The America We Knew: July 1977

Blackout in NYC! The America we knew is beginning to transform into the America we KNOW when you compare the looting and chaos that resulted from this blackout in 1977 to the much more peaceful blackout in 1965.

[@NickvonZ]

FredFlix was brought up in Taiwan today! I have been a teacher in Taiwan for 16 years, and today one of the lessons was about nostalgia. So I pulled up your channel on the big screen and explained how us folks that miss The Good Ol' Days enjoy your posts every day!

[@FredFlix]

Wow, Nick, thank you for spreading the word far and wide!

[@NickvonZ]

@@FredFlix You got it! 😸👍

[@abbagodz]

WOW, ABBA, Godzilla and Larry Kane all in one video! Thanks Fred!

[@FredFlix]

I try to diversify, abbagodz.

[@starmnsixty1209]

'77 was a terrific year👍👍👍

[@robertscott2210]

It's amazing, I can remember that blackout like it was last week, but I can hardly remember last week lol. Sketchy stuff, a bunch of us were at a concert and had to walk home in the dark at night. That was the second major blackout I experienced in my life, 1965 and 2003. Kudos for wrapping up with Free Bird, Fred, rock on!🤘🤘😁👍👍👍👍

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Robert. I just reported it, but you LIVED the blackout.

[@dougmorris9317]

MORE, MORE! This was awesome, thanks Fred! The summer of 77, my older brother was moving out to go to college, I was starting junior year in high school and finally got my own room. I hung 2 black velvet posters of Spock and Kirk, and one of Pam Grier holding a shotgun and looking pretty badass. Dad did not like that poster and nagged me about it for a couple months until I gave up and replaced it with Linda Ronstadt! Miss you, Dad! 😅❤

[@FredFlix]

Pam or Linda ... both pretty fine, Doug.

[@billyray8062]

Thanks for taking me back to the best time of my life, Fred!!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Billy.

[@alecfoster4413]

Thanks, as always, for the memories Fred! Carrie Fisher was so appealing! RIP

[@FredFlix]

That she was, Alec.

[@michaelrochester48]

I remember the blackout of 1977. People don’t realize it, but it did not just affect New York City but also Long Island. As far east as Suffolk County Long Island was affected.

[@antonmassopust568]

I love. The covers of the magazines and the coverage of the comic books that you covered.That's very cool

[@FredFlix]

Glad you enjoyed it, Anton.

[@greenmonsterprod]

I had that issue of "People" with Threepio on the cover. I'm sure it's long gone by now.

[@gregggoss2210]

Great episode Fred. I could have sat here all day watching that Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. I remember going to school the day after the plane crash and everyone was talking about it. Some good memories that summer, and some bad. Our family was forever changed that summer. Thanks again Fred 👍.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Gregg.

[@scott7876]

The Absent Minded Waiter short was hilarious! Also appreciate the Skynyrd clip!!🎸

[@FredFlix]

Sure thing, Scott.

[@ultimatevintagefan7747]

This one was awesome, Fred! Especially the music!

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

Ahhhh.. July 1977...17 y.o. and got my very first job as a dishwasher in a cafeteria to save up enough for my first car - GREAT TIMES!

[@DrummingMan1]

Ha ha ha we must be soulmates! I too was 17, got a job as a dishwasher but for me it was my first drum kit! Been playing ever since! Thumbs u🎉😊p

[@searchforthestrangler5034]

Nicely done with the sports addition . I thought I might have heard Andy Gibb's I just want to be you're everything in the background. That song seemed to play always on the radio during the summer of ' 77. It was such a huge hit for Andy Gibb

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Absolutely brilliant job 👍👏🍿🔥🍩🫖🍷🛼🎳

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, RTB.

[@Ij-jan]

Barney Miller was one of my favorite shows. A a matter of fact I liked several 70s TV shows. Thank you.😊

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Jan.

[@brendajeanproffitt6919]

Totally remember this wow Fred amazing thank you so much

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, friend Brenda.

[@bridgetmccracken1381]

One of the most iconic songs of the 70s to end this awesome video, thank you Fred!!!

[@FredFlix]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Bridget.

[@sixbladeknife44]

I was 9 yrs. old living in NY when the blackout happened, also the whole son of Sam thing/44 caliber killer…a summer to remember. Such a tragedy w/ Lynyrd Skynyrd (I later played guitar in a LS tribute band in high school), they were arguably the biggest band in the world at the time. All of them are gone now except for the drummer, RIP. Thanks Fred ✌️

[@FredFlix]

That's cool about your tribute band, 6blade.

[@michaelrochester48]

Thank you for posting my favorite ABBA song. Our family’s favorite ABBA song as well.

[@FredFlix]

Glad to do it, Michael.

