The year was 1970.
We had moved back to Canada from Germany in 1969. (See previous instalments for details. Click HERE.)
Army brats are always the new kids in school and sometimes have a hard time making friends. Lucky for me, I found an Adonis named Steve, right in my home room.
By the time the new year came along, we were inseparable! Little did I know that heartbreak would follow, or that I would rediscover someone I had had a fleeting moment with the year before!
Popular that winter was a song from a movie, hits from a Dutch and a Canadian band, plus a beautiful ballad from a famous duo:
One of my close army brat friends from Germany had transferred to Ottawa at the same time we relocated to Toronto (Aug. 1969). She invited me to spend a few days with her during spring break.
The hippie era was still in full swing, and I looked the part, from the long, straight hair to the flowing tunic, bell-bottom jeans, peace necklace and fringed shoulder bag.
Unlike most young people of that era, drugs were of little interest to me. I was scared of them, having witnessed several “bad trips” by others. Instead, I blissed out on acid rock and other trappings of psychedelia. Music was my drug of choice then, as well as now.
My friend had decorated her room with blacklight posters and, yes, a lava lamp. It was here that I first listened to the album “In the Court of the Crimson King” by prog-rock band King Crimson.
Mesmerized, we played it again and again until we were utterly “spaced out,” letting the music permeate all of our senses. “Epitaph,” in particular, was so tragically beautiful it moved me to tears.
“Yes, I fear tomorrow I’ll be crying.”
During one of our shopping forays, I bought a copy of the album for myself and still have it, along with a vintage (1973) stereo to play it on. To this day, “Epitaph” has the same effect on me as it did all those years ago.
Other hits that spring:
The Moody Blues’ Question was prophetic, but I didn’t realize it at the time. (Watch the lyric video above and you’ll know what I mean! 💔)
I was in love with Steve (the Adonis, remember?), who lived across town. Neither one of us had a driver’s licence, so our relationship involved a lot of walking. The warm, sunny weather gave us a severe case of spring fever.
We spent many hours picnicking and making out down by the marina, fantasizing about sailing away on one of the lavish yachts. This idyll would end badly several months later (which you can read about further down).
At the end of the school year, my mother insisted we go back to Germany for the summer. The anguish of being separated from Steve for so long sent me into a deep depression.
We arranged to meet at the crack of dawn to say our tearful goodbyes. Running away together was a momentary temptation, but common sense won out.
While in Europe, I wrote Steve a couple of times but received no replies. The days dragged on, and I was eager to come home. It wasn’t a total loss, though. I picked up this snazzy poncho, which I still have, more than half a century later.
From the German hit parade that summer:
Upon returning home, imagine my devastation when, instead of a joyful reunion, Steve broke it off, saying, “I don’t feel the same anymore.” He left me standing in the park, where I collapsed onto the nearest bench, sobbing my heart out. Steve transferred to another school, and I never saw him again.
I was still disconsolate when school started that September, but something someone perked me right up after the first week…
When registering for school the previous year, I locked eyes with a mysterious stranger in the hallway. It was like the proverbial lightning bolt – instant attraction! His dark, almost black orbs bore into me, and I shivered in delight. Since my parents were there, I couldn’t say anything and turned away. That was the last I saw of him, until now!
Same piercing look, same devastating effect, plus long black hair, a beautiful, suede fringed jacket and a charming Italian accent. His name was Eric. He was standing there with his classmates, including a girl who would later become my closest friend and maid of honour.
“What happened to your boyfriend?” he asked.
“We broke up and he transferred to another school,” I murmured.
Eric grinned and said, “In that case, you’re probably free to come to the (football) game tonight.”
Heart racing, I replied: “Yes, tell me where and I’ll come.”
Thus began my friendship with the Italian contingent. They were all in grade 13 (an extra year for those going to university. People opting out of higher education were finished with Grade 12.) while I was two years behind.
Getting local airplay that fall:
What a turn of events! The rest of the year was a whirlwind of social activity as I became more and more besotted with Eric, who played it cool. When we did get together, it was total bliss.
Where were you in 1970? Join me for some #MusicalMemories! #dogladysden #memoir Share on X
This is a continuing series inspired by
“THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE”
at
It Rains…You Get Wet and Your Daily Dose
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The year was 1971:
Heartbreak, followed by tragedy, followed by true love!
Where were you in 1970?
Any memories you’d like to share?
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
25 thoughts on “THE YEAR WAS 1970 | #MusicalMemories”
The only one of these songs I’d ever heard in 1970 was Raindrops; I think it was on something like the Ed Sullivan Show; isn’t that something. lol In my day, I rarely heard pop music or… well, there’s no other way to say this… “white music” unless it was on a TV show of some kind. I never saw American Bandstand until around 1975. I did learn about Guess Who & No Time, but there’s a strange story around that one which I’ll share at another time. 🙂 Most of what you share above I never heard until I was in college in ’77 or ’78. As for 1970… Dad was in Vietnam and I was living in the ghetto in Kansas City, Missouri. I wish I could forget that period of time, but I can’t… and it shaped my life in ways I’d have never imagined.
