Behind the Music

Episode 142: 1975

May 6, 2001 • 60 min

1975 was the year that America seemed on the verge of collapse as the Vietnam War finally ended. A year in which soft pop dominated the top 40 and some of the legendary bands of rock seem to lose their way. It was a year in which a grungy New York club became the site of a musical revolt called punk. But most importantly, it was a year in which Bob Dylan put out some of the best work of his career. It was a time of exhaustion and revolt; a re-assertion of greatness and the emergence of genius. 1975 was a pivotal year in Rock 'n' Roll. America - and the music that echoed, reflected and chronicled it - seemed to lose its way. But from that sense of exhaustion arose remarkable music that would remind people of the greatness of its past and lay the groundwork for the next quarter century. Features interviews with Alice Cooper, Gene Simmons, Bruce Springsteen, and more.