Rare Iconic Moments from the 20th Century Captured For The First Time
By Sarah Norman | October 5, 2023
Debbie Harry performing with Blondie and looking effortlessly cool in 1977.
All of history is full of new beginnings. With the current onset of a brand new year, it’s nice to take a look back at old things when they were new. Come fondly remember all the glitz and glamour of celebrations of the past. Whether it be a new year, a new season, or a new love, collected here are memories of new beginnings.
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul 1960s.
Aretha Franklin began singing gospel as a child at New Bethel Baptist Church, where her father was the minister. It was 1960 when she embarked on a secular career at the age of 18, recording for Columbia Records. After signing to Atlantic Records in 1967, Franklin achieved wide commercial acclaim and success with her songs "Respect", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", "Spanish Harlem" and "Think". By the end of the decade she was known as "The Queen of Soul".
Since then, Franklin has gone on to win a total of 18 Grammy Awards and is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time! In 1987, she was the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She has also been inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, and the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Carolyn Jones (Queen Hippolyta), Debra Winger (Wonder Girl) and Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman), 1976.
Here we have Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, Carolyn Jones as Queen Hippolyta, and Debra Winger as Wonder Girl back in 1976. From 1975 to 1979 Linda Carter was the first mainstream female superhero and quickly became a household name. She rocked her sex appeal and her character’s incredible strength and abilities and her fame skyrocketed all the way to pop icon status.
Even after her Wonder Woman days were over, she hardly retired her superhero cape. Lynda continued her battle for justice off-screen as an advocate for LGBT rights and eventually, she also joined efforts in finding the cure for cancer. Today she’s still the same strong, beautiful, actress and philanthropist that she was back in the groovy era.
Here's Queen and a Queen look-alike (Jeannette Charles) in 1975.
Here we have an amusing photograph from 1975. In it, members of the rock band Queen are posing with a look-alike of the Queen! The royal imposture was British actress Jeannette Charles, who often portrays Queen Elizabeth II due to her uncanny resemblance.
She has played the role of the monarch in numerous films including Secrets of a Superstud (1976), Queen Kong (1976), The Rutles' movie All You Need Is Cash (1978), National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).
Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot showing off their hot pants, 1970s.
Here we have a photo of sex-icons Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot showing off their hot pants. This photo was taken while they were walking the streets of Paris. Bardot won the world over with her charms, talent, and effortless beauty. Her look was so distinct and desirable, that models emulated her and designer's named styles after her. She has inspired musicians and fashion designers alike. Like Bardot, Jane Birkin was an actress, singer, songwriter, and model. She too became a fashion icon and source of inspiration. She lent her name to the ever so popular Hermès Birkin bag.
A wild-looking Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull performing - 1972.
Here’s a particularly wild-looking Ian Anderson of the English rock band Jethro Tull performing back in 1972. The band which formed back in 1967, is led by Anderson who serves as vocalist, flutist, and guitarist. Aside from Anderson, the band has featured a revolving door of lineups through the years including longtime guitarist Martin Barre, keyboardist John Evan, drummers Clive Bunker, Barriemore Barlow, and Doane Perry, and bassists Glenn Cornick, Jeffrey Hammond, and Dave Pegg.
Their first taste of commercial success came in 1969, with the album Stand Up, which reached No. 1 in the UK. Initially, their sound was blues rock, but they eventually incorporated elements of hard rock to forge a progressive rock signature. Jethro Tull has sold an estimated 60 million albums worldwide, with 11 gold and five platinum albums among them. Rolling Stone has described them as "one of the most commercially successful and eccentric progressive rock bands".
Keith Richards in Los Angeles 1972
Pictured here is Keith Richards out in Los Angeles back in 1972. The multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and author, is best known as a guitarist and founder member of the Rolling Stones. In fact, fourteen songs that Richards wrote with lead vocalist Mick Jagger are listed among Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone magazine also went so far as to credit Richards for "rock's greatest single body of riffs" on guitar and ranked him 4th on its list of 100 best guitarists in 2011.
A little Robin Williams (age 7) with his mom Laurie in 1958.
