Glory days
from gumboots to platforms
de Ian Chapman
The 1970s - when we listened to glam rock, disco and punk, wearing spandex, platform soles, aviator glasses, wide ties, maxis, midis and minis, when going out on the town meant glitter-balls, Max Factor and Helena Rubenstein, sequins and safety-pins. Kiwis took to the streets against French nuclear tests and US warship visits, and - depending on your politics - Norman Kirk, Rob Muldoon, Marilyn Waring and John Minto were angels or demons. We rode Raleigh Choppers and Healing Dragsters; and drove Ford Capris, Cortinas and Escorts, Holden Kingswoods and Belmonts, Triumph Spitfires and Stags. We watched The Wacky Races, Dr Who, Lost in Space and The Professionals. We loved the 1974 Commonwealth Games, and Starsky & Hutch and Charlie's Angels. The 1970s were a cabaret of influences - a fragmented, eclectic decade of disparity. And just like a cabaret, the audience could boo, cheer or laugh in disbelief. Except, of course, we weren't in the audience, we were part of the cast, and we were having fun. Full of brightly coloured memories and glittering things, with contributions from those who were there, let Dr Glam be your guide through the glorious decade when orange and brown vinyl reigned supreme and too much was never enough.
