I’m not really stuck in the 70s. It’s more like the 70s felt like a hangover from the 60s. I entered junior high school and wanted to drop out to protest the war. Of course, my parents would not have that, so I went to school and wrote protest songs and played them on my guitar. 1970 the National Guardsmen opened fire on a group of students, fatally killing 4 at Kent State University. In September of 1970 Jimi Hendrix dies, and in October of 1970 we said goodbye to Janis Joplin.

 1971 the microprocessor was introduced and was foundation of all computers. Cigarette ads were banned on TV; George Harrison organized the first benefit called, “The Concert for Bangladesh.” Greenpeace was founded and Disney World opened. Charles Manson and his followers were convicted of murder and conspiracy to murder, and the VCR was introduced.

1972 marked the first release of electronic games. America welcomed PONG! Meanwhile, George Wallace was shot while campaigning, the last mission to the moon happened, Federal Express was founded, and the book, Joy of Sex, was released. Believe it or not e-mail was invented; Mark Spitz won seven gold medals while the Watergate scandal began. Speaking of Watergate, the first FBI female agent was hired and women’s rights continued to grow.

 1973 abortion became legal. Bobby Riggs lost to Billie Jean King. The women’s movement continued to grow. There was a cease-fire agreement and US troops pulled out of Viet Nam. The US vice president resigned, and the gas and energy crisis began. UPC bar codes were introduced, and President Nixon released the Watergate tapes.

1974 Nixon resigned, Patty Hearst was kidnapped, streaking became popular, though I never did it; I did happen to see it occasionally.  Evel Knievel tried to jump the Grand Canyon but instead fell 600 feet to the ground and suffered only minor injuries.

1975 the mood ring came out, Arthur Ashe was the first black man to win Wimbledon, Microsoft was founded, the Alaska Pipeline construction began, computerized supermarket checkouts appeared, and disposable razors were introduced.

1976 I escaped from high school. I graduated and was free from the indoctrination of public school BS. Four military academies; US Air Force, US Naval, US Military, and the US Coast Guard, admitted the first women. The artificial gene was introduced, Apple Computer was launched, CB radio’s popularity peaks, and Jimmy Carter became president.

1977 Elvis died and this began decades of Elvis sightings. New York City had its famous blackout, Star Wars premiered, as well as Saturday Night Fever, and President Jimmy Carter officially pardoned all those who avoided the draft during the Vietnam War.

1978 tragedy struck and the Jonestown Massacre 900 people were killed. The first test-tube baby was born, and speaking of babies, Huggies disposal diapers were introduced. Sadly, Keith Moon, drummer for The Who, died of an overdose. Good news, a local band, U2, won the “Harp Lager Talent Contest” in Limerick, Ireland. The prize included a chance to audition for CBS Records.

In 1979 the Sony Walkman is introduced, Margaret Thatcher became the first woman to hold the highest office in a European country. John Wayne died; Mother Teresa won Nobel Peace prize. The “No Nukes” concert was held in Madison Square Garden, NY, and the 80s were upon us.

I was born in this great city of Tucson in 1958. My father was a carpenter and well off, making the average wage of about $4,200 per year. Considering that America was in recession and the unemployment rate was 7.0%, this really wasn’t bad money. He drove a brand-new, big gas-guzzling, light-beige truck, which in 1958 cost under $2,000, and since gas was only a quarter a gallon, he could afford it.

His truck was part of his toolset as he hauled lumber to and from different jobs, including helping build a set for “Gunsmoke” in 1958. This would be the first of many movie sets he would build throughout the years.

My mother was a housewife who took care of my sister and me on a rather tight budget, but she made it work. A half-gallon of milk cost about .42¢ and a loaf of bread about .20¢. Tater tots, Jif peanut butter, Rice-a-Roni, and Cocoa Krispies were all invented that year. Frozen foods were all the rage and 400-million frozen pot pies were sold in the U.S. Though I was just an infant in 1958, I had many wonderful foods to look forward to as soon as I cut some teeth.

In Tucson, the summers of the late 50s were a time to pack up the gear and head to Roosevelt Lake, which was an affordable way to spend the weekends. Packages of hotdogs were a quarter and cold soda was a nickel a bottle. Campers and boaters listened to transistor radios, playing “At the Hop,” by Danny and the Juniors, “Tequilla,” by The Champs, and “Get a Job,” by The Silhouettes. Elvis was singing “Jailhouse Rock” and Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Great Balls of Fire” was at the top of the charts.

More than 45 million Americans had TV sets and Tucsonans were watching shows such as “Gunsmoke”, “The Danny Thomas Show”, “Have Gun Will Travel,” “Father Knows Best,” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” 1958 was the peak year for drive-in movies with over 4,000 outdoor theaters nationwide. Popular movies that could be seen at the downtown Fox Theater included, South Pacific, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Gigi, with Leslie Caron. Let’s not leave out such classics as The Blob and The Fly, which are not to be confused with a fly that looks like a blob.

The Hoola Hoop was introduced and sold over 20 million in four months. It was also the year the last of the Packards rolled off the auto-assembly line. It was the year that American Express introduced the charge card.  In 1958, George Harrison joined a band named the Quarrymen. The lineup included a school buddy, Paul McCartney, and the band’s founder, John Lennon. Who knew that later, this team would end up being The Beatles and history would be made? This alone made1958 more magical.