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GenX Gon Give It To Ya is ultimately about spreading love and bridging generations. I’m broadening connections while scoopin up some old friends along the way. We’ll reminisce on tv, movies, music, entertainment and events that helped form our culture cause the bond is deep!
Come Play!
There are certain memories that just stick with you and for as long as I can remember, whenever I think of some of my favorite memories, I can't help
but think of them. In today's episode, I will share some of those moments. Some of them will
probably jog your own memory, because some of them affected many of you too.
(0:18 - 0:30)
Let's get into it. Millions of us tune into Roots, January 23rd to January 30th, 1977. Roots is a
historical drama based on the book Roots, the saga of an American family by a man named
Alex Haley.
(0:31 - 0:50)
The story traces several generations of an African-American family beginning in Africa and
continuing through slavery in the United States. The story begins in the 1700s with young
Kunta Kinte living in the village of Jufferey. Kunta played by LeVar Burton grows up learning the
traditions and culture of the Mandinka tribe.
(0:50 - 1:03)
As a teenager, he is captured by slave traders and forced onto a ship during the transatlantic
slave trade heading to America. Kunta is sold to a plantation owner in Virginia. He is given the
slave name Toby, which he rebukes.
(1:04 - 1:19)
After several escape attempts, he is brutally whipped and forced to remain on the plantation.
The adult Kunta, now played by John Amos, would meet and fall in love with Belle, played by
Mad Sinclair, a cook on the plantation. They get married and have a daughter that they name
Kizzy.
(1:19 - 1:31)
Kizzy is played by Leslie Uggams. Kizzy grows up learning her father's African history and
language. Kizzy befriends the slave owner's daughter Missy Ann, played by Sandy Duncan, who
secretly teaches her how to read and write.
(1:31 - 1:47)
Later, Kizzy falls in love with Noah, another slave on the plantation who has his heart set on
freedom. He convinces Kizzy to forge a traveling pass Kizzy had been given to by Missy Ann and
attempts to flee North. He is caught and as punishment, Kizzy and Noah are sold to an owner in
North Carolina.
(1:47 - 2:00)
She is repeatedly sexually assaulted for years by her new owner, eventually bearing a son who
she named George. Coming known for training fighting chickens, he gets the nickname Chicken
George. George is so successful as a cockfighter, he earns his freedom.
(2:01 - 2:39)
The family experienced the end of slavery during the American Civil War and the Emancipation
Proclamation. Later generations of Kunta Kinte's family continue to pass down their history and
African roots as we would see in 1979 with Roots the Next Generations. Roots would feature an
all-star cast including Louis Gossett Jr., Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Lynne Moody, Cicely Tyson,
Todd Bridges, Roxy Roker, Olivia Cole, George Stanford Brown, Ren Woods, Maya Angelou,
Scatman Crothers, Robert Reed, Lloyd Bridges, Linda Day George, George Hamilton, Carolyn
Jones, and many, many more.
(2:39 - 2:49)
Here's a few facts about Roots many people don't know. Nearly half of America watched the
final episode. When the final episode aired in 1977, about 100 million people watched it.
(2:49 - 3:03)
At the time, it became the most-watched television broadcast in U.S. history. The story was
based on real family research. Author Alex Haley spent more than 10 years researching his
family history before writing Roots the Saga of American Family.
(3:04 - 3:17)
He traced his ancestry back to Jefferey where his ancestor Kunta Kinte was said to have lived.
The series was only supposed to be a risky experiment. The network ABC was unsure audiences
would want to watch a long historical series about slavery.
(3:17 - 3:26)
So, instead of airing weekly, they showed the episodes on eight consecutive nights. It turned
out to be a huge success. It changed how American history was taught.
(3:26 - 3:48)
After Roots aired, schools and universities began putting more focus on slavery in African
history. It also sparked a major interest in genealogy with many Americans starting to research
their own family histories. Roots mattered so much to people because it wasn't just
entertainment, it helped millions of Americans understand the human reality of slavery and the
importance of family history.
