How Well Do You Know '70s Pop Culture?

By: John Miller
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
How Well Do You Know '70s Pop Culture?
Image: thewhorocks524

About This Quiz

If the 1960s were a 20-car pop culture pileup, the 1970s were a time for America and the world in general to return to a something that resembled normalcy. Many people, particularly broad swaths of the middle class, rejected "far out” arts in favor of more typical fare. Everything from music to Broadway plays found a distinctly ‘70s tilt - in our daunting "Me Decade” quiz, what do you remember about the pop culture of the 1970s?

In film, the ‘70s produced some of the most memorable titles of the entire century. Some movies, like "Apocalypse Now” and "A Clockwork Orange” were outright startling in their content, but they drew massive crowds, anyway. Other big films like "The Sting,” "Deliverance,” "Fiddler on the Roof” and "Patton” all made a lasting mark. Do you recall the other major blockbusters of this decade?

The Seventies were an equally fertile time for music. Hippie music maintained its grip on the counterculture, but glam rock and disco exploded in popularity. Acts like the Jackson 5, the Eagles, the Ramones, and the Bee Gees found immense success all over world. But the deaths of icons like Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby left an unmistakable stain of sadness, too. What do you remember about the music of the ‘70s?

The ‘70s were the days of the Nixon and Carter Administrations, the decade in which the Vietnam War finally ended, and pop culture once again regenerated itself. Take our ‘70s pop culture right now and see if you're a hairy-chested champion or a greaser still stuck in the ‘50s!

Which TV show dominated the ratings in the ‘70s?
"The Golden Girls"
"All in the Family"
"Family Ties"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Archie Bunker and his family were the focal point of "All in the Family," the most popular show in the ‘70s. It was a sitcom, yes, but the show also tackled sensitive issues such as homosexuality, racism and a lot more during its nine-season run.

During the ‘70s, Terry Bradshaw was a winning quarterback for which NFL team?
Miami Dolphins
New York Giants
New York Giants
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Male pattern baldness has never looked so good - Bradshaw never had gaudy numbers, but he always led the Steelers to big wins. He won four Super Bows in the Seventies.

In 1977, which band released an immensely popular album titled "Rumours"?
Pink Floyd
Fleetwood Mac
The Melvins
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With songs like "Go Your Own Way" and "Don't Stop," Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" was the number one album of 1977. The band still tours today largely on the strength of this album.

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"Blazing Saddles" was a major Hollywood hit in 1974. What sort of movie is it?
sci-fi
comedy
action
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1974, the offbeat Western comedy "Blazing Saddles" made director Mel Brooks look like a genius. The film directly addresses racial stereotypes and manages to be funny in the process.

Which musical, with high school students as its central characters, drew huge crowds during the ‘70s?
"Rent"
"Grease"
"The Lion King"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1971, "Grease" started its run on Broadway in New York. The musical was later adapted into a 1978 film of the same name.

Which clothing fabric had its heyday in the 1970s?
polyester
denim
vinyl
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the ‘70s, polyester was all the rage. Paired with bright colors, polyester was what all the cool kids were wearing.

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"Dallas" was a very popular TV show in the late ‘70s. What kind of show was it?
comedy
action
soap opera
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was a prime-time soap opera that struck a chord in America, starring the evil J.R. Ewing doing everything in his power to make big bucks as a Texas oil tycoon. The show ran from 1978 to 1991.

In 1973, which NFL squad became the first and only undefeated team in league history?
Kansas City Chiefs
Pittsburgh Steelers
Miami Dolphins
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Only one team has ever one every single regular season game and also the Super Bowl. That was the ‘72 Dolphins, who won the Super Bowl on January 14, 1973.

Which 1970 Ford model was incredibly popular in America?
Galaxie
Bronco
Fiesta
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 1970 Ford Galaxie was a pretty boring sedan. But apparently that was exactly what consumers in the U.S. wanted - it was the country's best-selling car.

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Which artist released two of the top-selling albums of the decade?
Black Sabbath
Celine Dion
Elton John
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Elton John was in his prime during the ‘70s. Two years in a row, ‘74 and ‘75, he had the number one album, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Elton John's Greatest Hits."

What sort of facial hair was very common for men in the Seventies?
soul patches
sideburns
goatees
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sideburns - big, hairy, beefy sideburns - became very common in the 1970s. Mustaches were cool then, too, and not associated primarily with artist types.

In 1976, Oldsmobile scored a big hit with its _____.
Caravan
Cutlass
Skylark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The ‘76 Oldsmobile Cutlass became the most popular car in America. The Supreme coupe version was an especially hot seller.

