD II commercial featuring a flight of fancy jingle. Spot aired December 1976.}

MENNEN SPEED STICK COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Mennen Speed Stick deodorant commercial featuring a comparison the aerosol sprays. Spot aired July 1976.}

SUPERSCOPE PORTABLE RADIO COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Superscope AM/FM portable radio commercial featuring a European holiday. Spot aired March 1976.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Tootsie Roll (Kukla, Fran & Ollie), Eureka, PAM, Goodyear (1974-75)

More Sanka: 70s Spots: Sanka Coffee (1972)

More Ford LTD: Rad Ads: Ford LTD Trio (1978)

More Speed Stick: 70s Spots: Trailways Bus (Claude Akins) & Speed Stick (1976)

More Superscope: Daily 70s Spot #370: Superscope Tape Recorder (1977)

Music For Monday: Three Dog Night, ‘Black & White’ (Live, 1972)

Posted on March 28, 2022 by David Moore

Here’s Three Dog Night (or, at least, One Dog Night plus the band) performing “Black & White” on Germany’s Beat-Club program in 1972.

“Black & White” was originally recorded by Pete Seeger in the fifties, and later in 1971 by Greyhound who had a hit with the tune in the UK. Three Dog Night’s 1972 version went all the way to the top of the charts in the US and featured on the Seven Separate Fools LP.

This is a song I distinctly remember filling the airwaves and singing along to at the tender age of six. Have a listen to a live version and enjoy your Monday.

THREE DOG NIGHT, ‘BLACK & WHITE’ (LIVE, 1972)

Previously on Music for Monday: KC & The Sunshine Band, ‘Please Don’t Go’ (1979)

More Three Dog Night: Music for Monday: Three Dog Night, ‘Joy to the World’

70s Commercials: Tootsie Roll (Kukla, Fran & Ollie), Eureka, PAM, Goodyear (1974-75)

Posted on March 25, 2022 by David Moore

Some old, familiar faces come out to visit today. That’s right, kids, it’s Kukla, Fran and Ollie of children’s TV fame advertising Tootsie Roll Mintees. You’ll also find spots for Eureka vacuums, PAM cooking spray (with Carmelita Pope), and Goodyear. So, go ahead – “breathe in chocolate” and “breathe out mint.”

TOOTSIE ROLL MINTEES COMMERCIAL (KUKLA, FRAN & OLLIE, 1975)