1974: Top Songs, Movies TV Shows, Sporting Events And More
The 1970’s were a whirlwind of change. From the hangover of the late 60’s to the lull and depression of the early part of the 70’s to the “ok, let’s loosen up and have some fun” attitude of the middle to latter part of the decade, it certainly was a decade of ups and downs that would lead to a never-ending party known as the 1980’s.
Check out everything that was from this decade, year by year. From the sporting events to world events, the top TV shows, songs, movies and more.
As you’re going back in time, think about some of the things in our lives today that you don’t see appearing here because…. they didn’t exist yet. Things like the top selling computers, tablets, laptops, microwaves, cable provider, wireless company, music video of the year etc.
Let us know some of the things that come to mind below.
For more great memories from any of the years that made up the decade, click a year below and we’ll transport you back in time to see everything you may remember or have forgotten… who loves ya baby!
TOP SONGS
1. “The Way We Were” – Barbra Streisand
2. “Come And Get Your Love” – Redbone
3. “Seasons In The Sun” – Terry Jacks
4. “Show And Tell” – Al Wilson
5. “Love’s Theme” – The Love Unlimited Orchestra
6. “The Loco-motion” – Grand Funk
7. “Bennie And The Jets” – Elton John
8. “You Make Me Feel Brand New” – The Stylistics
9. “Sunshine On My Shoulders” – John Denver
10. “T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia)”” – MFSB featuring The Three Degrees
GRAMMY AWARDS
Album of the Year: Fulfillingness’ First Finale, Stevie Wonder
Best New Artist: Marvin Hamlisch
Best Pop Duo or Group: “Band on the Run,” Paul McCartney and Wings
Best Pop Female Vocal: “I Honestly Love You,” Olivia Newton-John
Best Pop Male Vocal: Fulfillingness’ First Finale, Stevie Wonder
Record of the Year: “I Honestly Love You,” Olivia Newton-John
Song of the Year: “The Way We Were”
TOP MOVIES
1. The Towering Inferno $139,700,000
2. Blazing Saddles $119,500,000
3. Young Frankenstein $86,273,333
4. Earthquake $79,666,653
5. The Godfather: Part II $57,300,000
6. Airport 1975 $47,285,152
7. The Longest Yard $43,008,075
8. Benji $39,552,000
9. Herbie Rides Again $38,229,000
10. Murder on the Orient Express $35,733,867
11. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre $30,859,000
12. Chinatown $29,200,000
OTHER RELEASES
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore / Amarcord / Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein
Death Wish / Harry and Tonto / That’s Entertainment / The Conversation
The Great Gatsby / The Return of the Pink Panther
ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS
Winners in CAPS
Best Picture:
“THE GODFATHER, PART II”, “Chinatown”, “The Conversation”, “Lenny”, “The Towering Inferno”
Actor:
ART CARNEY in “Harry and Tonto”, Albert Finney in “Murder on the Orient Express”, Dustin Hoffman in “Lenny”, Jack Nicholson in “Chinatown”, Al Pacino in “The Godfather, Part II”
Actress:
ELLEN BURSTYN in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”, Diahann Carroll in “Claudine”, Faye Dunaway in “Chinatown”, Valerie Perrine in “Lenny”, Gena Rowlands in “A Woman Under the Influence”
Supporting Actor:
ROBERT DE NIRO in “The Godfather, Part II”, Fred Astaire in “The Towering Inferno”, Jeff Bridges in “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot”, Michael V. Gazzo in “The Godfather, Part II”, Lee Strasberg in “The Godfather, Part II”
Supporting Actress:
INGRID BERGMAN in “Murder on the Orient Express”, Valentina Cortese in “Day for Night”, Madeline Kahn in “Blazing Saddles”, Diane Ladd in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”, Talia Shire in “The Godfather, Part II”
Director:
FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA for “The Godfather, Part II”, John Cassavetes for “A Woman Under the Influence”, Bob Fosse for “Lenny”, Roman Polanski for “Chinatown”, Francois Truffaut for “Day for Night”
TV SHOWS
All in the Family / Sanford and Son / Chico and the Man / The Jeffersons
M*A*S*H / Rhoda / Good Times / The Waltons / Maude / Hawaii Five-O
The Mary Tyler Moore Show / The Rockford Files / Little House on the Prairie
Kojak / Police Woman / S.W.A.T. / The Bob Newhart Show / The Wonderful World of Disney
The Rookies / Mannix
EMMY AWARD WINNERS:
Best Drama – Masterpiece Theatre: Upstairs, Downstairs
Best Actor – Robert Blake, Baretta
Best Actress – Jean Marsh, Masterpiece Theatre: Upstairs, Downstairs
Supporting Actor – Will Geer, The Waltons
Supporting Actress – Ellen Corby, The Waltons
Best Comedy – The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Best Actor – Tony Randall, The Odd Couple
Best Actress – Valerie Harper, Rhoda
Supporting Actor – Ed Asner, The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Supporting Actress – Betty White, The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Best Variety – The Carol Burnett Show
SPORTS:
Kentucky Derby Winner: Cannonade – Trainer: Woody Stephens – Jockey: Angel Cordero Jr.