Hi Mitch, thanks for re-visiting this post. 😉 We have lived very different lives with equally different musical tastes. (In your previous comment, you mentioned The Jackson Five.) I’d love to read about your connection to The Guess Who and No Time whenever you’d care to share it. I’m sorry that 1970 was such a terrible time for you! ? Yes, our lives are shaped by all experiences, good or bad. Yours seems to have turned out well. ?
I’ll give you the quick version. Everyone remembers 8-track players. What almost no one remembers, or even knew about, were 2-track players. Dad used to bring home the wildest things from his job, and one of those things was a 2-track player (another was a radio that picked up radio signals from all around the world). It came with cartridges that were much smaller than 8-tracks, thus has fewer songs and not all that many were made. One of the cartridges he brought home, and the only one I remember, was the Guess Who, and No Time was my favorite song on it. 🙂
As I often say, I had a strange childhood! lol
I went into the 9th grade in 1970. Good times. I had fun in my Wonder Bread years.
That is quite a collection of sound you feature. I have spent a great deal of time in what you might call “60s Music.” My golden era top five years was 1965 to 1969. So I went backward and forward about three years. I am just listening. It is cathartic.
I bet that guy who walked away from you had a hard life.
Nice to see you, Myke! 🙂 I agree that the best music started around 1965 and continued into the next decade. Music is SO cathartic. I have no idea what happened to Steve but don’t hold a grudge. ? Thanks for coming by.
I was in Topeka, Kansas, in 1970, as I was most of the time I was growing up. I loved music and friends and I played my records all the time on the little, portable stereo I got for Christmas one year. I’m sure the sound wasn’t very good, but I thought it was wonderful. I don’t have any memory of Epitaph, but I remember all of the other songs you’ve listed here. I still love them.
Love,
Janie
One of the best years for music. ? A portable stereo was a wonderful gift! ? I only had a mono record player.
You showcased some great music in this post. 1970 was my first full year of college and when I started going to a lot of concerts. Music was definitely a big part of my life then though I’ll have to admit to having used a lot of drugs then. I survived and that’s good.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
That you’re owning up to that is freaking me out Arlee! lol
Drugs seemed to be everywhere back then. Guess it was not that big of a deal. Thank goodness nothing really bad came from it.
It was a great year for music. ? Most people were taking drugs back then. Glad you weren’t harmed by the experience, Arlee!
Hi Debbie – fun to read … you obviously had a very strong connection with music – I love it, but am rather vague about it – sad to say!! Great fun to join you as you remember your musical memories. Happy memories indeed – cheers Hilary
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for reminiscing with me! ? Yes, music was and still is one of my biggest joys in life.
You have a great playlist there! I had Canned Wheat, my aunt had Bridge, Mariska Veres was hot!! and if nothing else, I do know the title track on In The Court….
Canned Wheat is a great album! The whole year was full of excellent music. ?
You describe the year 1970 just like I imagined it!
I know some of the songs.
PS: Steve is a fool. Good for Eric though!
Thanks, Tamara! ? I tried to capture the ambience of the era. It was a great year for Rock music. Yeah, Steve cut and run, but Eric made life fun again, for a while.
Debbie,
In June 1970, my baby sister was born and I turned 9 in December of that year. All of the music you enjoyed in your teens years I was exposed to listening to the older girls’ records played at lunch time or perhaps my younger uncles and aunt introduced some of these tunes to my ears. Those early heartbreaks are painful. We think we’ll never get over it but we did and moved on all the better for the experience. Thanks for sharing your story. I always love reading them. Have a boogietastic week, my dear!
We had some great music back then! ? Heartbreak is all part of growing up, painful as it may be. At least it was fun while it lasted. ?
I know all those songs. We’re from the same era. I dressed much the same and had the long hair. It was a good time.
Have a fabulous day and week, Debbie. ♥
Yes, we baby boomers had the BEST music and the COOLEST fashions, didn’t we? 😀 Thanks for coming by, Sandee.
A most interesting story, Debbie! Our tastes in music parallel and, like you music was my drug of choice. I didn’t get into the drug scene either, especially after seeing friends suffer from extreme anxiety. Thanks for sharing the great music.
Yup, music is the best drug there is and an excellent stress reliever! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Nice to know we have so much in common, Eugenia! ?
That’s some tale! Hmmm… 1970… Dad left for Vietnam and I was living in the ghetto in Kansas City, MO, trying not to be killed or beaten up. It was the worst year of my life but also the most illuminating. I discovered the Jackson Five in December 1969, the day Dad left, but there were multiple albums out that year from them and others. Music also helped me keep peace when I worried about other things… but I have to admit that almost all the songs you’ve shared above I never heard until I was in college 7 or 8 years later.
It sounds like you had a rough time, Mitch. I’m so glad you survived the ghetto! Yes, music is an excellent stress reliever, whatever your preferred genre. 🙂