(3:48 - 4:02)
My next favorite memory was May 25, 1977. That's when Star Wars was released in theaters.
Star Wars is a science fiction space saga set in a distant galaxy where the struggle between
good and evil plays out through the mystical power known as the Force.
(4:02 - 4:20)
The storyline follows the rise, fall, and redemption of the powerful Skywalker family. I'm going
to do a detailed episode specifically for Star Wars, but for now, here's a summary. The galaxy is
sometimes ruled by an evil dictatorship called the Galactic Empire led by the dark force user
Emperor Palpatine.
(4:20 - 4:36)
The heroes known as the Rebel Alliance fight to restore freedom to the galaxy. The main
characters consist of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Obi-Wan Kenobi joining
forces to defeat the powerful feared villain Darth Vader. The story would spawn three trilogies.
(4:36 - 4:53)
In the original trilogy, we follow Luke and the Rebellion. In the prequel trilogy, we see the
origins of Darth Vader and the rise of the Empire. The sequel trilogy focuses on a new
generation introducing us to Rey and a new cast of rebels including Finn, Poe, and Maz Kanata.
(4:53 - 5:11)
Our beloved droids R2-D2 and C-3PO are the only two characters to appear in all nine
installments. The impact of Star Wars on society is enormous. Since the release of Star Wars,
directed by George Lucas, it has influenced movies, technology, culture, language, and even
religion.
(5:11 - 5:26)
Some of the biggest ways it shaped society are it revolutionized the film industry. Star Wars
changed how movies are made and marketed. It introduced groundbreaking visual effects
through Industrial Light and Magic, ILM, George Lucas' special effects company.
(5:27 - 5:40)
It made blockbuster franchises the center of Hollywood strategy. It also inspired modern CGI
and effects used in films like Jurassic Park and Avatar. It created the modern movie
merchandise industry.
(5:40 - 5:52)
Before Star Wars, movie toys were limited. After the film exploded in popularity, action figures
from Kenner sold millions. Merchandise expanded to clothing, video games, books, and
collectibles.
(5:52 - 6:07)
It created a multi-billion dollar merchandise model used by franchises like Harry Potter and
Marvel Cinematic Universe. Star Wars influenced global pop culture. Darth Vader, Luke
Skywalker, Princess Leia, Yoda, and Han Solo.
(6:07 - 6:23)
These characters became universal icons that appeared everywhere, from memes and parodies
to Halloween costumes and political cartoons. Famous quotes like May the Force Be With You is
recognized worldwide. Star Wars inspired science and technology.
(6:23 - 6:43)
Scientists and engineers have said Star Wars influenced their careers, including developments
in robotics similar to R2-D2, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. Organizations like
NASA often reference the franchise in outreach programs and education. Star Wars built one of
the largest fan communities ever.
(6:44 - 7:00)
Some examples are huge conventions like Star Wars Celebration, cosplay groups like 501st
Legion, fan films, podcasts, and online communities. This helped shape how fans interact in
entertainment today. Star Wars even influenced spiritual ideas.
(7:00 - 7:11)
The philosophy of the Force blends ideas from Buddhism, Taoism, and mythology. Some fans
have listed Jedi as their religion in national sentences. Now I went to see Star Wars opening
weekend.
(7:11 - 7:19)
My mother's friend took me. I was so excited. I remember wearing my brand new red Pro-Keds
as we stood in line that curved around the corner.
(7:19 - 7:35)
As I watched Star Wars, I was introduced to a gold robot we now know as C-3PO. And another
robot we will also come to love, R2-D2. Then another entrance by Darth Vader played by the
impeccable James Earl Jones, whose voice I recognized from being a big fan of Claudine.
(7:35 - 7:45)
His character had me shook, honestly. Then we met Princess Leia, sending a secret message
through R2-D2. Then we meet Luke and old Ben Kenobi, who introduces Luke to the Force.
(7:45 - 7:52)
By the end, it solidified what my little youngster self already knew. There is something bigger
within all of us. I am magical.
(7:52 - 8:01)
We are magical. And with trust and knowing, we can all have control of our lives. It's about
tapping into our goddess and god selves.