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In the ‘70s, Jack Nicklaus was dominating which sport?
golf
tennis
water polo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nicklaus, The Golden Bear, used his powerful swing and blonde locks to dominate golf's fairways in the ‘70s. He eventually won 18 major titles, more than anyone else in history.

The Pontiac _____ was a very popular sports car in the 1970s.
Aztek
Firebird
Festiva
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As part of the muscle car trend of the 60's and ‘70s, the Pontiac Firebird became an icon. Versions with a great big Firebird painted right on the hood were especially cool.

In 1972, Marlon Brando starred in which mafia movie?
"The Godfather"
"Scarface"
"Top Gun"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1972's "The Godfather," Brando was a revelation, thrilling audiences with his cold, calculating depiction of a mob boss. "The Godfather" is often called one of the best movies of the century.

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A rock opera by the name of ______ took Broadway by storm in the ‘70s.
"Miss Saigon"
"Into the Woods"
"Jesus Christ Superstar"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Andrew Lloyd Webber drew rave reviews for his work with "Jesus Christ Superstar," which hit Broadway in 1971. It centers around the conflict between Jesus and his betrayer, Judas.

Which clothing item became commonplace for women - for the first time - in the 1970s?
hats
dresses
pants
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before the ‘70s, few women wore pants regularly. In this decade, though, pants became commonplace for women just about everywhere.

In 1977, the Chevrolet _____ became the best-selling car in America.
Accord
Camaro
Impala
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chevy Impala lost a foot of length and a quarter-ton of weight in 1977, and Americans loved the trim new look. It was the country's favorite car that year.

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Which popular music group dissolved in 1970?
Guns N' Roses
The Rolling Stones
the Beatles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Beatles owned the ‘60s, turning pop culture upside down - but their star faded just as quickly. In 1970, the band broke up for good.

Which pro baseball team won three consecutive World Series titles in the 1970s?
Philadelphia Phillies
Oakland Athletics
Atlanta Braves
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was a run of success most baseball fans can only dream of - from ‘72 to ‘74, Oakland won the World Series. Then, the team won the Series again in ‘89 ... and has been in a drought ever since.

In 1972, Neil Young released a best-selling album titled _______.
"The Wall"
"Harvest"
"Ten"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Harvest" was a huge hit for Young, and it soared to the number one spot on the Billboard charts. One track, "Heart of Gold," became a number one hit.

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In 1970, Diana Ross ditched which popular group to embark on a solo career?
The Who
The Supremes
The Bee Gees
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1970, Diana Ross opted to leave The Supremes, the Motown group that helped make her famous. Ross's career didn't suffer - she continued as an even bigger singing star.

Which college basketball team dominated much of the 1970s?
Boston College
UCLA
Kentucky
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Led by legendary coach John Wooden, 1970s UCLA basketball hit a stretch of success that will never, ever be equaled. The team won five - five - titles in this decade alone.

In 1970, two iconic musicians died. Which of the following artists did NOT die in 1970?
Jimi Hendrix
Buddy Holly
Janis Joplin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Buddy Holly died in a 1959 plane crash. Hendrix and Joplin, though, both died in 1970, and both of drug-related issues, inspiring legions of wannabe rock stars like Kurt Cobain to do the same.

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In 1977, a Broadway musical named _____ revolved about an orphan of the same name.
"Annie"
"Amy"
"Clara"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Based on the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," "Annie" the musical got its start in 1977. Rave reviews and a popular following helped this show last six years on Broadway.

What was the name of film that made Mark Hamill famous in 1977?
"Dirty Harry"
"Battlestar Galactica"
"Star Wars"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1977, "Star Wars" found Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, perhaps the biggest hero of the 20th century, as he learned to harness the Force to battle ultimate evil.

In 1973, Muhammad Ali lost his heavyweight boxing title to which boxer?
Bill Walton
Joe Frazier
Mike Tyson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

By 1973, Ali's dominance was fading. He lost his title belt to Joe Frazier ... who then lost to George Foreman, who later became even more famous for his informerical indoor grills.

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Which team beat the Vikings in Super Bowl IV?
Miami Dolphins
Kansas City Chiefs
Green Bay Packers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Super Bowl IV, the Minnesota Vikings were heavy favorites, but the Chiefs and their stout defense pulled the upset, winning 23-7 in January 1970.

Which terrifying movie hit theaters in 1973?
"Carrie"
"The Exorcist"
"Misery"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A vomiting spell has never been so horrifying. "The Exorcist" depicted a young girl possessed by a demon, and inspired nightmares in an entire generation of scarred children.

In 1974, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the _____ to he NBA Finals.
Orlando Magic
Boston Celtics
Milwaukee Bucks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before his days as a Laker, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a star center for the Milwaukee Bucks, and he led the team to the Finals against Boston. They lost four games to three.

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