1975 Facts, Fun Trivia and History

Posted by Joe Hummel IIIPosted 48 years ago December 30, 1975

1975 Facts, Fun Trivia and History

Quick Facts from 1975

World Changing Event: HBO put itself on the Pop Culture Map when it broadcast the “Thrilla in Manila” – the heavyweight boxing championship match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier live from the Philippines.
The Top Song was Love Will Keep Us Together by The Captain and Tennille
The Movies to Watch include Jaws and The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Most Famous Person in America was probably Muhammad Ali
Notable books include The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins and Shogun by James Clavell
Price of a gallon of gas in 1975: 53 cents
Price of a movie ticket: $2.00
One once of gold value: $139.29
The Funny Guy was Richard Pryer
The Funny Lady was Carol Burnett
The Conversation: Did you see Jaws? It was the first summertime Hollywood Blockbuster film.

Top Ten Baby Names of 1975

Jennifer, Amy, Heather, Melissa, Angela, Michael, Jason, Chris, Topher, James, David

Fashion Icons and Sex Symbols

Adrienne Barbeau, Barbi Benton, Lynda Carter, Charo, Britt Ekland, Beverly Johnson, Pam Grier, Diana Ross, Cheryl Tiegs, Mary Woronov

Sex Symbols, Hollywood Hunks and Leading Men

Warren Beatty, Sean Connery

“The Quotes”

“Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.”
– McDonalds

“I’d rather be dead than sing Satisfaction when I’m 45.”
-Mick Jagger, at age 33

“We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
– Roy Scheider, in ‘Jaws’

“We answer to a higher authority.”
– Hebrew National

“The ultimate driving machine”
– BMW

“Attica! Attica!”
– Al Pacino, in ‘Dog Day Afternoon’

“Don’t leave home without it.”
-American Express

Time Magazine’s Women of the Year

American Women, Represented by Susan Brownmiller, Kathleen Byerly, Alison Cheek, Jill Conway, Betty Ford, Ella Grasso, Carla Hills, Barbara Jordan, Billie Jean King, Carol Sutton, Susie Sharp, and Addie Wyatt

Miss America

Shirley Cothran (Denton, TX)

Miss USA

Summer Bartholomew (California)

The Scandals

Clayton Moore, who played the Lone Ranger on TV for 169 episodes and two feature films in the 1950s, was sued by the Wrather Corporation, who owned the Lone Ranger character by copyright. Although forever typecast, he proudly carried the character role and made appearances as The Ranger. After the suit, he wore wrap-around sunglasses instead of the mask.

Union Teamster Jimmy Hoffa disappeared.

1975 Pop Culture Facts & History

In 1975, Leonard Nimoy published his autobiography I Am Not Spock. In 1995, he published a second volume, I Am Spock.

The laser printer was invented.

Kool-Aid man began appearing in commercials for Kool-Aid, although the smiling pitcher was the face of Kool-Aid since 1954.

The Ford F-150 truck was introduced.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest won the big five Oscars – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Writing.

Bruce Crapton played the lowest PGA score of 63.

The Herman Goelitz company introduced the gourmet jelly bean. The original flavors were Licorice, Lemon, Grape, Root Beer, Cream Soda, Green Apple, Tangerine, and Very Cherry. It was rebranded as ‘Jelly Belly’ in 2001.

Betamax (Beta) videotape was released.

Robert Williams, a Ford assembly line worker, is the first human in history to have been killed by a robot. A robotic arm hit him in 1979.

Cost of a Superbowl ad in 1975: $107,000

The Habits

Caring for Pet Rocks, an invention credited to Gary Dahl but also claimed by PCM website founder Joe Hummel, who sold them as a preteen in the early 1970s. And avoiding the beaches, thanks to the film Jaws.