(8:01 - 8:10)
I vowed that I would learn the ways of the Force. That I would fight the battle of good and evil,
then show people a path. Depending on where you are in life, there are different paths.
(8:10 - 8:17)
As I got older, life began lifing. And well, you know how it goes. In my heart, I was a Jedi who
had to complete my Padawan stage.
(8:18 - 8:27)
The focus and dedication came in the 90s after reading a book called The Celestine Prophecy.
My life hasn't been the same since. And we'll get into that in another episode.
(8:27 - 8:34)
You may call it something else, but the Force is real. This is the way. My next favorite memory
was the New York City Blackout.
(8:34 - 9:03)
On July 13th, 1977, the New York City Blackout of 1977 was one of the most chaotic and
infamous power outages in U.S. history. On July 13th, 1977, reporters Jim Jensen and John Tesh,
yes, that John Tesh, who would later become a very successful composer when not working on
Entertainment Tonight, would cover the chaos of the blackout that ensued in those 25 hours.
Many store owners stayed to protect their shops from being looted.
(9:03 - 9:10)
Authorities believe multiple lightning strikes hit transmission lines in Westchester County. A
power surge begins. Circuit breakers begin opening.
(9:10 - 9:28)
Equipment begins to shut down at a power plant so it is separated from the system. However,
the failure continues to spread, eventually taking out the last of the transmission lines. Adding
to the news coverage is Vic Miles as the man on the street and in the air as footage captures the
aftermath of the looting that occurred.
(9:28 - 9:39)
The following day, he would interview some of the hundreds of people seen lounging. Many he
approached stated their offices were closed due to the power loss. Thousands more went to the
beach or pools as suggested by Mayor Beam.
(9:39 - 9:58)
In the aftermath, over 1,600 stores were looted, more than 1,000 fires were reported, and
property damage was estimated at over 300 million. 3,700 people were arrested. The New York
City blackout highlighted the vulnerabilities of urban infrastructure and social tensions present
in the city at the time.
(9:58 - 10:23)
For some, the blackout is remembered as a dark chapter in New York's history, influencing
future policies on urban safety and emergency preparedness. The blackout was a very intense
moment in time because New York City was already struggling with a major financial crisis,
high unemployment, rising crime rates, with citizens already experiencing summer heatwave
conditions. The outage became a breaking point for frustration and inequality.
(10:23 - 10:41)
The blackout had unexpected long-term cultural effects and is often linked to the rise of hip
hop culture. DJs reportedly took advantage of the chaos to get equipment like turntables,
mixers, and speakers, which were expensive. This event helped accelerate the spread of early
rap music in the Bronx.
(10:41 - 11:01)
This meant dozens, probably hundreds, of new DJs appeared almost overnight. Before 1977,
hip-hop had a small circle of pioneers like DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika
Bambaataa. With more DJs and equipment on the scene, that meant more block parties, crews
formed around DJs, MCs, and dancers.
(11:01 - 11:12)
Hip-hop became a community movement. The culture grew from small gatherings to a citywide
phenomenon. But we'll get into a whole episode on its own about that because we love me
some hip-hop.
(11:12 - 11:21)
Me and my family was living on Walton Avenue in the Bronx. I was at home watching Beretta
the Night of the New York City Blackout. The show aired Wednesdays at 9 o'clock on ABC.
(11:21 - 11:31)
It was a repeat of season 3 episode 8 called Dear Tony. The episode was about halfway through
when everything went black. It was just me and my mother home at the time.
(11:31 - 11:41)
My little sister Ty was with my uncle James whom he brought home a little while later. He
carried her up five flights of stairs in complete darkness. I thought the whole situation was fun
and exciting.
(11:41 - 11:47)
I even got to sleep on the fire escape that night. And the next day I just played outside with my
friends. Good times.
(11:47 - 12:06)
Now I can't say that this is one of my favorite moments of 1977. But it wouldn't be 1977 if we
didn't talk about the son of Sam. David Berkowitz the son of Sam was active between December
1975 and August 10th 1977.