Pictured here is a young Williams with his mother Laurie McLaurin, a former model from Jackson, Mississippi. It was while on Inside the Actors Studio back in 2001, that Williams credited his mother as being an important early influence for his sense of humor. He would go above and beyond to make her laugh and gain attention.
Despite his budding sense of humor, Williams was still a quiet and shy child. In fact, he didn’t overcome his shyness until after he became involved with his high school drama department. Clearly those high school monologues helped, because he went on to become one of the greatest actors and comedians of all time.
The movie, 'Bullitt' is well known for one of the most epic car chases in movie history.
At the time of its release in 1968, talk of the car chase scene in Bullitt had already generated quite a bit of excitement.The now-classic car chase, has been long considered one of the big screen's all-time best. As film critic Emanuel Levy wrote in 2003, "Bullitt contains one of the most exciting car chases in film history, a sequence that revolutionized Hollywood's standards."
Aside from the awesome car chase, the thriller starring Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, and Jacqueline Bisset was also selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Carefree and happy, Brigitte Bardot driving her Austin Mini in Saint-Tropez, 1960s.
Here’s a great shot of Brigitte Bardot cruising in her Austin Mini Moke with English Setters in tow. This photograph was taken in Saint-Tropez back in the 1960s and shows one of the biggest fashion icons in the world looking as beautifully disheveled and carefree as can be.
French screen goddess is credited with popularizing Saint-Tropez and boosting their tourism significantly. For her 83rd birthday, the Riviera resort of St Tropez honored Bardot with an eight-foot statue of the actress. She hand wrote a note to the Saint Tropez’s residents:
“With tears in my eyes, I’m writing to you all to say a big thank from me for giving me this immense honour of a magnificent statue that immortalizes the woman the God created in Saint Tropez!!”
Kim Basinger (1977)
After modeling in New York for some time, Basinger moved on to Los Angeles to embark on an acting career in 1976. She was cast in a remake of From Here to Eternity in 1979 before making her feature film debut in the 1981 drama Hard Country. She landed the role of Bond girl Domino Petachi in the 1983 film Never Say Never Again, opposite Sean Connery. She grew in prominence, playing in films such as The Natural (1984), 9½ Weeks (1986) and Tim Burton's blockbuster Batman (1989).
By 1997 she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Lynn Bracken in the 1997 film L.A. Confidential. Her other films include I Dreamed of Africa (2000), 8 Mile (2002), The Door in the Floor (2004), Cellular (2004), The Nice Guys (2016), and her most recent Fifty Shades Darker(2017).
John Bonham, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.
Here's a great shot of Led Zeppelin bandmates, guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, and drummer John Bonham. The band's long-form songs with heavy, guitar-driven sound led to them being cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal. They drew their unique style drew from a wide variety of genres including blues, psychedelia, and folk music. Although they were initially unpopular with critics their fame grew exponentially, with their song "Stairway to Heaven", now among the most influential works in rock music history.
Harrison Ford and Karen Allen on the set of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1980)
Here we have Karen Allen and Harrison Ford while on the set of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film originated from Lucas' desire to create a modern version of the serials of the 1930s and 1940s. But according to Allen, “I got it in my head that we were making Casablanca — a version of Casablanca. And I didn’t really see the more high-spirited hijinks aspect of the film, really, even when I read the screenplay.” She went on to say, “I think I had a different movie in my own head than the movie that we ended up making, but I think the movie we ended up making was probably better than the movie I had in my head.”
Released on June 12, 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark became the year's top-grossing film and remains one of the highest-grossing films ever made. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won four in 1982. In 1999, the film was included in the U.S. Library of Congress' National Film Registry as having been deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Actress Yvonne Craig in 1967.
Yvonne Joyce Craig was a ballet dancer and actress best known as a pioneer of female superheroes for her role as Batgirl in the 1960s Batman television series. Craig’s acting career was sporadic at best after Batman, although she was also Marta, the green-skinned Orion slave girl in Star Trek episode "Whom Gods Destroy" (1969) which is pretty cool. She stopped acting in 1990 and went on to pursue a career as a real estate broker.
