Test Your Memory Of 1977 With This Quiz
The 1970s was a decade of social, cultural, and political changes that led to some major innovations and trends in the entertainment world. Let’s take a deep dive into ’70s history with a fond look back at one significant year: 1977. Do you recognize the songs, TV shows, and movies that continue to influence entertainment today? Try this quiz and find out.
Which show is this?
A. M*A*S*H
B. Hogan’s Heroes
C. Band of Brothers
D. How the West Was Won
Answer: M*A*S*H
Airing on CBS from 1972 to 1983, M*A*S*H was a pop culture phenomenon. One of the highest-rated series in television history, M*A*S*H is set during the Korean War and follows the medical staff stationed at the “4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.” The show received 14 Emmy Awards during its original run, including two in 1977.
Which of these songs was a Billboard Year-End Hot 100 single for the Eagles in 1977?
A. Hotel California
B. Hotel Morrison
C. Chelsea Hotel #2
D. Heartbreak Hotel
Answer: Hotel California
Released as a single in February 1977, “Hotel California” is one of the most recognizable songs worldwide today. The writing credits are shared three-ways between band members Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Don Felder.
This film helped define pop culture in the latter part of the decade
A. Saturday Night Fever
B. Welcome Back, Kotter
C. Saturday Night Live
D. The Sound of Music
Answer: Saturday Night Fever
Saturday Night Fever was hailed (and reviled by some) for popularizing disco music worldwide. The film, which shot John Travolta into super-stardom, was released on December 14, 1977. It pulled in $3,878,099 at the box office, not too shabby at all.
Name the show they’re from
A. Charlie’s Angels
B. Three’s Company
C. Laverne & Shirley
D. Rhoda
Answer: Charlie’s Angels
Charlie’s Angels saw immediate success upon its debut on ABC in 1976, and it later spawned a media franchise. The original series starred the unforgettable Farah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith, and Kate Jackson as a trio of crime-fighting women.
“Got to Give It Up” is by the artist pictured here
A. Marvin Gaye
B. Stevie Wonder
C. Sly and the Family Stone
D. Earth, Wind & Fire
Answer: Marvin Gaye
“Got to Give It Up” topped three different Billboard charts after its release in 1977. Marvin Gaye, who had other hits such as “What’s Going On,” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” was one of the most influential musicians of his generation. Gaye was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.
This was a spin-off of Happy Days. Do you recognize the show?
A. Laverne & Shirley
B. Joanie Loves Chachi
C. The Facts of Life
D. Alice
Answer: Laverne & Shirley
In January of 1976, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams first appeared on television screens as best friends Laverne and Shirley. The show ranked 1st among TV programs for its third season in 1976 and 1977.
Which of these is a Rolling Stones album released in 1977?
A. Love You Live
B. Heroes
C. Revolver
D. My Generation
Answer: Love You Live
Love You Live, a double album of live recordings, made it to #5 on the U.S. Billboard charts. It also marked the last time that Keith Richards would be credited as “Keith Richard” (no “s”) in an album’s liner notes.
Name the ’70s television show this character appeared on!
A. All in the Family
B. Eight is Enough
C. The Waltons
D. Barnaby Jones
Answer: All in the Family
Airing on CBS from January 12, 1971, to April 8, 1979, All in the Family was one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1970s. The story of a working-class family with a crude father broke many barriers and covered topics considered too taboo for television at the time.
In the classic 1977 film seen here, the main character is chased down by the local sheriff
A. Smokey and the Bandit
B. Steel Magnolias
C. Deliverance
D. The Dukes of Hazzard
Answer: Smokey and the Bandit
This action comedy film starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Paul Williams, Mike Henry, and Jerry Reed, was the second-highest-grossing domestic film of 1977. Those sparks between Reynolds and Field’s characters weren’t faked — the two started a relationship during filming.
This family appeared on
A. Little House on the Prairie
B. Eight is Enough
C. Swiss Family Robinson
D. One Day at a Time
Answer: Little House on the Prairie
Landing at # 7 on the Nielsen list for 1977, Little House on the Prairie is a beloved historical drama television series. The show was based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s popular series of books and starred Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, Melissa Sue Anderson, and Karen Grassle.
They had three Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles in 1977
A. Fleetwood Mac
B. The Eagles
C. Hall & Oates
D. Santana
Answer: Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac’s eleventh studio album, Rumours, was released on February 4, 1977. The album was an instant commercial success and is cemented into rock and roll history, considered by many to be the group’s finest. It sold 40 million copies worldwide and earned a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Do you recognize this trio that debuted on the small screen together in ’77?
A. Three’s Company
B. Charlie’s Angels
C. Step by Step
D. Fantasy Island
Answer: Three’s Company
This sitcom based on a British show first aired on March 15, 1977. It follows three single roommates, played by John Ritter, Suzanne Somers, and Joyce Dewitt, on their madcap adventures. Three’s Company was a surprise hit and quickly became the highest-rated midseason show ever broadcast on network television.