(12:07 - 12:19)
The son of Sam specifically had New York shook between the summers of 76 and 77. The serial
killer born June 1st 1953 committed random shootings targeting young people. Often couples
sitting in parked cars.
(12:19 - 12:32)
The case became famous because of his letters to the police and the press. The most famous
letter was sent to New York Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin. In it he wrote chilling lines
such as hello from the gutters of New York City.
(12:32 - 12:44)
Filled with dog manure vomit and stale wine. Or the letters also claimed he was following
orders from a demon that supposedly spoke through the neighbor's dog. Berkowitz also
described himself as a servant of darkness.
(12:44 - 12:55)
Though authorities didn't realize at the time the crimes were related. His first attack was
Christmas Eve 1975. He attacks two young female victims with a knife in Co-op City in the
Bronx.
(12:55 - 13:07)
Me and my family would move to Co-op City a few years later so reading that blew my mind. His
first shooting attack was July 29th 1976 in the Bronx. 18 year old Donna Lauria was killed and
Jody Valenti was wounded.
(13:07 - 13:15)
Over the next year he attacked several couples. He used a .44 caliber Bulldog revolver. The
newspapers nicknamed him the .44 caliber killer.
(13:15 - 13:27)
His capture was surprisingly simple. After the last shooting in July 1977 investigators found
witnesses who reported a suspicious man near the scene. A parking ticket was issued to a car in
the area.
(13:27 - 13:38)
And after the traffic cop left a young man walked past Casilia Davis. Watching her intently she
noticed that he was holding something dark in his hand. She ran home and heard gunshots
soon after.
(13:38 - 13:47)
She waited four days before telling the police. But this initiated the investigation into the traffic
ticket. The ticket led police to Berkowitz's address in Yonkers.
(13:47 - 14:03)
On August 10th 1977 police approached his car and found maps of crime scenes, a .44 revolver,
and a bag prepared for another attack. Once caught he told officers, you got me. In 1978 Vic
Berkowitz pleaded guilty to all the murders.
(14:03 - 14:12)
He received six life sentences. He would admit that the dog story was fabricated and that he did
not act alone. A satanic cult was involved in some attacks.
(14:12 - 14:41)
Investigators never confirmed evidence supporting this claim. The Son of Sam case inspired
many books, films, and TV shows including Spike Lee's Summer of Sam starring John
Leguizamo and Brody, Grisolvino, Jennifer Esposito, Patti LuPone, and John Turturro. In 2021,
Sons of Sam, Descent into Darkness, a limited documentary series on Netflix, examines
journalist Maury Terry's investigation into the David Berkowitz murders and his belief the
deranged killer didn't act alone.
(14:41 - 14:57)
Conversations with the Killer, The Son of Sam Tapes is a three-part series hosted by Joe
Berlinger. In Son of Sam, The Killer Speaks, CBS journalist Maurice Dubois visits the murderer in
jail. The TV show Seinfeld mentions the serial killer in a few episodes.
(14:57 - 15:14)
There's a really good episode of Mindhunter on Netflix that takes us inside the mind of David
Berkowitz. YouTuber Bailey Sarian also features an episode on her show called The Son of Sam,
Reign of Terror. She's always fun to watch as she deep dives into true life cases while doing her
makeup.
(15:15 - 15:28)
So if you're curious to learn about David Berkowitz, there's plenty of resources. Another
memory that stands out in my mind in 1977 is Elvis' death. On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley
dies at age 42.
(15:28 - 15:39)
Now when I was a kid, I was a big Elvis fan. I enjoyed his movies as he sang and gyrated on
screen. Elvis starred in over 30 films including Jailhouse Rock, Blue Hawaii, and Viva Las Vegas.
(15:39 - 15:53)
He has sold over 1 billion records worldwide. He's also won three Grammy Awards and
remained one of the most recognizable figures in music history. I saw on the news that Elvis
Presley was found unresponsive at his home.
(15:53 - 16:07)
He was pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital. The official cause of death is listed as
cardiac arrest, prescription drug use, heart disease, high blood pressure, and an enlarged
colon. I remember being saddened by the news.