Football:
Superbowl IX: Pittsburgh 16 – MINNESOTA 6
Pro MVP: Ken Stabler, Oakland, QB & Merlin Olsen, LA Rams, DT
College Football: #1 Oklahoma
Heisman Trophy: Archie Griffin, Ohio St., RB
Rose Bowl: USC 18, Ohio St. 17
Orange Bowl: Notre Dame 13, Alabama 11
Cotton Bowl: Penn St. 41, Baylor 20
Sugar Bowl: Nebraska 13, Florida 10
Basketball:
NBA Championship: Boston Vs. Milwaukee
Winner: Boston in 7
Boston Coach: Tommy Heinsohn
Milwaukee Coach: Larry Costello
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee, C – Average Points Per Game: 27
NCAA National Champions: N.C. State – 30W 1L / Coach: Norm Sloan
World Series
Oakland A’s Vs. L.A. Dodgers
Oakland in 7
Oakland Coach: Alvin Dark
L.A. Dodgers Coach: Walter Alston
National League
MVP: Steve Garvey, L.A. (1B)
Rookie of the Year: Bake McBride, St. Louis (OF)
American League
MVP: Jeff Burroughs, Tex (OF)
Rookie of the Year: Mike Hargrove, Tex (1B)
TOP NEWS STORIES:
Nixon Rejects Ervin Subpoena
Patty Hearst Is Kidnapped By Symbionese Liberation Army
House votes 410-4 To Investigate The President
Solzenitsyn Is Deported From Russia
Grand Jury Indicts Presidential Aids Halderman, Erlichman, Colson
India Announces It Has A-bomb
Juan Peron Dies Wife Isabel Takes Over
Nixon Resigns…Ford Sworn In As President
Ford Gives Nixon Absolute Pardon
55 mile-per hour speed limit is inacted
OPEC oil embargo ends
Nixon agrees to pay 432,000 in back taxes
Nelson Rockefeller is appointed Vice President as Ford becomes President
Jack Benny, Dizzy Dean, Duke Ellington, Chet Huntley and Ed Sullivan Pass
Muhammad Ali using “Rope a Dope” knocks out George Foreman in 8 th
The “String” Bikini is in fashion
Because of gasoline shortage, daylight savings time is observed all year to save fuel
Lt. William Calley convicted of his part in My Lai massacre is paroled
PLO is given “observer” status at UN
Harry Chapin’s “The Cats In The Cradle” is a singles hit
The Great Gatsby with Mia Farrow and Robert Redford opens at theaters
Happy Days is a TV hit
Kickoffs are moved to the 35-yard line in the NFL
John Newcombe is the World Champion Tennis player
Great Britain, China, France and India conduct nuclear tests
Girls are allowed in Little League
The first pressure sensitive postage stamps are introduced
Antitrust suit is brought Ma Bell
Four Episcopal Bishops defy church law and ordain 11 women priests
Evel Knievel fails to jump Snake River
President: Richard M. Nixon
Vice President: Gerald R. Ford
Population: 213,853,928
Life expectancy: 72.0 years
Dow-Jones
High: 950
Low: 590
Federal spending: $269.36 billion
Federal debt: $483.9 billion
Inflation: 13.9%
Consumer Price Index: 49.3
Unemployment: 4.9%
Cost of a new home: $38,900.00
Cost of a new car: $3,700.00
Median Household Income: $11,197.00
Cost of a first-class stamp: 8 cents (went to 10 cents on March 2)
Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $0.53
Cost of a dozen eggs: $0.78
Cost of a gallon of Milk: $1.57