From 2009 to 2011, she was the voice of "Grandma" on the popular children's show Olivia. Then in 2000, Craig published an autobiography; From Ballet to the Batcave and Beyond. She died of metastatic breast cancer in August of 2015.
Evel Knievel jumping the fountains at Caesar's Palace on New Year's Eve in 1967.
Now that’s one way to ring in a new year! Here we have a shot of the legendary Evel Knievel jumping the fountains at Caesar's Palace on New Year's Eve back in 1967.
Robert Craig Knievel Jr. or as he was known professionally, Evel Knievel, was a stunt performer and international icon. Evel’s first jump was at the National Date Festival in Indio, California back in 1966, and he spent the rest of his career outdoing himself. Each stunt became more ambitious and more dangerous than the last.
Besides the jumps at Caesars Palace, some of his most memorable performances were at Madison Square Garden (1971), Twin Falls, Idaho, Snake River Canyon(1975), and the famous Wembley Stadium jump (1975). Over the course of his career, he attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.
Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson in 'The Harrad Experiment' (1973)
Nastassja Kinski in a promotional photo for the film, 'Cat People' (1982)
Here’s a publicity still for the film Cat People, with an intense Nastassja Kinski, posed with her giant cat. The 1982 erotic horror film stars Nastassja Kinski and Malcolm McDowell. It also features John Heard, Annette O'Toole, Ruby Dee, Ed Begley Jr., Scott Paulin, and Frankie Faison play supporting roles. In it, “A young woman's sexual awakening brings horror when she discovers her urges transform her into a monstrous black leopard.”
Sammy Davis Jr and Clint Eastwood, 1959.
Here’s a shot of Sammy Davis Jr and Clint Eastwood in Las Vegas, on November 15,1959. This photo was taken just after Davis’ performance at The Sands Hotel.
Sadly, racism was running rampant on the Vegas strip back in 1959, but it was no match for Sammy Davis Jr. He and his fellow Rat Packers broke racial barriers, not only while filming Ocean’s Eleven, but also while playing in Vegas. The Rat Pack would visit casino all along The Strip and if any of them refused to let Sammy in, then Sinatra told them where they could shove it.
Considering how much press the Rat Pack was generating worldwide (especially with the release of Ocean’s 11) no casino resort wanted to make headlines for turning away Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop! So they’d let Sammy in, and prove to the ignorant masses that having black guests wouldn’t hurt sales. It wasn’t until 1971 that discrimination in hotels and casinos was officially ended by Nevada statute.
The cast of the Tonight Show on New Year's Eve in 1961.
Here we have a festive photo of the Tonight Show cast on New Year's Eve in 1961/62. At this point, The Tonight Show was starring Johnny Carson, Bandleader Skitch Henderson, and Ed McMahon.
The Tonight Show is the world's longest-running talk show and over the course of its 60+ years, it has undergone only minor title changes since it first began broadcasting in 1954. It has had six official hosts so far: starting with Steve Allen (1954–57), followed by Jack Paar (1957–62), the Johnny Carson (1962–92), Jay Leno (1992–2009, 2010–14), Conan O'Brien (2009–10), and Jimmy Fallon (2014–present).
Architect Minoru Yamasaki posing with a model of the World Trade Center that he designed, 1964.
Here’s a photograph of Architect Minoru Yamasaki posing with a model of the World Trade Center that he designed, 1964. Minoru Yamasaki was the one of the most prominent architects of the 20th Century. His first internationally recognized design was the Pacific Science Center with its iconic arches, was constructed by the City of Seattle for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. He designed several large-scale projects over the course of his impressive career, but he was best known for designing the original World Trade Center in New York City. He (along with fellow architect Edward Durell Stone) are considered to be the two master practitioners of "New Formalism".
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in 'Grease' (1978)
Here’s a shot of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the first 'Grease' film back in 1978. This film launched a sequel and inspired spin-off projects but nothing tops the first film. In it,
Olivia Newton-John plays ‘good girl’ Sandy and John Travolta is a greaser named Danny. The two opposites attract and then fall in love over the summer. The new school year reveals they are now in the same high school– but will their summer fling burn all year round? This movie also turned little Olivia Newton-John into America’s sweetheart. She became a pop-culture icon, and four-time Grammy award winner after starring in this musical film.