1st Appearances & 1975’s Most Popular Christmas Gifts, Toys and Presents

Mood rings, Pay Day, Pong (home version), Six Million Dollar Man action figures, Playmobil, Pet Rocks, Trac Ball

The Bomb (Television)

McLean Stevenson quit CBS’s TV Show M*A*S*H

Best Film Oscar Winner

The Godfather, part II (presented in 1975)

Broadway Shows

The Wiz (Musical) Opened on January 5, 1975 and closed on January 28, 1979
Shenandoah (Musical) Opened on January 7, 1975 and closed on August 7, 1977
Same Time, Next Year (Play) Opened on March 14, 1975 and closed on September 3, 1978
A Chorus Line (Musical) Opened on July 25, 1975 and closed on April 28, 1990

Popular and Best-selling Books From 1975

Centennial by James Michener

The Choirboys by Joseph Wambaugh

Curtain by Agatha Christie

Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany

The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins

The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux

The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton

The Greek Treasure by Irving Stone

Humboldt’s Gift by Saul Bellow

I Am Not Spock by Leonard Nimoy

J R by William Gassis

Looking for Mr. Goodbar by Judith Rossner

The Moneychangers by Arthur Hailey

Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! by Dr. Seuss

Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Shogun by James Clavell

Something Happened by Joseph Heller

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

1975 Most Popular TV Shows

1. All in the Family (CBS)

2. Rich Man, Poor Man (ABC)

3. Laverne & Shirley (ABC)

4. Maude (CBS)

5. The Bionic Woman (ABC)

6. Phyllis (CBS)

7. Sanford and Son (NBC)

8. Rhoda (CBS)

9. The Six Million Dollar Man (ABC)

10. Happy Days (ABC)

1975 Billboard Number One Songs

December 28, 1974 – January 3, 1975:
Angie Baby – Helen Reddy

January 4 – January 17:
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds – Elton John

January 18 – January 24:
Mandy – Barry Manilow

January 25 – January 31:
Please Mr. Postman – The Carpenters

February 1 – February 7:
Laughter In The Rain – Neil Sedaka

February 8 – February 14:
Fire – Ohio Players

February 15 – February 21:
You’re No Good – Linda Ronstadt

February 22 – February 28:
Pick Up The Pieces – AWB

March 1 – March 7:
Best Of My Love – The Eagles

March 8 – March 14:
Have You Never Been Mellow – Olivia Newton-John

March 15 – March 21:
Black Water – The Doobie Brothers

March 22 – March 28:
My Eyes Adored You – Frankie Valli

March 29 April 4:
Lady Marmalade – LaBelle

April 5 – April 11:
Lovin’ You – Minnie Riperton

April 12 – April 25:
Philadelphia Freedom – The Elton John Band

April 26 – May 2:
(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song – B. J. Thomas

May 3 – May 23:
He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You) – Tony Orlando and Dawn

May 24 – May 30:
Shining Star – Earth, Wind & Fire

May 31 – June 6:
Before The Next Teardrop Falls – Freddy Fender

June 7 – June 13:
Thank God I’m A Country Boy – John Denver

June 14 – June 20:
Sister Golden Hair – America

June 21 – July 18:
Love Will Keep Us Together – The Captain & Tennille

July 19 – July 25:
Listen To What The Man Said – Paul McCartney & Wings

July 26 – August 1:
The Hustle – Van McCoy/The Soul City Symphony

August 2 – August 8:
One Of These Nights – The Eagles

August 9 – August 22:
Jive Talkin’ – Bee Gees

August 23 – August 29:
Fallin’ In Love – Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds

August 30 – September 5:
Get Down Tonight – KC and the Sunshine Band

September 6 – September 19:
Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell

September 20 – September 26:
Fame – David Bowie

September 27 – October 10:
I’m Sorry – John Denver

October 11 – October 31:
Bad Blood – Neil Sedaka

November 1 – November 21:
Island Girl – Elton John

November 22 – November 28:
That’s The Way (I Like It) – KC and the Sunshine Band

November 29 – December 26:
Fly, Robin, Fly – Silver Convention

December 27, 1975 – January 2, 1976:
Let’s Do It Again – The Staple Singers

Sports

World Series Champions: Cincinnati Reds

Superbowl IX Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers

NBA Champions: Golden State Warriors

Stanley Cup Champs: Philadelphia Flyers

U.S. Open Golf Lou Graham

U.S. Tennis: (Men/Ladies) Manuel Orantes/Christine Marie Evert

Wimbledon (Men/Women): Arthur Ashe/Billie Jean King

NCAA Football Champions: Oklahoma

NCAA Basketball Champions: UCLA

Kentucky Derby: Foolish Pleasure