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

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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 1973 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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

Tootsie Roll Mintees candy commercial featuring children’s TV stars Kukla, Fran and Ollie. Spot aired Spring 1975.

EUREKA VACUUM CLEANER COMMERCIAL (1975)

Eureka vacuum cleaner commercial. Narrator may be George S. Irving. Spot aired November 1975.

PAM COOKING SPRAY COMMERCIAL (1974)

PAM cooking spray commercial featuring actor Carmelita Pope. Spot aired March 1974.

GOODYEAR ‘TOY CAR’ COMMERCIAL (1974)

Goodyear Suburbanite Winter Radials tire commercial featuring a demonstration with apples, oranges, and a toy car. Spot aired November 1974.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Budweiser, Whirlpool, Haley’s M-O, Pledge (1972-73)

More candy: 70s Spots: Marathon Candy Bar (1974 & ’75)

More Eureka: 70s Commercials: Eureka Vacuum, Mazda Wagon, ‘Three Musketeers’ & More (1974-75)

More PAM: 70s Spots: PAM Spray & Wheat Berry Bread (1978)

More Goodyear: Daily 70s Spot: Goodyear Tiempo Tires (1978)

70s Commercials: Budweiser, Whirlpool, Haley’s M-O, Pledge (1972-73)

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1972 and 1973 is our destination this time. Tune in for spots featuring Budweiser, the Whirlpool portable washing machine, Haley’s M-O laxative, and Pledge furniture spray (with George Montgomery).

‘WHEN YOU SAY BUD!’ SONG COMMERCIAL (BUDWEISER, 1972)

Budweiser beer commercial featuring a glamorous singer and a famous song. Singing voice is likely Valerie Simpson. Spot aired December 1972.

WHIRLPOOL PORTABLE WASHER COMMERCIAL (1972)

Whirlpool portable washing machine commercial featuring household shenanigans. Narration by Joe Sirola. Spot aired in 1972.

HALEY’S M-O ‘FEEL YOUNG’ COMMERCIAL (1973)

Haley’s M-O laxative antacid lubricant commercial featuring two grandmotherly actors. Spot aired January 1973 (likely produced in ’72).

PLEDGE SPRAY COMMERCIAL (GEORGE MONTGOMERY, 1973)

Pledge furniture spray commercial featuring actor & furniture maker George Montgomery. Spot aired June 1973.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Coca-Cola, Campbell’s Soup, Greyhound, King Vitaman (1970-71)

More Budweiser: 70s Spots: Budweiser ‘Beer Talk’ (1976 & ’77)

More Whirlpool: 70s Spots: Farrah Fawcett & Tom Selleck For Dubonnet & More (1972)

More Haley’s M-O: 70s Commercials: Inchworm Toy, Reynolds Brown-In-Bag, Haley’s M-O, Gillette Trac II (1972-73)

More Pledge: 70s Spots: Bold Detergent & Pledge (Rose Marie, 1975)

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

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Somehow, inexplicably, I have never featured KC & the Sunshine Band on the site. Let’s rectify that now with a clip from November of 1979. Here’s KC and the sunny lads performing “Please Don’t Go” in a promo film that aired on Europe’s TopPop program.

“Please Don’t Go” appeared on the Do You Wanna Go Party LP in the summer of ’79 and boogied all the way to #1 on the US Hot 100 and #3 in the UK.

KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND, ‘PLEASE DON’T GO’ (1979)

Previously on Music for Monday: Ramones, ‘Gimme Gimmie Shock Treatment’ (Live, 1978)