{"id":1610,"date":"2024-06-12T18:58:52","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T18:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/musiclegacy\/?page_id=1610"},"modified":"2024-06-12T19:00:58","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T19:00:58","slug":"graduating-class-of-1974","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/musiclegacy\/graduating-class-of-1974\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduating Class of 1974"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Times<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior class of 1974 moved back to campus with the Vietnam War winding down and the end of the military draft.  However, we had a national scandal brewing: The Watergate hearings.  The entire nation was captivated during the summer of 1973 to the nationally televised Senate Watergate Committee hearings. Not only did Nixon refuse to hand over the White House tapes but White House counsel John Dean testified that he had discussed the Watergate coverup with Nixon more than 35 times.  It was also the first time the nation heard the words \u201cexecutive privilege.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On October 20th<\/sup>, the class discussion for Cortland history majors was surely \u201cThe Saturday Night Massacre\u201d in which Nixon upended the Justice Department, having let go of his attorney general, deputy attorney general and the special counsel who were all investigating the Watergate scandal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Red Dragon athletics department was all abuzz on September 20th<\/sup> watching \u201cThe Battle of the Sexes.\u201d In a show of force for women\u2019s liberation, the internationally televised tennis match between 55-year-old Bobby Riggs and 29-year-old Billie Jean King drew 50 million viewers. Billie Jean King won handily in 3 sets, which eventually ignited a boom in women\u2019s sports and empowering women to advocate for equal pay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As 1974 seniors settled in for their last semester, a new homegrown terrorist group called the Symbionese Liberation Army or the SLA emerged.  Thought to be the first American terrorist group to rise from the far-left, their beliefs encompassed the unity of all left-wing struggles: feminism, anti-racism and anti-capitalism. On February 4th<\/sup>, the SLA kidnapped and indoctrinated heiress Patty Hearst, to gain maximum press coverage.  1974 graduates will remember the haunting image of Patty Hearst holding a rifle inside the Hibernia Bank in San Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By graduation time, the House Judiciary Committee began formal hearings to impeach Richard Nixon for his role in Watergate. After a series of subpoenas that Nixon refused to comply with and a great number of judicial activities including a Supreme Court ruling that forced his hand, Nixon had no choice but to resign on August 8th<\/sup>, 1974.  The music of 1973\/1974 created an important musical bridge for new and wildly different categories of music.  Late 60\u2019s British bands like Pink Floyd, Genesis, King Crimson and Yes pushed the limits of their layered sounds into a genre-fluid progressive rock format. While California country-rock based singer\/songwriters like the Eagles, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell were successful hitmakers and touring musicians. As the Baby Boomer generation was coming out of their teenage years, Radio stations split into two distinct camps: The tried-and-true AM Radio, with screaming DJs spinning Top 40 pop hits and progressive FM Radio where DJ\u2019s were our \u201cfriends\u201d playing stylized thematic music segments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notable Events<\/u><\/strong> (right click the links below to access video)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Dean testifying before Senate Watergate Committee<\/strong> \u2013 June 25th<\/sup>, 1973, Washington, DC<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battle of the Sexes – Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs<\/strong>\u2013 September 20th<\/sup> 1973, Houston Astrodome<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hank Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth\u2019s Home Run Record to hit #715<\/strong> – April 8, 1974, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patty Hearst – SLA Bank Robbery <\/strong>– February 4th<\/sup>, 1974, Hibernia Bank, San Francisco<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCERTS THAT CAME TO CORTLAND 1973\/1974<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NRBQ<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letters of this band\u2019s name stands for New Rhythm and Blues Quartet and was started in 1965.  Known for their music genre mash-up of rock, blues, jazz, pop and tin pan alley as well as their high degree of spontaneity, NRBQ became a touring staple on college campuses.  Although they have gone through many band members throughout the years, the band has been known to play shows without a set list.  Among their fans are Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Keith Richards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Songs played in concert in 1973<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cC\u2019mon If You\u2019re Comin\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRC Cola and A Moon Pie\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGet That Gasoline Blues\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE NEW YORK CHAMBER SOLOISTS – LYCEUM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ensemble of virtuosi perform a diverse repertoire with strings, winds and keyboard and have maintained a unique niche in the chamber music world for over five decades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HARRY CHAPIN (TOM AND STEVE CHAPIN OPENERS)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singer, songwriter, philanthropist and hunger activist, Harry Chapin was taken away too soon.  Before his untimely death in 1981, Harry recorded 11 albums beginning in 1972 and all 14 singles that he released became hits on the charts.  Songs from his 1973 album \u201cShort Stories\u201d were likely previewed at his show in the Corey Union Function Room, featuring \u201cW.O.L.D.\u201d a song about an aging disc jockey. When performing the song live, he used to switch the last verse with the call letters of the local station\u2026and at the Cortland show, that would be W-C-S-U!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening for Harry Chapin was Mt. Airy, a band featuring Harry\u2019s younger brothers Tom and Steve Chapin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1985, Harry Chapin was posthumously given the Congressional Medal of Honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Songs played in concert in 1973<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTaxi\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cW.O.L.D\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GODSPELL NATIONAL TOUR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Godspell was written by college students at Carnegie Melon during the late 1960\u2019s while the Vietnam War was in full swing.  