[@pika23]

I remember the 2003 black out in the northeast. Everyone thought it was Iraq

[@scottanddebranelson8419]

thanks again sir.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, S&D.

[@mikedrown2721]

I turned 31 years old in 1977😊

[@2nostromo]

Youre doing good. As Clint Eastwood says, "Don't let the old man in." although in my case he's got all four feet in the door!

[@alecfoster4413]

In July of '77 I had just graduated from HS. 😁

[@robertscott2210]

​@@alecfoster4413 I was a year behind you, heading towards senior year.

[@garyfrancis6193]

I turned 27 in June that year. I was working evening shift until 9 PM as a bank computer operator. I don’t remember much of that year except flying down from Vancouver to LA in April that year for a ten day vacation and had a good time. The only other thing was getting off work and driving home and hearing Elvis had died I guess in August. That was only a few days after Groucho Marx had died. Don’t remember the blackout at all.

[@Foxonian]

Gergory Peck did for Mccarthur what George C. Scott did for Patton. Plus, Peck both resembled and sounded remarkably like the general as well.

[@JEM133]

Thanks Fred,awesome ending!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, JEM.

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

Another GREAT one, Fred..

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Litauen.

[@Cmon-Man]

What a year. I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd in Anaheim, I think it was right after that one in Oakland. Great show. Then the plane crash, devastating. Always great work Fred, thanks. I read a comment you’re being used as educational material in Taiwan. Wow, how cool is that.

[@FredFlix]

It's encouraging, Cmon. But I'm envious of your getting to see LS live.

[@ricknibert6417]

Had a new babysitter with three children all older than me 10-15. She drove a Pontiac Safari Wagon. Once a week we went to a beach called Pleasant Hill to go swimming.

[@mcn1127]

Farrah was everything back then!! Still have her posters in 2024.

[@alecfoster4413]

I was a Cheryl Ladd bloke myself. :D

[@NickvonZ]

I have an original red bathing suit one in mint condition. 🙂

[@tubekxb]

I was four, and have very fuzzy memories of the blackout.

[@c.c.r.9680]

Thanks for a great video Fred. The day of that black-out was my 12th birthday. I had that Star Wars comic and that Mad magazine issue .I remember when Mad went up to .60 cents ( More than a pack of smokes ) . I also remember Skynyrd playing a day on the green that month, Of course they didn't let me go. And thanks for putting in the bad news bears movie in there.

[@FredFlix]

My pleasure, c.c.r.

[@notinmyUSMC]

I lived in Queens during the blackout. All quiet there, but then saw the news the next day on how the animals came out and looted and destroyed their own neighborhoods in poor areas. Sad.

[@jehobden]

Nice job again, Fred! You missed Polly Holliday's first TVG cover appearance on her 40th birthday, July 2 (which was my brother's birthday too). She's still with us at 87. 2:28 - Anytime I see Lee Majors jogging certain sound effects come to mind. :) 2:45 - I've never seen either of those "Bad News Bears" movies (nor do I think I've missed much). 3:12 - New Mr. Taylor #7 was John Warner, who was elected to U.S. Senate from VA in 1978. She had #8 (who was her last) years after him. 3:57 - "Orca" won a Golden Turkey Award for "Worst Ripoff".

[@FredFlix]

I think you would enjoy the first Bad New Bears movie, Jon. I was pleasantly surprised by it in '76 and I think it still holds up today.

[@merce10554]

"Your love..." was a fav with the soft disco flow. TMI: I've heard of my best and dearest friend from college passing away. Not fair. She was a lovely, funny girl back then and one of the most openhearted persons I've ever met. I'm sure we'll meet again. We have to. OK, thank you, Fred-ssi. 💜🤟

[@FredFlix]

I know you'll meet again, Mercedes-ssi.

[@merce10554]

​@@FredFlixYesss. 👉👈💜🤟

[@Laine2539]

Newly graduated from High School, I was 18 years old, and wondered what’d I do in my new adult life.

[@RepentfollowJesus]

I miss the original herbal essence shampoo. It smelled sooo good. I wish they would bring that scent back. I was a teen that year.

[@iscariot666]

“Humanimals”

[@antsforall]

Another Great One! Can't believe that "John Boy's" career had fallen so far by 1977 that he was a co-host to Mike Douglass! Geese...

[@FredFlix]

Well, I don't know about that. Douglas had some exceptional co-hosts, including John and Yoko, I believe.

[@ricknibert6417]

It really fell in 1999 when PAX signed him to host It's A Miracle

[@StudioZ7]

The rest of the country became aware of the New York blackout when the network feeds to local television stations suddenly went dead.

[@theskilz00]

Yep, I remember I was watching Baretta and it just went black...then our local station told us what was going on.

