Okay, so yesterday I was totally geeking out about the 70s. Don’t ask me why, just one of those rabbit holes you fall into on the internet. Anyway, I got curious about who people thought were like, the popular people back then. I mean, I know the usual suspects – rock stars, movie stars – but I wanted to dig a little deeper.
First thing I did, naturally, was fire up Google. I started with some super basic searches like “most popular celebrities 1970s” and “iconic figures 70s.” Got a bunch of lists, mostly the same names popping up. Think Farrah Fawcett, Robert Redford, all those guys. Nothing groundbreaking.
But then I started getting a little more specific. I thought, “Okay, who was influencing culture in the 70s?” So I tried things like “influential musicians 1970s” and “popular fashion icons 70s.” That’s where things got a bit more interesting.
I started making a list. This is how I roll. I grab a notepad (yeah, an actual paper notepad, I’m old school) and jot down names as I find them. Here’s a quick rundown of some people who made the list:
- Musicians: Obviously, the big rock bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Queen. But also disco icons like Donna Summer and the rise of punk with bands like The Ramones.
- Actors/Actresses: Beyond Fawcett and Redford, I added names like Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep (early in her career), and Pam Grier for her impact on blaxploitation films.
- Fashion: Designers like Halston were huge, and I also looked at models like Lauren Hutton. Found some cool articles about how everyday people were influencing fashion too, with things like bell-bottoms and platform shoes becoming mainstream.
The real fun started when I went down a YouTube rabbit hole. I started watching old interviews, concert footage, and even some documentaries about the 70s. Seeing these people in action, hearing them talk, really gave me a better sense of their impact.
For example, I watched an interview with Gloria Steinem and it really hit me how much she shaped the conversation around feminism in that decade. I knew she was important, but seeing her articulate her ideas in that context was powerful.
I also spent some time digging through old magazines online. Things like Rolling Stone, Vogue, and even Playboy (for better or worse) gave me a snapshot of who was being talked about and what was considered cool at the time. It’s amazing how much you can learn from just looking at the ads!
So, after a full day of digging, I ended up with a pretty solid list of “popular people in the 70s.” Was it scientific? Nah. Was it comprehensive? Probably not. But it was a fun exercise in cultural exploration. And it reminded me that “popularity” is about more than just chart numbers and box office grosses. It’s about who’s shaping the conversation, influencing style, and leaving a mark on the world.
