Beech Tree News Network

Recently, I read that Linda Ronstadt has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and is unable to sing. Ronstadt was an outstanding singer, and her songs transport me to another time: the 1970s.

As is each decade, the ‘70s was a time of change. It was the time that I recognized much of my environment was non-renewable and understood the need to take better care of our world. I came to see oil as a precious commodity. During this time, interest rates were high (eventually reaching 12% per year), causing higher loan payments (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970s). New devices such as pocket calculators, microwave ovens, and VCRs became available. And, finally, the Vietnam War ended in 1975. I remember being grateful when I heard that announcement because so many in my age group had served and several didn’t get to come home.

In the ‘70s entertainment world, a good deal happened. The decade produced many memorable films. Wikipedia reported the top ten highest-grossing films of the decade: Star Wars, Jaws, Grease, The Exorcist, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, The Godfather, Saturday Night Fever, Rocky, and Jaws 2. In a few of these movies, some of the fashions of the time were evident: bell-bottom pants and platform shoes. I also remember spending many happy hours reading good paperback books. But, perhaps the most memorable art form of the decade was the music: for example, ABBA, Aerosmith, The Carpenters, The Temptations, the Village People, the Eagles, Janis Joplin, Jim Croce, and Linda Ronstadt.

Others have reminisced about the 1970s:
•    In those days, the late 1970s, one of the leading politicians was a soon-to-be uncle by marriage of Arnold Schwarzenegger, named Ted Kennedy. – Michael Kinsley
•    In the 1970s we saw a massive shift of household savings from the banks to the brokerage firms. – Ron Chernow
•    Not to wax nostalgic about the 1970’s, but back then people got upset when they saw injustice. They got tired of seeing our air, land and water polluted. They were shocked when the Cuyahoga River in Ohio was polluted so badly it caught fire. And on one great day, 20 million Americans marched all across this land. Politicians had no choice but to take notice. –John Kerry

Historically, the 1970s probably won’t be remembered as the greatest decade, but it was a good time for me. I went to college, got married, became a mother, and entered the workforce. And, when I cleaned, the radio played loudly, including Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good” and “Desperado.” Good times.