Bionic Disco

70s Spots: Florence Henderson For Klean ‘N Shine (1974) & Robert Conrad For Eveready (1977)

Posted on April 6, 2021 by David Moore

In today’s quartet of 1970s commercials you’ll find, Florence Henderson for Klean ‘n Shine, Robert Conrad for Eveready batteries, the ’78 Volkswagen Scirocco, and Nestlé’s 100,00 bar. Chewy, chewy caramel!

(Check out the Bionic Disco YouTube channel for many more 70s commercials.)

Klean ‘N Shine Commercial (Florence Henderson, Mid-1970s)

_{Johnson Wax Klean ‘n Shine commercial starring actor Florence Henderson (‘The Brady Bunch’). Spot aired in the mid-1970s (best guess 1974)}.

Eveready Battery ‘I Dare Ya’ Commercial (Robert Conrad, 1977)

_{Eveready alkaline power cell batteries commercial starring actor Robert Conrad (‘The Wild Wild West’) aired September 1977.}

Volkswagen Scirocco Commercial (1978)

_{Volkswagen Scirocco car commercial featuring Rome, Italy and an Italian-speaking driver aired March 1978.}

Nestlé 100,000 Candy Bar Commercial (1979)

_{Nestlé 100,000 candy bar commercial featuring a jaunty jingle. Spot aired in early 1979.}

Previously on 70s Spots: Christopher Knight For KFC (1976), Kevin Kline For Schlitz (1978)

More Florence Henderson: Rad Ads: Florence Henderson, ‘Conversations’ Record (1970)

More Robert Conrad: 70s Spots: Clairol (Cheryl Tiegs) & Eveready (Robert Conrad) (1978)

More Volkswagen: Daily 70s Spot #488, 489: Volkswagen Scirocco & Rabbit (1975)

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

Chart Toppers: April 5, 1975

Posted on April 5, 2021 by David Moore

_{Minnie Riperton, 1975}

To start off a fresh, new week here at Bionic Disco we’re taking a look at the top five songs in the US (Billboard Hot 100) for the week of April 5, 1975. 46-years-ago, Minnie Riperton and her incredible five-octive, high-flying voice occupied the number one slot. Let’s investigate and enjoy the tunes.

CHART TOPPERS – APRIL 5, 1975

#1) MINNIE RIPERTON, “LOVIN’ YOU”

Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You” appeared on the Perfect Angel LP of 1974. The song was written by Riperton and her husband, Richard Rudolph, and produced by Rudolph and Stevie Wonder.

#2) ELTON JOHN BAND, “PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM“

Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” was recorded in the summer of 1974 and released as a non-LP single. This tribute song to tennis great Billie Jean King was written by Elton and Bernie Taupin and produced by Gus Dudgeon. It later appeared on Elton’s Greatest Hits Volume II in 1977.

https://youtu.be/q1oNWdrlWGo

#3) RINGO STARR, “NO NO SONG”

Ringo Starr’s “No No Song” appeared on the artist’s Goodnight Vienna album in 1974. This humorous ode to giving up the hard stuff was written by Hoyt Axton and David Jackson and produced by Richard Perry.

#4) B.T. EXPRESS, “EXPRESS”

B.T. Express’s near-instrumental track, “Express,” appeared on the group’s 1974 LP Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied). This train-themed dance song was written by the band and produced by Jeff Lane.

#5) JOE COCKER, “YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL”

Joe Cocker’s version of “You Are So Beautiful” appeared on the I Can Stand a Little Rain album in the summer of 1974. The song was written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher and produced by Jim Price.

70s Spots: Christopher Knight For KFC (1976), Kevin Kline For Schlitz (1978)

Posted on April 2, 2021 by David Moore

In the new batch of seventies commercials you’ll find Christopher Knight of The Brady Bunch for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kevin Kline as Robin Hood for Schlitz Malt Liquor, an animated Kleenex Tissues spot, and the 1979 Dodge pickup. Roll ’em!

Kentucky Fried Chicken Commercial (Chris Knight, 1976)

_{Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) ‘Extra Crispy’ commercial featuring Christopher Knight (‘The Brady Bunch’) aired March 1976.}

Kleenex Tissues Animated Commercial (1976)

_{Animated Kleenex Tissues commercial featuring a Bicentennial-themed Town Crier mascot. Spot aired January 1976 (produced in ’75).}

Schlitz Malt Liquor Commercial (Kevin Kline, 1978)

_{Schlitz Malt Liquor commercial starring actor Kevin Kline (‘A Fish Called Wanda’) as Robin Hood. Spot aired in 1978.}

’79 Dodge Pickup Truck Commercial (1978)

_{1979 model Dodge pickup truck commercial featuring Club & Crew Cabs and four wheel drive Power Wagons. Spot aired November 1978.}

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

More KFC: 70s Spots: Kentucky Fried Chicken ‘Colonel Talks’ (1971)

More Christopher Knight: Brady Bunch Moments: Porkchops and Applesauce

More Schlitz: 70s Spots: Pepsi Light & Schlitz ‘Clambake’ (1976)

More Dodge: Daily 70s Spot #478: Dodge Polaras With Allan Melvin (1971)

Classic 70s Ads: Dionne Warwick, ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’ (1972)

Posted on April 1, 2021 by David Moore

_{Dionne Warwick, ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’ ad via Cash Box, April 1, 1972}

By early 1972 Dionne Warwick had left Scepter Records and signed with Warner Brothers. That likely makes this “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” Scepter single something of a cash in attempt. Warwick’s version of the famed Burt Bacharach/Hal David hit originally appeared on her 1970 LP I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.

Interestingly, you’ll notice Warwick’s name is misspelled as “Warwicke” at the bottom of the ad. This spelling also appears on Warwick’s late ’71 Scepter releases. Perhaps to differentiate between her Warner Brothers content or avoid contract issues. I’m really not sure but it’s all rather curious. Let’s listen in.

Dionne Warwick, ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On my Head’ (1970/1972)

Previously on Classic 70s Ads: Grand Funk, ‘The Loco-Motion’ (1974)

Hidden Gems: Redbone, ‘When You Got Trouble’ (1971)

Posted on March 31, 2021 by David Moore

Redbone is best-known for their radio hit “Come And Get Your Love” which reached #5 in 1974. This California-based group has plenty of worthy and wonderful songs in their catalog that demand repeated listening. One such Hidden Gem is a personal favorite, “When You Got Trouble.”

“When You Got Trouble” was written by core band members Pat and Lolly Vegas and appeared on the Message From A Drum LP in 1971. Give it a spin and soothe your troubles away.

Redbone, ‘When You Got Trouble’ (1971)

Previously on Hidden Gems: Betty Wright, ‘Pure Love’ (1972)

More Redbone: Music For Monday: Redbone, ‘Come And Get Your Love’ (Live, 1974)

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

Posted on March 30, 2021 by David Moore

Howdy, folks. I’ve got a “Western” style commercial for Dubonnet for you starring Farrah Fawcett and Tom Selleck. Because nothing says “Old West” like French aperitif wine.

You’ll also enjoy commercials for the Aimee doll, Grape-Nuts with naturalist Euell Gibbons, and a Whirlpool spot with Judd Hirsch. Shoot them Play buttons to watch. Yeehaw!

Dubonnet Commercial (Farrah Fawcett, Tom Selleck, 1972)