Lindsay Wagner and Lee Majors in a scene from 'The Six Million Dollar Man' in 1974.
Sonny and Cher in New York, 1968
Here's a great shot of folk-rocks favorite husband-wife duo, Sonny and Cher wandering around New York, back in 1968.
After the release of their first album with their hit single, “I Got You, Babe,” back in 1965, Sonny and Cher’s popularity skyrocketed. The couple began making television appearances and even more performances. They positioned themselves as media personalities with two top ten TV shows in the US, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and The Sonny & Cher Show.
Their career as a duo ended in 1975 following their divorce and Cher went solo as an actress and singer, and Sonny moved on to politics. But in the decade they spent together, Sonny and Cher sold over 40 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
John Lennon and Chuck Berry making music on 'The Mike Douglas Show' in 1972.
As many remember John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, co-hosted the The Mike Douglas Show for about a week back in February of 1972. One of Lennon’s guests was his idol, Chuck Berry and the two rock legends decided to perform Berry’s 1959 composition, “Memphis, Tennessee.” That’s what this moment should have been about and it was… for the most part. It’s just unfortunate that while given the opportunity to play back up on the bongos in what was a legendary moment, Yoko decided that wasn’t enough for her, and she really took away from it. She sets down her bongo, (more than once) and interjects this horrible dolphin-like chattery nonsense that has no place in “Memphis Tennessee” and Chuck Berry’s eyes go about as wide as they could. Lennon didn’t look all that shaken by it, but of course, he lived with it.
The 80's in California- a cool car and too cool for shoes!
Nothing says the 80’s quite like this shoeless California dude posing next to an old Pontiac Trans Am. The Firebird was produced by Pontiac from 1967 to the 2002 and was designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang. They were really popular in the 80’s and now 80’s models are the ultimate used car for those who can’t afford a Camaro and can’t bring themselves to buy a Ford Mustang.
Paul McCartney and Jane Asher arrive at London Airport in 1967 with the Evening Standard paper saying the Rolling Stones 1967 drug charges were being dropped.
Here is Paul McCartney and Jane Asher as they arrive at London Airport back in 1967. As can be seen here, McCartney is holding up a copy of the Evening Standard paper to display the headline confirming the drug charges against the Rolling Stones were being dropped.
The Rolling Stones were heavy drug users and involved in several drug busts during the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1967, 20 police officers descended on Keith Richards’ estate in Sussex, England in search of illegal substances.
Richards, Mick Jagger, and Marianne Faithfull were all coming down from a daylong acid trip at the time. Richards later described events, "There's a knock on the door, I look out the window, and there's this whole lot of dwarves outside, I'd never been busted before, and I'm still on acid."
Richards and Jagger were brought up on drug charges and received brief prison sentences that were eventually overturned.
Elizabeth Montgomery hosting The Tournament of Roses Parade in 1967
Pictured here is the beautiful actress Elizabeth Montgomery, smiling sweetly while hosting the annual Rose Parade, live from Pasadena, California back in 1967. She was joined by sports commentator Vin Scully and the 1967 Rose Queen, Barbara Hewitt. This particular year, they featured 60 Floats, 22 marching bands, and 250 Equestrians.
Elizabeth Montgomery is probably best remembered as Samantha Stevens of Bewitched. She received 5 Emmy nominations as well as 4 Golden Globe nominations during the Run of the show, but after it was canceled she wanted more dramatic and controversial roles. Montgomery also dedicated herself to women's rights and became a huge gay rights activist.
Sharon Tate on her wedding day to Roman Polanski 1968.
Pictured here is actress Sharon Tate on the day of her wedding to director Roman Polanski. The famous couple was married in Chelsea, London, on January 20, 1968 with considerable publicity. Polanski was dressed in "Edwardian finery", while Tate rocked the white mini-dress pictured here.
