Observations — 1974, Ted Bundy, Thomas Pynchon & David Cassidy

India became the world’s sixth nuclear power.  Richard M. Nixon resigned the presidency. Gerald Ford assumed the position and pardoned Nixon.  A fire in Argentina destroyed 1.2 million acres.  5,000 died from Honduras hurricane “Fifi.” Ayatollah Khomeini called for an Islamic Republic in Iran. Genetic engineering was banned.  Patricia Hearst was kidnapped. People Magazine debuted. Barbara Walters was picked to co-anchor “The Today Show.” Mikhail Baryshnikov defected from Russia.  Ted Bundy was captured after committing at least 30 homicides.  “Love, American Style” went off the air. 55 m.p.h. speed limit was imposed nationally. Nolan Ryan threw a fastball at 100 m.p.h., didn’t get a ticket. Oscar Robertson retired. Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s homerun record. George Foreman knocked out Ken Norton. David Cassidy was trampled at a concert. Paul McCartney formed Wings, released “Band on the Run.”  Patti Smith released “Hey Joe,” credited with being the first punk rock record. Joan Jett formed The Runaways, Top Billboard Hits were:” The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand, “Seasons In The Sun” by Terry Jacks, “Love’s Theme” by The Love Unlimited Orchestra, “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone, “Dancing Machine” by the Jackson 5, “The Locomotion” by Grand Funk Railroad, “MFSB” by TSOP (you’ll know it when you hear it), “The Streak” by Ray Stevens, “Bennie and The Jets” by Elton John, and “One Hell Of A Woman” by Mac Davis.  Though Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon was all the rage, picking up all sorts of book awards, some members of the Pulitzer Prize Committee were offended by a passage on necrophilia.  No Pulitzer Prize for Literature was awarded in 1974. The Mystery Writers of America awarded The Edgar, their top prize, Tony Hillerman for Dance Hall of the Dead. Those on the Bestseller List included: Centennial by James A. Michener, Watership Down by Richard Adams, Jaws by Peter Benchley, Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy by John LeCarré, Something Happened by Joseph Heller, and The Dogs of War by Frederick Forsyth. We watched Chinatown, The Godfather 2, Day for Night, Blazing Saddles, Towering Inferno, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Death Wish, Man With The Golden Gun and Murder On The Orient Express. Among those born to become notable this year were: Michael Shannon, Amy Adams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Penelope Cruz, Joaquin Phoenix, and Hillary Swank. Those who left us included Bud Abbott, Dizzy Dean, Charles Lindbergh, Ed Sullivan, Agnes Moorehead, Walter Brennan, Richard Long, Jack Benny, Tex Ritter and Cass Elliot. If you were around, what were you doing during this year of the wood tiger?