PEOPLE Celebrate the '70s: 1976 Edition

Book excerpt: There were two Olympic Games, a fiercely fought presidential election and the bank-robbery trial of heiress hostage Patty Hearst. Moviegoers could choose between a sweaty, triumphant Rocky and the sweet transvestite of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Stevie, Elton and Diana towered in music, even as American punk took off with the Ramones, and disco took over the radio. Not that rock was dead: Peter Frampton had the top-selling LP. Then there was the tube. With fewer networks than there are today (and the VCR only just arriving), we watched together. Still devoted to the Fonz and Meathead, we also fell for Charlie's Angels. (“They don't smoke, hardly drink and won't do nude scenes. God bless America,” cheered another People reader.)