Tragedy struck in the most gruesome manner on August 9, 1969, Tate and four others who were hanging out in the home that she shared with Polanski, were brutally murdered by members of the Manson Family. Even worse, at the time of her death, she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant with the couple's son.
Keith Moon with his girlfriend Annette Walter-Lax in 1975.
Here we have a photo of drummer Keith Moon with his girlfriend Annette Walter-Lax back in 1975. Annette modeled back in the 1970s and dated Keith Moon from 1974 until his death in 1978.
Moon played with the English rock band the Who from 1964 until his death. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest drummers of all time, in fact, he was voted the second best in the world by Rolling Stone's readers in a poll. He was posthumously inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1982, becoming only the second rock drummer to be chosen.
New Year's Eve with Elke Sommer in 1969.
Elke Sommer became one of the top film actresses of the 1960's and has made 99 film and television appearances between 1959 and 2005. In 1964, she won a Golden Globe award as Most Promising Newcomer Actress for The Prize, a film in which she co-starred with Paul Newman. Some of the titles to her name are 1964’s A Shot in the Dark with Peter Sellers, The Art of Love (1965) with James Garner, The Oscar (1966) with Stephen Boyd, and Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966) with Bob Hope. She was also the leading lady in The Wrecking Crew (1968) with Dean Martin.
Angus Young joining the crowd at an AC-DC show in 1978.
Here is a shot of Angus Young of AC-DC joining the crowd at an AC-DC show back in 1978. This particular tour was for the band's fifth studio album, 'Powerage' in 1978.
The Australian hard rock band was formed in Sydney back in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. While they are a hard rock band with blues-rock influences, they have also been widely considered a heavy metal band. But at the end of the day, it's all rock music and AC-DC will always be iconic figures in the genre.
Henry Winkler, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and Ron Howard looking pretty darn happy in 1981.
Check it out, it’s Happy Days meets The Blues Brothers! Posed together, beaming are Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. These four entertainers were bringing iconic characters to life at the time this photo was taken. Winkler the greaser to Howard’s lovable ‘good boy on the hit sitcom Happy Days. Meanwhile, Aykroyd and Belushi were making sketch comedy history as"The Blues Brothers" on the NBC’s Saturday Night Live. The premis centers on brothers Jake and Elwood Blues and their mission to raise $5,000 for their childhood parrish by putting their old band back together and taking their show on the road.
The 'Not Ready for Prime Time' Players in 1975 and when SNL was the best!
The show started on October 11, 1975, with George Carlin as host. The Not Ready for Prime Time Players were the cast of SNL during its first five seasons. The name was meant to mock Howard Cosell's show, Saturday Night Live (NBC purchased the name when Cosell's show was canceled the following year)- Cosell called his cast the "Prime Time Players".
So naturally, producer Lorne Michaels and NBC went with the 'Not Ready for Prime Time' Players for their team. SNL became a huge hit through the combination of introducing young and budding talent as well as having well-written material that not only captures the audience’s attention but it sure to keep it while stirring up controversy at every turn.
The beautiful Linda Ronstadt, 1970s. What a great voice she had too!
Music legend Linda Ronstadt has earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, and an ALMA Award. On top of all that, the majority of her albums have been certified gold, platinum and even multi-platinum in the United States and internationally. She has over 30 studio albums and 15 greatest hits albums.
In addition to her own projects, she has lent her voice to over 120 albums, collaborating with artists in diverse genres. Some of her partners in making music history include: Bette Midler, Billy Eckstine, Frank Zappa, Rosemary Clooney, Philip Glass, Gram Parsons, Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash, and Nelson Riddle. She has sold more than 100 million records, making her one of the world's best-selling artists of all time.
Shirley Jones modeling in 1960s.
Here is the lovely Shirley Mae Jones modeling back in the 1960s. She is best remembered for her lead role of Shirley Partridge, the widowed mother of five children, in the musical situation-comedy television series The Partridge Family. She played this role from 1970 to 1974, along with her real-life stepson David Cassidy.
The singer and actress spent six decades in show business, usually starring as wholesome characters. She was in popular musical films, such as Oklahoma! (1955), Carousel (1956), and The Music Man (1962). However, it was her role as a vengeful prostitute in Elmer Gantry (1960) that won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
The Kinks waiting to perform in 1965.