[@RobertR3750]

One thing that strikes me is the men's hairstyles. Today, we associate that style with 70s porn. How times have changed in our attitude towards sex. Star Wars was very much on my mind that summer. Great look back, Fred.

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Robert.

[@Acejustforalaugh]

Freddy! Are you ready Freddy ? GO !

[@robhigh5991]

The Grand Illusion released on 7-7-77 *You knew it had to be special

[@matthewbaduria]

Race For Your Life Charlie Brown is a great movie, it was also known as The Island Of Dr.Moreau, Macarthur, and Bad News Bears. Etc.

[@pika23]

I have grateful dead terrapin station t shirt. It's tie dye and so cool @14:38

[@robertscott2210]

I still have the album.

[@peternighswander9629]

They remade Dr Moreau with Val Kilmer and Brando. Apparently, it was a hot mess. They even made a documentary about the experience. The 77 version looks pretty good 😊

[@Foxonian]

Probably the most faithful version of H.G Wells's novel to date.

[@Forcemaster2000]

A great look back at a great month and year!

[@FredFlix]

Glad you enjoyed it, Forcemaster.

[@dougbrowne9890]

Imagine being an elderly person during that blackout. How scary was that?! What a dud that Bad News Bears film. Orca, trying to ride the Jaws wave, and failing. Shock Waves is such great schlock. Anything with Peter Cushing is worth watching at least twice. Macarthur is okay. Never seen Moreau. *shrugs* Never a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd. I remember my English teacher being totally distraught over the crash. She even made her own shrine to the band on the bulletin board in the classroom. I just didn't understand it, until August 2, 1979. Thanks Fred.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Doug. I didn't appreciate LS t the time, but I certainly do now.

[@starmnsixty1209]

Anyone else miss the classic animated Peanuts movies? sigh ....

[@tomklock568]

I graduated from high school for this? Ha ha thanks Fred. Was now aiming toward college life in those days. Not all bad though. Thank you sir!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Tom.

[@ricardodecambre5108]

I was 16 living in NYC (BRONX) when this happened. It was like a riot when the city was burning up.

[@Josh-z4w]

Most of the people probably didn't see this broadcast because the power was out.

[@ronnieparker4311]

I find this month very interesting for myself! It’s the month before I started kindergarten! Star Wars that was an awesome time in movie history ! Rock on Fred! ⚡️space ace Ron⚡️

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Ron.

[@pika23]

Ahhh orca the jaws rip off

[@peternighswander9629]

Yes, but off the coast of Spain early this year , it’s been happening for real

[@asimplehorseman4648]

"Black outs", coming to a 'country' near you!!... Soon..... "Higher and higher" the song of my first love. "Free Bird!!!!!"(lol) Thanks Fred

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, ASH.

[@gittes98]

Orca- gee, wonder what that reminds us of.. Had that People mag with C 3PO on the cover until recently The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington- that one just sets itself up for all kinds of jokes.

[@yosephyisrael37]

I forgot 🍿

[@alecfoster4413]

Being reminded of some of this stuff I realize I forgot for a very good reason. It was forgettable. LOL

[@DrummingMan1]

OK it's time for August! There will be tears!

[@dennisdeleo74]

Fred, Ya shudda been dere, What a crazy time here in the Bronx… That blackout almost destroyed the depressed sections of our borough. You could smell the smoke of burning businesses all the way up in the northern area where I lived. And you still had that nut, Son of Sam, running around. It was a long hot summer. I was selling hotdogs at Yankee Stadium, and if you strayed too far in that area…☠️ That October, tragedy stuck Lynyard Skynyrd, but that was also the month that the Yankees became World Champions! Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!😅

[@FredFlix]

I sometimes wish I was there, Dennis. Maybe I would have grow up faster.

[@GaryAa56]

I still never saw star Wars all the way through.

[@edgardagosto1917]

8track tapes early A.I. technology 1977

[@Dorthy-wx9fq]

I was 16 and going to Allegheny high school in Allegheny California.

[@sandrabeld8965]

Wow just wow going in my freshman year at Butler High School in Louisville Kentucky man that was a great summer!! Thank you!!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Sandra.

[@michaelrochester48]

Fred is there gonna be anything about Bert Lance when he tried to get confirmed as OMB Director? I heard it was one of the first real embarrassment of the Jimmy Carter administration when Bert Lance had to resign after he could not be confirmed because of crooked business dealings.

[@FredFlix]

There is something about Lance in one of the news segments Michael, but I made this run a few months ago and I can't remember which video.

[@wheeler71]

🥨🎲🥫

[@mattm597]

America had its problems, but it was still GREAT!!!

[@ArmpitStudios]

And Minneapolis didn't even have a blackout a few years back, and it was nowhere close to peaceful. 🤬

[@bettyir4302]

Freebird. Star Wars was the only movie I ever waited in line to see. It was worth the wait.