Can You Complete This Life in the '70s Quiz Without Missing Any Questions?

By: Isadora Teich
Image: Steven Errico/DigitalVision/GettyImages

About This Quiz

The 1970s are sometimes known as the "Me Decade," because individualism was on trend and in full swing. Many consider this decade to be the pinnacle of rock and roll, with influential musicians like the members of Led Zeppelin and David Bowie dominating the music world. This is the decade that brought us glam rock, platform shoes, peasant tops, and pet rocks. It was a decade where youth counterculture evolved but continued to dominate, even though the era of flower power was over.  

This decade remains influential to this day, with its fashions still having a far-flung influence. Around the world, you can still see people wearing bell-bottoms and big sunglasses even today, and still looking chic. Also, even a generation or two later, rock and roll and rebellion have not gone out of style. The 1970s also brought us "Star Wars," which changed the face of pop culture forever. While this decade is largely considered a golden age of music, movies, and TV, it also definitely has its dark side, too. 

If you are a true lover of this decade who knows that disco never really died, put your hot pants on and see if you can get down with this life in the '70s quiz! 

Which famous band broke up in 1970?

The Beatles broke up in the spring of 1970. They did this before the release of their last album "Let It Be."

What important cultural icon opened in the US during this decade?

Walt Disney World opened in the fall of 1971. The original Disney world was oddly empty and did not look much like the one that is known and loved today. It had a famously difficult opening day.

What does it mean to "get the skinny" on something?

This was a popular phrase back in the '70s. Someone who said "Let me give you the skinny on the situation" was saying that they were going to give you all the details of it.

Who went solo in 1970?

Diana Ross was initially part of the group The Supremes, one of the most popular Motown acts of the 1960s. In 1970, she left the group to go solo.

Which of these fabrics was popular for disco club clothing?

Spandex hot pants and other bottoms were all the rage at the height of disco. Disco attire was designed mostly to show off the body and shine under the club lights.

John Bonham was the member of which band that defined '70s rock?

John Bonham was the the drummer of the famous Led Zeppelin. Founded by guitarist Jimmy Page in London, the other members were vocalist Robert Plant and bass and keyboard player John Paul Jones.

Was hippie fashion still popular in the 1970s?

It is common for fashions to go in and out of style regardless of decade, and for there to be a slight blend between decades as fashion naturally evolves. Many things from the 1960s, such as homemade accessories, bell bottom pants and tie dye were still popular in the 1970s.

Which famous musician died in 1970?

Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 from an overdose. Some people, however, have other theories as to what killed him and it has been debated by music lovers for decades.

Who was the first president of the US during the 1970s?

Richard Nixon was president from 1969 until 1974. He was the 37th US president and the only one to ever resign.

What government agency was created during the Nixon administration?

Less than a year into Nixon's presidency, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened its doors. The job of the EPA is to create laws and standards that protect both human health and the health of the environment.

In 1971, Americans could do what for the first time?

Amtrak began service in May of 1971. Even back then, you could get from coast to coast on Amtrak.

Which iconic film, which is said to be one of the best ever made, came out in the early '70s?

"The Godfather" was released in 1972. It was based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo and directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Which war was controversial during the 1970s?

The Vietnam War was fought in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia from 1955-1975. It became especially controversial in the 1960s and 1970s, with many Americans feeling that the US should not have been involved in it at all.

Which hit show premiered in 1972 and ran for over a decade?

"M*A*S*H" is a truly iconic show that captured the hearts of millions of Americans. Its finale episode, after a nearly 10-year run, was one of the most watched television events in history.

What genre of TV appeared for the first time in the 1970s?

In winter of 1973, the first ever reality TV show premiered. The PBS show called "An American Family" profiled the Loud family.

Which iconic artist died in 1973?

Pablo Picasso died on April 8th 1973. The iconic Spanish artist died at age 91 of congestive heart failure in France.

