Bionic Disco is celebrating 10 years online this weekend! On May 30, 2011 the first public post went live. It was a “Soft Launch” kind of thing as I’d been writing and putting up a few articles behind-the-scenes for some weeks prior.
I’d like to send out a hearty “thank you!” to everyone who visits and has visited over these many years. I’m not throwing in the nostalgic towel any time soon so there’s plenty more seventies memories to come. I sincerely thank you for doing The Hustle along with me at the ‘Disco.
New York Dolls’ cover of Archie Bell’s “(There’s Gonna Be A) Showdown” was released as a B-side to “Puss ‘N’ Boots” in 1974 and appeared on the band’s second LP Too Much Too Soon.
Here’s the famed, thrashy rebels performing the tune on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert in ’74. It’s an aggressive, sleazy version and worthy of your attention. Let it roll.
NEW YORK DOLLS, ‘(THERE’S GONNA BE A) SHOWDOWN’ (LIVE, 1974)
A very good Memorial Day Weekend Friday to you. Today, the theme is “1975” and the commercials to follow all appeared then. Take a gander at spots for the Ford Pinto Pony MPG, Great Western Savings (my childhood bank), Pillsbury Egg Baskets, and Jerry Lewis’ Spellbound board game. See ya in a few!
’76 FORD PINTO PONY COMMERCIAL (1975)
’76 Ford Pinto Pony MPG commercial featuring a comparison to other compact vehicles aired October 1975.
GREAT WESTERN SAVINGS COMMERCIAL (1975)
Great Western Savings bank commercial featuring a ‘5 billion dollars strong’ theme aired October 1975.
PILLSBURY EGG BASKETS COMMERCIAL (1975)
Pillsbury Egg Baskets commercial featuring Mr. Hatch the Egg Man (actor Charles C. Welch known for Pepperidge Farm spots). Spot aired November 1975.
SPELLBOUND BOARD GAME COMMERCIAL (JERRY LEWIS, 1975)
Hasbro Spellbound board game commercial endorsed by and starring actor-comedian Jerry Lewis aired in 1975.
Todd Rundgren, ‘Be Nice To Me’ ad via Record World April 10, 1971
Todd Rundgren’s airy slice of pop, “Be Nice To Me” released fifty-years-ago and reached #71 on the US Hot 100. The song was written, produced, and played by Rundgren and appeared on the Runt: The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren LP. Give it a spin and let your blood pressure lower a bit.
Time for more “Buried Treasure” commercials that appeared on the Bionic Disco YouTube channel but not here on the website. Grab a look at spots for Bud, 20/20 with Hugh Downs, Pepsi, and the ’79 Chevy Caprice & Impala.
BUDWEISER ‘SALT’ COMMERCIAL (1976)
Budweiser ‘Beer Talk’ commercial with a commentary on salt aired November 1976.
’20/20′ ABC PROMO (HUGH DOWNS, 1978)
ABC promo for the weekly magazine show ’20/20′ starring Hugh Downs. Spot aired August 1978.
PEPSI ‘C’MON!’ JINGLE COMMERCIAL (1978)
Pepsi-Cola commercial featuring a kid’s ski race and a famous jingle aired March 1978.
’79 CHEVY ‘THIS IS IT!’ COMMERCIAL (1978)
Chevrolet commercial featuring Caprice and Impala for 1979 aired October 1978.
Two spots from 1978 and two from 1977 on deck today. From ’78, you’ll find the great Chuck McCann in one of his long-running “Hi, guy!” commercials for Right Guard. Next, it’s a classic, and somewhat absurd, “Ring around the collar!” spot from Wisk laundry detergent.
From 1977, we have commercials for Kentucky Fried Chicken and Nescafé coffee. Let the memories flow.
RIGHT GUARD ‘HI, GUY!’ COMMERCIAL (1978)
Right Guard antiperspirant commercial featuring the famed “Hi, guy!” catchphrase. Chuck McCann has the blue towel around his neck. Bill Fiore is in the yellow robe. Spot aired May 1978.
WISK ‘RING AROUND THE COLLAR!’ COMMERCIAL (1978)
Wisk laundry detergent commercial featuring a famous tagline aired November 1978.
