Christy Picton, 36, Lewistown, Illinois, is a 1970s buff. She says
not a day goes by that some memory or hope from that time is not rekindled.
Her memories include trying to dance to "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin, listening
to Rock radio WLS Chicago and KZ93, and wearing brand new, board stiff
Levi's.
"We did not PAY for messed up jeans like they do now," she recalls.
"We bought a pair of Levi's, brand new and board stiff, washed them once
before we wore them the first time, then let time and nature take it's course.
Subsequent washings faded them nicely, and your jeans became not just a badge
of honor but a scrapbook of your life as well; "Yeah, this speck of paint
was when we painted my cousin's room."
When you think of the 1970s, what memories
come to mind?
THE MUSIC, always the big thing. Rock radio (WLS Chicago, KZ93,
Peoria,IL).Couldn't leave for school in the morning without hearing "Animal
Stories" on LS. 'Stairway to Heaven' being the end-all and be-all of existence,
as far as listening to the radio went.
Trying to dance to "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin at the school dances
(whatever made us think we could dance to that thing?) Guess cause they were
Zep, that's why.
Elton's "Good-Bye Yellow Brick Road" was my first slow dance. Cruising
main street in the summertime with the windows open, and being able to listen
to "Turn the Page" (everyone's favorite song at one point) all the way through
on other people's car radios cause we were all turned to KZ at the same time
and had it cranked.
Being a high-school pom-pon girl and getting so sick of DISCO that
the routine I wrote for my final game as a senior was to an Eagles song.
Other memories: we did not PAY for messed up jeans like they do now. We bought
a pair of Levi's, brand new and board stiff, washed them once before we wore
them the first time, then let time and nature take it's course. Subsequent
washings faded them nicely, and your jeans became not just a badge of honor
but a scrapbook of your life as well; "Yeah, this speck of paint was when
we painted my cousin's room. Ripped them climbing the fence at my uncle's
sneaking to the pond to swim." and so on. Being 12 years old and sitting
on the rug with my friend Karla at her house watching Nixon resign.
Are you a big 1970s fan? If so, what is it
about that decade that so inspires and excites you?
Yes, and I become a bigger fan of that sensibility everyday, especially
when I see how kids the age of my teenagers are treated, and how they in
turn treat others. I had my kids watch "Dazed and Confused" , drug scenes
not withstanding (they see worse in every third movie about the present),
because I wanted them to see kids shake hands in greeting, gather for an
evening in the woods without grownups or COPS, a fight is broken up peacefully,
and there's a sense of honor about interactions with others.
This is truly a graceless age (beginning with the 80's), and I try
to make myself hope we can return to some kind of respectful relationship
with each other, but it doesn't look as if it's going to happen anytime
soon.
What makes you a true 1970s
buff?
A day does not go by that some memory or hope from that time is not
rekindled. |
