Bionic Disco

70s Spots: ’74 Subaru, Snoopy’s Doghouse & More

Posted on March 23, 2021 by David Moore

I’ve got an eclectic assortment of seventies commercials for you today. We start with a 1973 spot for the ’74 Subaru and move on to Harley-Davidson, Liquid-Plumer with a Bionic Disco fave, Allan Melvin, and top it all off with Snoopy’s Doghouse. Have a nice trip down the yellow brick road.

_{(Check out the Bionic Disco YouTube channel for thousands more 70s commercials.)}

’74 Subaru Commercial (1973)

_{1974 model Subaru commercial featuring a wild wrong turn aired November 1973.}

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Commercial (AMF, 1975)

_{AMF Harley-Davidson SS-250 motorcycle commercial with a comparison to the 1000cc model aired in 1975-76.}

Liquid-Plumr Commercial (Allan Melvin, 1976)

_{Liquid-Plumr commercial featuring actor Allan Melvin (‘The Brady Bunch,’ ‘Magilla Gorilla’) aired June 1976.}

Snoopy’s Doghouse Toy Commercial (1978)

_{Hasbro Romper Room Snoopy’s Doghouse toy commercial aired in 1978.}

Previously on 70s Spots: Nestea Plunge, Ford LTD & More (1976-77)

More Harley-Davidson: Daily 70s Ad: Harley’s Electra Glide ‘In Green’ (1970)

More Liquid-Plumr: 70s Spots: Sam The Butcher For Liquid-Plumr (1973 & ’74)

More Snoopy: Daily 70s Ad: Snoopy Phone For Christmas (1979)

Classic 70s Ads: Tina Turner, ‘Acid Queen’ (1975)

Posted on March 22, 2021 by David Moore

_{Tina Turner “Acid Queen” ad via Cash Box March 08, 1975}

Tina Turner appeared as The Acid Queen in Ken Russell’s film version of Tommy, belting out the tune in question. A version of Turner singing the Pete Townsend-penned tune can be found on The Who’s Tommy soundtrack of 1975.

Turner released an album entitled Acid Queen that same year which would be her last as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. The LP contained a different version of the track. Instead of simply listing to an audio file, here’s Turner whipping the song into submission on TV in 1978.

Tina Turner, “Acid Queen” Performance (1978)

https://youtu.be/mkuMpSVz1Sk

Previously on Classic 70s Ads: Classic 70s Ads: John Lennon, ‘Power To The People’/ Yoko Ono ‘Open Your Box’ (1971)

70s Spots: Nestea Plunge, Ford LTD & More (1976-77)

Posted on March 19, 2021 by David Moore

Four “new” commercials from the 1970s incoming. A spot for Nestea and their famed refreshing plunge is the star attraction here. What seventies kid didn’t try to imitate this in the swimming pool? Drink up.

Nestea Plunge Commercial (1977)

_{Instant Nestea iced tea mix commercial featuring a Mother-Daughter Day and the cool pool plunge aired August 1977.}

Pillsbury Frosting Supreme ‘Paper Knife’ Commercial (1977)

_{Pillsbury Frosting Supreme Chocolate Fudge commercial featuring a paper knife demonstration aired August 1977 (produced in ’76).}

’77 Ford LTD Commercial (Hugh Downs, 1976)

_{Ford LTD commercial with a comparison to Chevrolet and Cadillac. Spokesperson is Hugh Downs (’20/20′). Spot aired December 1976.}

Mitchum Roll-On Commercial (1976)

_{Mitchum Roll-On antiperspirant commercial featuring ballet dancers aired March 1976.}

Previously on 70s Spots: Ricochet Racers (1976), Cool Whip & More

More Nestea: Daily 70s Spot: Nestea Plunge ‘Road Worker’ (1976)

More Pillsbury: 70s Spots: Poppin’ Fresh Cinnamon Rolls & Folger’s Coffee Crystals (1979)

More Ford: 70s Spots: Plymouth Road Runner & Ford LTD (1971)

‘Star Wars Debuts In Japan’ (1978)

Posted on March 18, 2021 by David Moore

In 1978 Mark Hamill went on a publicity trip to Japan to promote Star Wars. YouTuber “btm0815ma” has posted a 23-minute video of behind-the-scenes footage of the visit.

The footage is unedited and only fanatics, like myself, will want to view it in its entirety. However, brave explorers will uncover much that fascinates like a pre-Empire Strikes Back Hamill enjoying himself at a press conference, appearing on a TV show, and interacting with fans. Fun fact: Hamill likely feels comfortable in Japan as he spent a few teenage years living in Yokosuka and attended high school in Yokohama.

You’ll also get a look at some classic Star Wars merchandise, Star Wars characters in a parade, and Japan in the late 70s. Well worth a watch…or a scan through to find the bits that interest you.

‘Star Wars’ Debuts In Japan (1978)

https://youtu.be/4gmZR0UoSoE

More Star Wars: Daily 70s Ad: MPC ‘Star Wars’ Model Kits (1979)

Hidden Gems: Paul Siebel, ‘Jack-Knife Gypsy’ (1971)

Posted on March 17, 2021 by David Moore

Here’s a Hidden Gem that may be new to you. New York-born singer-songwriter Paul Siebel released the “Jack-Knife Gypsy” single in early 1971. The song was recorded in Los Angeles with Robert W. Zachary Jr. producing and comes from the album of the same name.

Have a listen to this crackin’ tune. It should have been a fair-sized hit in ’71. Alas, Siebel is best-known for writing songs for other artists or being covered by the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, and Waylon Jennings.

Paul Siebel, ‘Jack-Knife Gypsy’ (1971)

Previously on Hidden Gems: The Manhattans, ‘Strange Old World’ (1972)

70s Spots: Ricochet Racers (1976), Cool Whip & More

Posted on March 16, 2021 by David Moore

Time to switch on the memory box for an assortment of vintage commercials. This time around you’ll find spots for Cool Whip, Hasbro’s Ricochet Racers, Air France with Brigitte Bardot, and Winnebago with Tom Kennedy. Have at ’em.

Cool Whip Desserts Commercial (Mid-1970s)