Posted November 11, 200618 yr In Manchester the first test tube baby was born, and The Invasion of the Body Snatchers started at UK cinemas. http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/lyndacarter173.jpg Wonder Woman, Blake's 7, and The Incredible Hulk revived TV sci-fi, while the first classes enrolled at London's Grange Hill comprehensive. http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/larry_hagman173.jpg JR tried on his first ten gallon hat in Dallas and Anna Ford became ITN's first female newsreader. The jogging craze reached its height and Lycra took off - but runners would have to wait another year for the launch of the Sony Walkman. Brian and Michael painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs in their musical tribute to LS Lowry. New Wave New Wave was the new punk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/jam173.jpg This was fashion with all the aggressiveness and menace of punk but with the style of the Teddy Boys of the 1950s. Bands like The Boomtown Rats and The Jam were leading the New Wave revolution in 1978, as studded leather gave way to sharp suits, Brothel Creeper shoes, mohair jumpers and Slim Jim ties. Crazy Boots http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/boots173.jpg In 1978, every woman wanted to step into Wonder Woman's shoes - quite literally. Crazy boots were in, and men weren't complaining, especially when they were worn with hot pants. The original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, pulled it off very well, unlike some more unfortunate hot-pants wearing women in 1978. Jogging and Lycra http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/trackietop173.jpg The UK's first jogging craze was in full swing. Irridescent tracksuits and figure-hugging Lycra were to be seen in many parks. Everywhere lardy ladies in leggings were scaring the ducks as they stomped around the local recreation ground. The distrubing trend for Lycra was exacerbated by Wonder Woman. The launch of the Superman film, featuring Christopher Reeve in a natty Lycra bodysuit encouraged even the odd (very odd) bloke to get in on the act. Meanwhile rollerskaters and skateboarders brought yet more stretchy sports wear onto the high street.
November 11, 200618 yr Author Grease http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/olivia173.jpg One of Broadway's biggest ever hits became Hollywood's blockbuster of the year and the most successful movie musical. Evoking nostalgia for 1950s America, it is the tale of teenage love and school cliques with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Danny's a 'T-Bird' but Sandy is too pure and good to be a 'Pink Lady' and feels she has to become cool in order to win Danny back. Superman: The Movie http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/superman173.jpg Christopher Reeve and Gene Hackman star in the epic, big-budget version of the 'Man of Steel' legend. Clark Kent works for the Daily Planet in Metropolis but must hide his real identity as Superman from his colleagues, in particular Lois Lane. Comedic criminal Lex Luthor makes life difficult for Clark and don't forget Marlon Brando's cameo role as Superman's father. Midnight Express http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/johnhurt173.jpg Based on a true story, Midnight Express is a harrowing tale of a naïve American tourist imprisoned in a Turkish prison after being caught smuggling a large amount of hashish out of the country. The conditions are intolerable with violence, filth, rape and inedible food but Billy Hayes (Brad Davis) does manage to gain a few confidantes behind bars. When he can't take any more, he decides to take the 'midnight express' - prison slang for escape. Also stars John Hurt as an intelligent, drug-addicted Englishman.
November 11, 200618 yr actually new wave was based on the 60's mod scene, not the teddy boys whos 'revival' was a few years earlier with wizzard, showaddywaddy, rubettes, mud etc.. :) paul weller was a huge kinks fan, and adapted the whos mod imagery..
November 11, 200618 yr but '78 was a fantastic year for music/youth culture with the advent of punk kicking off a whole new range of thought and innovation coupled with the american disco scene and the 'grease' phenomenon. plus 2 of our greatest ever iconic female pop stars emerged.... kate bush and siouxsie sioux.
November 11, 200618 yr Author Twelve Inch Vinyl http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/twelveinch173.jpg Size mattered in 1978. Until then seven inches was enough to satisfy any record lover - but not anymore. The 12 inch single had been around since the mid-Seventies, and was invented mainly to hype disco songs and for use by DJs - because it could generate more bass than a standard record. But soon fans started buying 12-inches instead of albums - realising that most disco albums were, in fact, rubbish. As dance and reggae took off in the late Seventies, the 12 inch became the only format to be seen with, peaking in 1983 with New Order's 'Blue Monday', the biggest selling 12 inch ever. Boomtown Rats http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/boomtown173.jpg Boomtown Rats were the first so-called New Wave band to appear on Top Of The Pops and did so with great relish. They had knocked John Travolta and Olivia Newton John off the top spot and were so pleased with their achievement they tore up pictures of John Travolta as they began to sing! The most famous member of the band is undoubtedly Bob Geldof who first made a name for himself as a music journalist and later for organising Band Aid to raise money for the 1984 famine in Ethiopia.
November 11, 200618 yr Twelve Inch Vinyl http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/twelveinch173.jpg Size mattered in 1978. Until then seven inches was enough to satisfy any record lover - but not anymore. The 12 inch single had been around since the mid-Seventies, and was invented mainly to hype disco songs and for use by DJs - because it could generate more bass than a standard record. But soon fans started buying 12-inches instead of albums - realising that most disco albums were, in fact, rubbish. As dance and reggae took off in the late Seventies, the 12 inch became the only format to be seen with, peaking in 1983 with New Order's 'Blue Monday', the biggest selling 12 inch ever. Boomtown Rats http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/years/1978/images/boomtown173.jpg Boomtown Rats were the first so-called New Wave band to appear on Top Of The Pops and did so with great relish. They had knocked John Travolta and Olivia Newton John off the top spot and were so pleased with their achievement they tore up pictures of John Travolta as they began to sing! The most famous member of the band is undoubtedly Bob Geldof who first made a name for himself as a music journalist and later for organising Band Aid to raise money for the 1984 famine in Ethiopia. strange innit.... the boomtown rats 'looking after number 1' was everything bob geldof wasnt doing a few years later! lol...
November 11, 200618 yr Author strange innit.... the boomtown rats 'looking after number 1' was everything bob geldof wasnt doing a few years later! lol... LOL! Your right :)
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