1978: 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. “Night Fever” – Bee Gees
2. “Shadow Dancing” – Andy Gibb
3. “Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees
4. “Kiss You All Over” – Exile
5. “Three Times A Lady” – Commodores
6. “Boogie Oogie Oogie” – A Taste of Honey
7. “Baby Come Back” – Player
8. “Emotion” – Samantha Sang
9. “You’re The One That I Want” – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
10. “Grease” – Frankie Valli
GRAMMY WINNERS
Album of the Year: Saturday Night Fever
Best New Artist: A Taste of Honey
Best Pop Duo or Group: Saturday Night Fever, Bee Gees
Best Pop Female Vocal: “You Needed Me,” Anne Murray
Best Pop Male Vocal: “Copacabana” (At the Copa), Barry Manilow
Record of the Year: “Just the Way You Are,” Billy Joel
Song of the Year: “Just the Way You Are,” Billy Joel
TOP MOVIES
1. Grease $188,389,888
2. Superman $134,218,018
3. Animal House $120,091,123
4. Every Which Way but Loose $85,196,485
5. Heaven Can Wait $81,640,278
6. Jaws 2 Universal $77,737,272
7. The Deer Hunter $48,979,328
8. Halloween $47,000,000
9. Foul Play $44,999,621
10. California Suite $42,913,571
ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS
Winners in CAPS
Best Picture:
“THE DEER HUNTER”, “Coming Home”, “Heaven Can Wait”, “Midnight Express”, “An Unmarried Woman”
Actor:
JON VOIGHT in “Coming Home”, Warren Beatty in “Heaven Can Wait”, Gary Busey in “The Buddy Holly Story”, Robert De Niro in “The Deer Hunter”, Laurence Olivier in “The Boys From Brazil”
Actress:
JANE FONDA in “Coming Home”, Ingrid Bergman in “Autumn Sonata”, Ellen Burstyn in “Same Time, Next Year”, Jill Clayburgh in “An Unmarried Woman”, Geraldine Page in “Interiors”
Supporting Actor:
CHRISTOPHER WALKEN in “The Deer Hunter”, Bruce Dern in “Coming Home”, Richard Farnsworth in “Comes a Horseman”, John Hurt in “Midnight Express”, Jack Warden in “Heaven Can Wait”
Supporting Actress:
MAGGIE SMITH in “California Suite”, Dyan Cannon in “Heaven Can Wait”, Penelope Milford in “Coming Home”, Maureen Stapleton in “Interiors”, Meryl Streep in “The Deer Hunter”
Director:
MICHAEL CIMINO for “The Deer Hunter”, Woody Allen for “Interiors”, Hal Ashby for “Coming Home”, Warren Beatty and Buck Henry for “Heaven Can Wait”, Alan Parker for “Midnight Express”
TV SHOWS
Laverne and Shirley / Three’s Company / Mork and Mindy / Happy Days / The Ropers
What’s Happening / Alice / M*A*S*H / All in the Family / Taxi / 60 Minutes
Charlie’s Angels / Angie / All in the Family / WKRP in Cincinnati / Soap
Eight Is Enough / Barney Miller / CBS Sunday Night Movie
EMMY AWARD WINNERS:
Best Drama – Lou Grant
Best Actor – Ron Leibman, Kaz
Best Actress – Mariette Hartley, The Incredible Hulk: “Married”
Supporting Actor – Stuart Margolin, The Rockford Files
Supporting Actress – Kristy McNichol, Family
Best Comedy – Taxi
Best Actor – Carroll O’Connor, All in the Family
Best Actress – Ruth Gordon, Taxi: “Sugar Mama”
Supporting Actor – Robert Guillaume, Soap
Supporting Actress – Sally Struthers, All in the Family: “California Here We Are”
Best Variety – Steve and Eydie Celebrate Irving Berlin
SPORTS:
Kentucky Derby Winner: Affirmed – Trainer: Lazaro Barrera. – Jockey: Steve Cauthen
Football:
Superbowl XIII: Pittsburgh 35 – Dallas 31
Pro MVP: Terry Bradshaw Pittsburgh QB & Earl Campbell Houston RB
College Football: #1 Alabama
Heisman Trophy: Billy Simms, Oklahoma, RB
Rose Bowl: USC 17, Michigan 10
Orange Bowl: Oklahoma 31, Nebraska 24
Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame 35, Houston 34
Sugar Bowl: Alabama 14, Penn St 7
Baskteball:
NBA Championship: Washington Bullets Vs. Seattle Supersonics
Winner: Washington in 7
Washington Coach: Dick Motta
Seattle Coach: Lenny Wilkins
MVP: Bill Walton, Portland, C – Average Points Per Game: 18.9
NCAA National Champions: Kentucky: 30W – 2L / Coach: Joe B. Hall
World Series:
New York Yankees Vs. L.A. Dodgers
Winner: New York in 6
New York Coach: Billy Martin
L.A. Coach: Tommy La Sorda
National League
MVP: Dave Parker, Pitt (OF)
Rookie of the Year: Bob Horner, Atl (OF)
American League
MVP: Jim Rice, Bos (OF & DH)
Rookie of the Year: Lou Whitaker, Det (2B)
TOP NEWS STORIES:
37 Israelis Are Slain In PLO Raid On Haifa Bus
900 Jim Jones Temple Cult Members Die In Murder Suicide In Guyana
OPEC Raises Prices 14%
City Of Cleveland Defaults
Senate Gives Canal Back to Panama In 1999
Hustler Owner Larry Flint Shot After Testifying
“Bugs” are found in US Embassy in Moscow
Pope Paul dies, John Paul I is elected
Pope John Paul I dies, Polish Cardinal Is named Pope Paul II
Inflation rate 12.4%, Prime rate 12%
” The Incredible Hulk” with Lou Ferrigno premiers
“WkRP in Cincinnati” with Loni Anderson premiers
Pete Rose sets an NL consecutive game hitting streak record of 44
Fads….. Biorhythm, college Toga parties
Exercise is in providing a fashion trend in apparel
Tennis top money winners are Bjorn Borg and Martina Navratilova
First test tube baby “Louise Brown, is born in Oldam England, fertilized egg is implanted in mother
Animal House opens in theaters
Taxi is a hit TV program, wins an Emmy
Saturday Night Fever sound track is a best selling album
Susan B. Anthony dollar coin is minted
Gambling is legalized in NJ
Betty Ford enters a treatment program for alcohol addiction
Mormons ordain first black priest
Stat wide limitations on indoor smoking are passed in Iowa and NJ
Garfield the cat cartoons make first appearance
President: James Earl Carter, Jr.
Vice President: Walter F. Mondale
Population: 222,584,545
Life expectancy: 73.5 years
Dow-Jones
High: 893
Low: 807
Federal spending: $458.75 billion
Federal debt: $776.6 billion
Inflation: 12.4%
Consumer Price Index: 65.2
Yearly Inflation Rate – 7.62%
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 805
Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 11.75%
Average Cost of New Home $54,800.00
Average Income per year $17,000.00
Average Monthly Rent $260.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 63 cents
1LB of Bacon$1.20
Dozen Eggs 48 Cents
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.13 ($went up to 15 cents as of May 29, 1978)
Cost of a gallon of Milk: $1.71