(16:07 - 16:25)
When I got older, I learned that the king of rock and roll actually imitated musical styles and
dances from black performers such as Otis Blackwell, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Big Joe
Turner, and Sam Cooke. Go listen to Roy Hamilton and you tell me. You can also see Roy
Hamilton featured in the movie Let's Rock.
(16:26 - 16:38)
And let me just say, Elvis bit his style. Even decades after his death though, Elvis remains one of
the most recognizable figures in music history. His home, Graceland, is now one of the most
visited private homes in the United States.
(16:39 - 16:56)
I also want to note that 1977 is special to me because my grandma, Peppers, took all the
grandkids for like a month to North Carolina. So I got to spend time in the country and get to
know my cousins and that was just a really special moment for me. So that's another reason
why I love 1977.
(16:56 - 17:12)
But here's some other events that occurred in 1977 that was impactful to some of us. January
14th, Fantasy Island starring Ricardo Montalban premieres. January 20th, George H.W. Bush
ends his term as the 11th Director of the CIA.
(17:13 - 17:37)
January 21st, U.S. President Jimmy Carter pardons almost all Vietnam War draft evaders.
February 5th, Future Five Division World Boxing Champion Sugar Ray Leonard makes his
professional debut with a six-round unanimous decision over Louis Vaga at the Baltimore Civic
Center. February 8th, Hustler publisher Larry Flint is sentenced to obscenity charges.
(17:37 - 17:52)
Basically, he was passing porn on to minors. March 2nd, Bette Davis is the first woman to
receive the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. Also on March 2nd, Future
The Tonight Show host Jay Leno debuts with Johnny Carson.
(17:52 - 18:04)
March 15th, 8 is Enough premieres on ABC. It stars Dick Van Patten, Betty Buckley, and Willie
Ames. Also on March 15th, Three's Company starring John Ritter, Suzanne Somers, and Joyce
DeWitt premieres on ABC.
(18:05 - 18:21)
March 18th, The Class releases their first single, White Riot. And after I added this, I was like,
what? March 24th, Lily Tomlin is the first woman to appear solo in a Broadway show called
Appearing Nightly. March 26th, Elvis Costello releases his first single, Less Than Zero.
(18:21 - 18:34)
March 28th, Rocky would win for Best Picture. April 20th, Al Pacino wins a Tony Award for Best
Actor in a Play for The Basic Training of Pavio Hummel. April 26th, Studio 54 opens.
(18:34 - 18:49)
May 17th, the first Chuck E. Cheese opens. May 19th, Smokey and the Bandits starring Burt
Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jackie Gleason hits theaters. May 21st, Stevie Wonder's single Sir Duke
hits number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and US Hot R&B charts.
(18:49 - 19:05)
It is a tribute to Duke Ellington and other musical influences. June 11th, I'm Yo Boogie Man by
KC and the Sunshine Band hits number one. June 24th, Crystal Gale releases We Must Believe in
Magic, the first platinum album by a female country music artist.
(19:05 - 19:24)
June 30th, Marvel Comics publishes a comic book dedicated to the rock group KISS. July 11th,
Martin Luther King Jr. is awarded the US Medal of Freedom Award. July 14th, James Earl Ray, Dr.
King's assassin, intends to plead innocent to escaping from Brush Mountain State Penitentiary.
(19:25 - 19:44)
The court adds another year to his 99-year sentence. July 30th, Andy Gibbs' I Just Wanna Be
Your Everything reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100. August 15th, a possible alien
radio signal from deep space, later dubbed the WOW signal, is received at Big Bear, Ohio
State's radio telescope in Delaware.
(19:45 - 19:56)
August 20th, NASA launches Voyager 2 towards Jupiter and Saturn. It would later reach Uranus
and Neptune. September 11th, the Atari 2600 is released in North America.
(19:56 - 20:11)
September 24th, the first episode of The Love Boat airs. September 29th, Muhammad Ali beats
Ernie Shavers after 15 rounds. October 1st, Elton John is honored by Madison Square Garden's
Hall of Fame.
