....INTRODUCTION: TO BE AMERICA Nobody would argue that America, in the second half of the 20th century, went through a social revolution equal to the industrial revolution in its effect on how people lived. There is, however, mounting disagreement as to when this transformation took place. The majority says it was the 1960s; a pushy new minority is arguing it was the 1970s. Of course, they are both wrong because history doesn't happen in decades. I would say that 1965-82 was the period in which we saw the unified playing out of a set of cultural ideas. Focusing in on them, one might say that 1975-80 was the period in which we really let it rip! Whatever one believes, the '70s is a much maligned and grossly ignored decade. And until we cut it out, identify it and give it a chance to speak for itself, the argument has on base.

As far as I'm concerned, the only history worth reading is about people. What I look for is how the images of men and women changed, along with the way they relate to one another. The following is an introduction to the '70s, in terms of how the artists who played the strongest roles in shapiing those changes played out their hands, linking themselves to each other in the unique collaboration that was the '70s signature....

Go to "Punk" section

Return to home page