The original Star Wars film released in 1977 is known as what?
A. Episode IV: A New Hope
B. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
C. Return of the Jedi
D. The Phantom Menace
Answer: Episode IV: A New Hope
Known by casual audiences as Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope premiered on May 25, 1977, and was one of the biggest pop culture phenomena to hit the world.
This series first set sail in 1977
A. The Love Boat
B. Gilligan’s Island
C. McHale’s Navy
D. The Blue Lagoon
Answer: The Love Boat
Aboard a cruise ship called Pacific Princess, the characters of The Love Boat engaged in silly and romantic situations. The show debuted on September 24, 1977, and ran through 1986.
1977 saw this pop group release an album of music and a drama-documentary about themselves
A. ABBA
B. The Carpenters
C. Grand Funk Railroad
D. The Glitter Band
Answer: ABBA
In 1977, the Swedish pop group released ABBA: The Movie and ABBA: The Album. The music album had such hits as “Take a Chance on Me” and “The Name of the Game,” among others.
Do you remember the name of this television family?
A. The Coneheads
B. The Orkans
C. The Tanners
D. The Solomons
Answer: The Coneheads
The Coneheads made their debut appearance on Saturday Night Live during the show’s second season, in January of 1977. They were played by Dan Aykroyd as father Beldar, Jane Curtin as mother Prymaat, and Laraine Newman as their daughter.
He released an album called The Stranger in 1977
A. Billy Joel
B. Barry Manilow
C. Elton John
D. Harry Connick Jr.
Answer: Billy Joel
With four Top-25 hits on the Billboard charts, 1977’s The Stranger is considered by many to be Billy Joel’s breakthrough album. Today, the musician known as “the Piano Man” is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
This show was a spinoff of Maude
A. Good Times
B. The Jeffersons
C. Archie Bunker’s Place
D. Diff’rent Strokes
Answer: Good Times
Esther Rolle played Florida Evans, the housekeeper at Maude Findlay’s house, for two years before starring as the same character on Good Times. Maude, in turn, was originally a spinoff of All in the Family, making Good Times a double spinoff.
This 1977 Steven Spielberg film is about an encounter with an unidentified flying object
A. Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
B. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
C. Empire of the Sun
D. Third Rock from the Sun
Answer: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
Released in November of 1977, Close Encounters grossed over $300 million worldwide. John Williams, the composer who created the iconic five-tone motif used to communicate with the alien spacecraft in the movie, has created the music for many films. From Jaws to Harry Potter, he’s been working for nearly seven decades, helping audiences to feel the emotional journey of their favorite characters.
This group was responsible for the second best-selling soundtrack album of all time, released in 1977
A. The Bee Gees
B. The Beatles
C. KC and the Sunshine Band
D. Chic
Answer: The Bee Gees
1977 was a huge year for the Gibb family. Not only did the Bee Gees (Barry, Robin, and Maurice) release the soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever, but their younger brother Andy Gibb had a #2 Billboard single with “I Just Want to Be Your Everything.”
The male in this photo had what nickname on the show Laverne & Shirley?
A. The Big Ragoo
B. Squiggy
C. Oopsi Daisy
D. Curly Q
Answer: The Big Ragoo
Actor Eddie Mekka played the character of Carmine Ragusa (aka The Big Ragoo) on the hit show, Laverne & Shirley. He appeared in 150 episodes over the show’s 8 seasons.
This rocker sang “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)”
A. Rod Stewart
B. Elvis Presley
C. Mick Jagger
D. Robert Plant
Answer: Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart’s hit “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) was part of his 1976 album A Night on the Town. The song stayed at number one for eight consecutive weeks until early January 1977.
These characters are from the show
A. Happy Days
B. Family Ties
C. Family Matters
D. Different Strokes
Answer: Happy Days
Happy Days was a sitcom that ran for a decade from 1974 to 1984. Some of the stars included Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Scott Baio, Anson Williams, and Don Most.
Which member founded the band Earth, Wind & Fire?
A. Maurice White
B. Philip Bailey
C. Johnny Graham
D. Wade Flemons
Answer: Maurice White
Maurice White founded Earth, Wind & Fire in 1970 in Chicago. Their incorporation of multiple genres made the band hugely famous throughout the ’70s and garnered them 6 Grammy wins!
This movie won “Best Original Song” at the 1977 Oscars
A. A Star Is Born
B. Wanda
C. Love Story
D. Pretty Baby
Answer: A Star Is Born
A Star Is Born was the second highest-grossing film of 1976 and starred Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. Its theme “Evergreen” won the Oscar for “Best Original Song” the following year.