Pictured here are The Kinks waiting to perform back in 1965. The Kinks were formed in 1964, just one year prior to this photo being taken. They have gone on to become widely regarded as one of the most important and influential rock bands of the '60s decade. They were briefly part of the British Invasion of the United States until their touring ban in 1965. They released a string of hit singles between the mid-1960s and early 1970s, through their studio albums sold less than compilations of their singles, they still drew good review.
'The Bangs', later known as 'The Bangles' in Los Angeles, 1982.
The Bangles released their first full album titled All Over the Place in 1984 and they saw moderate success. It wasn’t until 1986 with the release of album Different Light that they reached new heights. It included the hit singles "Manic Monday", "If She Knew What She Wants", and "Walk Like an Egyptian".
Susanna Lee Hoffs, vocalist, guitarist and co-founder of The Bangles, also co-wrote "I Need a Disguise" for The Go-Gos Belinda Carlisle. Before she knew it, Hoffs was appearing all over magazine covers, acting, writing, and was perfectly positioned to launch a solo career by the time The Bangles disbanded in 1988.
The B-52's back in 1978.
Hey look it’s the B-52's back in 1978! The B-52s are an American new wave band that first formed back in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider (vocals), Kate Pierson (vocals, keyboards), Cindy Wilson (vocals, percussion), Ricky Wilson (lead guitar), and Keith Strickland (drums, rhythm guitar, keyboards). The band is best known for their 1978 debut single "Rock Lobster", and their two 1989 hits; "Love Shack" and "Roam".
While their sound is deeply rooted in new wave and 1960s style rock and roll, the group later experimented with the incorporation of many genres, ranging from post-punk to pop rock. They have always been one of those groups that are just plain fun!
New Year's Eve, 1959 in Times Square, New York.
Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, Carrie Fisher in 1961.
Here we have a heartwarming photograph of famous mother-daughter duo, Debbie Reynolds, and Carrie Fisher, both of whom died within hours of each other in 2016. Carrie Fisher was a sweet young girl here, her talents budding. She grew up to become widely adored as Princess Leia and celebrated as an author. Some of her other notable films are Shampoo (1975), The Blues Brothers (1980), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), The 'Burbs (1989), When Harry Met Sally... (1989), Soapdish (1991), and The Women (2008).
Her mother Debbie Reynolds, will always be best remembered for her breakout leading role, as Kathy Selden in Singin' in the Rain (1952). The soulmates and iconic actresses are now sharing a tombstone at Hollywood's Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
A 17 year-old Wilt Chamberlain running track in 1954.
Here’s a young Wilt Chamberlain running track back in 1974. He was just 17-years old here and from this moment in time, he went on to become one of the greatest Basketball players in the NBA.
Wilton Norman Chamberlain played for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Before playing in the NBA, he played for the University of Kansas and for the Harlem Globetrotters.
He stood at a towering 7 foot 1 inch Chamberlain eventually bulked up to weigh over 300 pounds while with the Lakers. He played center position and is widely considered one of the greatest and most dominant players in NBA history.
Burt Reynolds on 'Gunsmoke' in 1962.
Here’s a great still of a young Burt Reynolds when he was on 'Gunsmoke' back in 1962. This classic western television series starred Milburn Stone (Doc), Ken Curtis (Festus), Burt Reynolds (Quint), James Arness (as Matt Dillon) and Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty).
The show is set in Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. It was originally a radio series, which ran from 1952 to 1961. Gunsmoke was the number one-ranked television show from 1957 to 1961 went on to run for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975, for a total of 635 episodes.
Cool Duo! Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley posing for a photo in Memphis back in 1957.
Exhausted partygoers on New Year's Eve in Grand Central Station, New York in 1969.
Here we have some party goers who are clearly all tuckered out. After having far too much excitement and refreshments for one evening, this cozy escalator was just calling their names. The whole group just passed out together at Grand Central Station in New York City, on the night of New Years Eve 1969. The photo of this night to remember (or not) was taken by Leonard Freed. Nobody does New Years like New York!