It\u2019s the retelling of the Gospel According to St. Mathew, set-in modern-day NYC. At the time, there was a yearning for peace and love. Playing Off-Broadway and touring nationally at the same time, the show didn\u2019t open on Broadway until 1976. A few months before the show came to Cortland in 1973, a film version of Godspell was released, so the show and the Steven Schwartz composed music were well known by students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Songs 1973<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPrepare Ye The Way Of the Lord\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDay By Day\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSave The People\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LINDA RONSTADT AND JACKSON BROWNE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moffett Gym (or HPER as it was known then) was buzzing in February of 1974 as it seemed like every student and every townie bought a ticket to the show which was priced at $2.50!  Based on the flyer, it appeared that Linda Ronstadt was opening for Jackson Browne. But in reality, they were a true double bill.  The two Southern California Country Rock musicians were also long-time friends. Jackson Browne, the quintessential singer\/songwriter was and still is a voice for a generation who cares about social, political and environmental issues.  Linda Ronstadt was that one-of-a-kind voice that you never forget paving the way for other female artists like Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow.  Driven by similar musical tastes, their unique sound was a blending of Bob Dylan, country music, The Byrds, and the Buffalo Springfield. At the time of the show, Jackson was promoting his 1973 album \u201cFor Everyman\u201d and Linda was promoting \u201cDon\u2019t Cry Now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackson Browne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 by Bruce Springsteen.  Linda Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and roll Hall of Fame in 2014 by Glenn Frey of the Eagles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Linda Ronstadt Songs played in concert in 1974                               <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLove Has No Pride\u201d                                                  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDesperado\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re No Good\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSilver Threads and Golden Needles\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWillin\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackson Browne songs played in concert in 1974<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTake It Easy\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRock Me On The Water\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoctor My Eyes\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor Everyman\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRedneck Friend\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EAGLES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a few months after Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne put on a stellar concert at Moffett Gym, their literal Southern California neighbors and music pals, the Eagles, brought their \u201cOn The Border\u201d tour to the PER Ice Arena in early May of 1974.  Armed with a harder rock edge while still keeping their signature melodic harmonies, the Eagles had already changed producers and added a fifth member, rock guitarist Don Felder or \u201cFingers Felder\u201d as he was known.  What set the Eagles apart from most bands at the time, was that every member could write and sing.  On May 2nd<\/sup>, the Eagles came to rock and Cortland students rocked right along with them!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eagles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 by Jimmy Buffett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Songs played in concert in 1974<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTake It Easy\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDesperado\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlready Gone\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJames Dean\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBest Of My Love\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMidnight Flyer\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTequila Sunrise\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeaceful Easy Feeling\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWitchy Woman\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BILLY JOEL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spring semester of 1974 at Cortland was a banner year for big name performers.  It featured the second appearance by Billy Joel as he had played in the Corey Union Function Room in 1972, but this time he headlined a show in HPER.  For both shows, he played the Steinway grand piano that was dedicated to Billy 50 years after his first performance and is currently housed in the Corey Union on the stage of the Function Room and used by students in the performing arts department! Billy\u2019s 1974 performance was supporting his 2nd<\/sup> studio album \u201cPiano Man\u201d that garnered a top 25 hit with the title song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 by his idol Ray Charles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Songs played in concert in 1974<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTraveling Prayer\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStop In Nevada\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPiano Man\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re My Home\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Ballad Of Billy The Kid\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Entertainer\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCaptain Jack\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverybody Loves You Now\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAin\u2019t No Crime\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Times The senior class of 1974 moved back to campus with the Vietnam War winding down and the end of the military draft.  However, we had a national scandal brewing: The Watergate hearings.  The entire nation was captivated during the summer of 1973 to the nationally televised Senate Watergate Committee hearings. Not only did […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":381,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-1610","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"entry"},"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/musiclegacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/musiclegacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/musiclegacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/musiclegacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/381"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/musiclegacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1610"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/musiclegacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1610\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/musiclegacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}