I always saw the '50s and '60s as being the "original" controversial period. Many parents and conservative people were against Elvis, The Beatles/Rolling Stones, drugs and partying, etc. And the '80s sorta was the next period at least in pockets, with things like video games, heavy metal, malls, technology and the like being whipping boys from some adults in terms of what was wrong with the youth of the time.

However, I thought about it a little, and I don't remember hearing about this being quite as pervasive during the 1970s. I'm sure the dislike of modern things existed (although rock was pretty established and not exactly new, it was still the "rebellious" music - especially bands like KISS). However, since the initial shock value had dimmed a bit, the critics probably viewed it more as an annoyance as opposed to being end of the world-esque.

This is kinda surprising to me, since the decade was actually quite gritty and violent if you think about it (i.e. blood and guts, gratuitous sex and horror movies were HUGE then, and the late '60s casual use of marijuana and other harder drugs still kinda pervaded). They actually seem alot less innocent than the '80s do.

Well I think the punk culture was pretty controversial.

I expect the Glam Rock scene and all the gender confusion that went with it was pretty shocking to some people

True, I forgot about punk (although not mainstream, it had a huge impact on culture, and tended to be hardcore and anti-establishment). If you think about it, that and Disco were the last truly "new" new forms of music to come out. Even rap in a very primitive form existed in the late '70s.

I think yes, like All in the Family. The 70s were like the 90s in their obsession with blood and guts. The 80s were controversial in the way kids acted but the media was more regulated than it was after 1992.

Dunno, depends on how you think about it.

After the music, drugs, political upheaval and war and assassinations of the '60's, by the 70's the general public was pretty jaded to any one "controversial" thing.

Just what happened (other than Watergate) in the '70's that we didn't already experience or see in the 60's?  ???

If you want a 70's controversy on pop culture look no further than Studio 54. The ten years the night
club was open is was shrouded in controversy; from the sexual encounters to drug use, Studio 54 had
it all.

Sure there was controversy.  I agree with some of the other posters that the 60's were more controversy-ridden than the 70's.  Despite that, here are a few controversial areas:

- Women's rights progressed like gangbusters in the 70's, was in many ways controversial

- Still plenty work to do in race relations overall; plus, mixed race M/F relationships were less common, thus controversial

- Anything having to do with homosexuality

- The "legalize marijuana" debate was controversial

Add to that, the so called "Sexual Revolution" reached its peak in the 70's due to a few specific factors from that time - it by its very nature was controversial

True, I forgot about punk (although not mainstream, it had a huge impact on culture, and tended to be hardcore and anti-establishment).

How do you define mainstream?  In the UK at least punk music and punks themselves were everywhere.

How do you define mainstream?  In the UK at least punk music and punks themselves were everywhere.
It was nowhere near as big in America, neither was Glam Rock. These were both huge and controversial in the U.K so you and I would think straight away of them in context with the question.

It was nowhere near as big in America, neither was Glam Rock. These were both huge and controversial in the U.K so you and I would think straight away of them in context with the question.


Exactly.  So people that complain about posts in other threads being "exclusive" should either specify they meant in the US or except that the members here are not only US based

Exactly.  So people that complain about posts in other threads being "exclusive" should either specify they meant in the US or except that the members here are not only US based


Hear hear !

Back on the question, I remember my mother saying that David Bowie was "pure evil"  :P  Good grief  ;D

"Happy Birthday Punk: the British Library celebrates 40 years of anarchy and innovation"

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/mar/13/punk-1976-1978-british-library-40th-anniversary-sex-pistols-buzzcocks