Chrissie Hynde with short, spiky blonde hair in 1976.
Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu's wedding day in May 1967. She designed her own wedding gown.
Maggie Thrett, Leonard Nimoy, Susan Denberg, William Shatner and Karen Steele on the set of the 'Star Trek' episode 'Mudd's Women' - 1966.
Here’s a great shot of Maggie Thrett, Leonard Nimoy, Susan Denberg, William Shatner and Karen Steele on the set of the 'Star Trek'.
The classic Science Fiction television series is set in the Milky Way galaxy, roughly during the 2260s. William Shatner plays Captain James T. Kirk, the fearless leader of the ship and Leonard Nimoy is first officer and science officer, Spock.
This particular episode is titled 'Mudd's Women' and it aired back in 1966. In it, “The Enterprise picks up untrustworthy entrepreneur Harry Mudd accompanied by three beautiful women who immediately put a spell on all the male crew members.”
Happy New Year! Lucille Ball and Bob Hope (1960).
Roller skating was the in thing to do in the 70s, everyone was doing it! Including Linda Blair and Jim Bray in 'Roller Boogie' 1979.
Roller skating was the in thing to do back in the 1970s. The sport made its way off the boardwalk and into nightclubs, and finally onto the big screen. Hollywood capitalized on the fad as much as they could by producing Roller Skating themed films such as Roller Boogie (1979).
The romantic musical drama starred Linda Blair and Jim Bray and is set during the height of the roller skating fad of the late 1970s. In it, Bobby James (Bray) and Terry Barkley (Blair), fall in love while boogie skating to disco music. Unfortunately, there is a powerful mobster who has his eyes set on the land their favorite roller rink sits on. Together the couple must thwart a mob boss his and compete in the Boogie Contest.
'The Fonz and His Bike' model kit from 1976.
Here’s some classic Happy Days memorabilia for you, 'The Fonz and His Bike' model kit from 1976. Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli or "The Fonz" is a fictional character played by Henry Winkler sitcom Happy Days (1974–1984). Portrayed as a stereotypical greaser who loves his motorcycle, it’s only appropriate to use a model bike when creating merchandising this king of coolness.
Although he was created as a supporting character he quickly became a fan favorite (far surpassing the other characters) and was positioned as a lead. Since then, Fonzie was number 4 on its 50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time list by TV Guide.
What color televisions looked like in the 60s. So big, they were literally a piece of furniture.
These massive, ancient artifacts are actually color televisions from the 60s. They were literally a piece of furniture. The late 1940s is when color television got its start in America but it wasn't really a commercially viable option for people until the early 1950s. Even black and white televisions weren't a common sight in people homes in the mid to late 40s. Only 0.5% of households in the United States had a television in 1946, but sales started to take off as the '50s neared. By 1954 that percentage jumped to 55.7% and by 1962, 90% of the population had their very own television set at home.
To be seen and part of the scene at Studio 54, 1978.
The rich, the famous, the infamously insane... drugs, booze, and scantily dressed men and women all awaited on the other side of those velvet ropes. An aura of exclusivity, and an atmosphere that promoted sexual freedom and open drug use... not only was Studio 54 the biggest nightclub in the world, it created an entire subculture.
Studio 54 so fully embodied its time that it couldn’t have lasted beyond the early 80s even if it hadn’t been shut down. Everything just came together as a reflection of the times on those mirrored strobe-lit dance floors, in a way that it never will again.
Patrick Swayze, Scott Baio and Maureen McCormick rollerskating in the movie 'Skatetown USA' in 1979.
Who remembers Skatetown, U.S.A.? The 1979 American comedy film was produced to capitalize on the short-lived fad of roller disco. The film features Scott Baio, Flip Wilson, Maureen McCormick, Ron Palillo and Ruth Buzzi. Patrick Swayze had the leading role as the skater "Ace", this was actually his first movie performance. The film centers on a Los Angeles roller disco called Skatetown, U.S.A., where a rivalry between two skaters (Patrick Swayze and Greg Bradford) culminates in a contest. The winner will receive a moped and $1000 and a moped.