(20:11 - 20:23)
November 8th, Ed Koch is elected New York City Mayor. December 12th, Saturday Night Fever
starring John Travolta opens in theaters. And on December 31st, serial killer Ted Bundy ended
the year by escaping from jail.
(20:23 - 20:54)
His escape is considered one of the boldest jailbreaks in US history and it directly led to his final
killing spree. Bundy was being held at Garfield County Jail awaiting trial after already escaping
once earlier that year. He planned his escape for weeks.
He lost weight intentionally to fit through a small opening. He used a hacksaw blade that was
smuggled in to cut a hole in the ceiling of his cell. Then crawled into the crawlspace above, then
dropped down into the jailer's apartment, which happened to be empty that night, and walked
out the front door.
(20:54 - 21:02)
That's crazy. Bundy would be eventually convicted and sentenced to death in Florida. He was
executed in the electric chair in 1989.
(21:03 - 21:24)
His case drew massive media coverage and public fascination. Bundy's crimes change how law
enforcement tracks serial offenders across state lines, profile criminals psychologically, use
media to alert the public. His story is still widely discussed in true crime, psychology, and
criminal justice studies because it shows how dangerous manipulation and deception can be.
(21:24 - 21:36)
I don't want to leave the episode on a dark note. So I took a deeper dive to find more cool
moments I may have missed. In 1977, some of the biggest television shows were Laverne &
Shirley, which was on ABC.
(21:36 - 21:43)
Happy Days, on ABC. Three's Company, which premiered in 77, also on ABC. 60 Minutes, CBS.
(21:44 - 21:48)
Charlie's Angels, ABC. Fall in the Family. Little House on the Prairie, NBC.
(21:48 - 21:54)
CBS. And One Day at a Time, also on CBS. Some of the number one hits in 1977.
(21:54 - 22:03)
Rod Stewart, Tonight's the Night. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., You Don't Have to Be a Star
to Be in My Show. Leo Sayre, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.
(22:04 - 22:09)
Stevie Wonder, I Wish. Rose Royce, Car Wash. Mary McGregor, Torn Between Two Lovers.
(22:10 - 22:17)
Barbra Streisand, Love Theme from A Star is Born. Daryl Hall and John Oakes, Rich Girl. ABBA,
Dancing Queen.
(22:17 - 22:23)
David Soul, Don't Give Up on Us. Thelma Houston, Don't Leave Me This Way. Glen Campbell,
Southern Nights.
(22:24 - 22:29)
Eagles, Hotel California. Fleetwood Mac, Dreams. Marvin Gaye, Got to Give It Up.
(22:29 - 22:34)
Bill Conti, Gonna Fly Now. That's the theme from Rocky. Barry Manilow, Looks Like We Made It.
(22:35 - 22:40)
The Emotions, Best of My Love. That's my jam. You got the best of my love.
(22:41 - 22:45)
And Debbie Boone, You Light Up My Life. That was a hit, y'all. That was a banger right there.
(22:45 - 22:53)
Some of the popular movies in 1977. Nihal, Closed Encounters of the Third Kind. Demon Seed,
Racerhead, The Goodbye Girl.
(22:53 - 22:57)
Kirby Goes to Monte Carlo. The Hills Have Eyes. Julia Beats Dragon.
(22:58 - 23:02)
The Spy Who Loved Me. So there you have it, y'all. 1977 wrapped up in a little bow.
(23:02 - 23:08)
And coming up on the next episode of Gen X, gonna give it to ya. Come on. Take a guess.
(23:08 - 23:10)
Come on. Oh, right. You're not gonna guess.
(23:10 - 23:22)
E. Donna Summer is gonna be my next episode. And we all know we got mad love for Donna
Summer, so I will see you in two weeks and we will get this poppin'. Cause this Gen X gonna
give it to ya.
(23:22 - 23:28)
And don't forget to like and subscribe. Don't forget to tell all your friends. And thanks for tuning
in.
(23:28 - 23:28)
Peace.