The character "The Fonz" came from which popular '70s show?

"Happy Days" was one of the most iconic shows of the decade. It ran from 1974-1984 and had over 250 episodes across 11 seasons.

Which famous writer emerged during the 1970s?

Stephen King's first horror novel "Carrie" came out in 1974. He also wrote "The Dead Zone" and "The Stand" during this decade, cementing himself as a true master of horror.

Why did Nixon resign as president in 1974?

Nixon announced his resignation as president during the summer of 1974. The Watergate Scandal involved the Nixon administration's attempt to cover up their involvement with a break in at the Democratic National Committee's headquarters. Investigation into it led to numerous illegal activities the administration was taking part in getting discovered.

Which famous '70s flick defined the summer blockbuster?

"Jaws" hit theaters in June of 1974 and pop culture was never the same. This smash hit also spiked a mass shark hysteria in real life.

How did "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" do at the box office when it was first released?

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was released in 1975. It initially performed poorly in theaters, but when on to become a pop culture milestone and massive cult hit.

Which iconic TV show premiered in 1975?

"SNL" premiered in 1975. The first ever host was the famous comedian George Carlin. To date, he is the only host of the show who chose not to appear in any of the show's sketches.

What kind of outfit became popular for women during the 1970s?

In the 1970s, the pantsuit was a radical statement. It became popular for women both in and out of professional settings.

Which musician was known for personas such as Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke?

David Bowie defined glam rock, and his numerous musical and aesthetic changes throughout the 1970s made him one to watch. He switched between masculinity and femininity and numerous musical styles in ways no one could predict.

Which standup comedian owned the 1970s?

Richard Pryor's anti-establishment comedy and examinations on race made him a rockstar of the '70s. In the mid-'70s. he took home the Grammy for Best Comedy Album multiple times.

Which world-changing company was founded in 1976?

Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne formed Apple Computer, Inc in 1976. Their first ever product was the Apple I computer, which Wozniak designed and built himself.

What helped to make disco huge in the '70s?

The 1977 film "Saturday Night Fever" starring John Travolta is one of the most iconic films of the '70s. It brought disco front and center and helped to make it a massive craze.

Which band released the massively iconic rock album "Rumours" in 1977?

To this day, "Rumours" is one of the best selling albums in the US of all time. It was recorded by the band during a period of intense struggle and turmoil between its members.

When was the first "Star Wars" movie released?

The first ever "Star Wars" film was released in 1977 and changed the world forever. A massive pop culture phenomenon, it began with this groundbreaking film that defined sci-fi blockbuster.

Who was the Son of Sam?

David Berkowitz was an American serial killer who terrorized New York City in 1976 and 1977 with a series of fatal shootings. He managed to evade the police during a massive manhunt, leaving them mocking letters, before eventually getting caught. He gained international fame for his crimes as the Son of Sam.

Who starred in the film "Grease" alongside John Travolta?

"Grease" premiered in the summer of 1978 and was an instant smash hit. It starred Olivia Newton-John as the famous Sandy, a good girl who goes bad for her high school sweetheart. To this day, it is one of the highest grossing movie musicals of all time.

What did the Jonestown Massacre involve?

In 1978 cult leader Jim Jones led 900 of his followers to commit suicide by drinking flavored drink laced with cyanide in their Guyana Commune. Until 9/11, this event had the largest civilian death toll of any non-natural tragedy in US history.

Which of these models was one of the biggest supermodels of the 1970s?

Iman was one of the most successful models of the 1970s. She was a muse for many famous designers. Yves Saint-Laurent once even described her as his "dream woman."

Which of these took over in the 1970s?

One piece jumpsuits became incredibly popular for women in the mid-1970s. Many had flared legs, like popular at the time bell bottom pants.

Who was the last president of the 1970s?

Jimmy Carter served as the 39th oresident of the US from 1977-1981. He was a famously unpopular president.

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