1970s
1979
Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” the first commercially popular rap single, released.
1979
“Disco Demolition Night” in Chicago.
1979
Sony Walkman introduced.
1979
NARM introduces its Merchandiser of the Year Awards.
1978
Newbury Comics founded.
1978
1976 Copyright Act goes into effect; first revision since 1909.
1977
NARM creates Executive Vice President post, Joseph Cohen of ABC becomes first person to fill it.
1977
“Saturday Night Fever” released.
1977
Elvis Presley dies.
1977
Commodore PET, first mass-market personal computer, sold.
1976
Democratic Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter speaks at NARM Convention Scholarship Foundation Dinner.
View Image1976
Copyright Act of 1976.
1976
TicketMaster founded.
1976
RIAA introduces platinum certification (1 million sales), first awarded to Johnnie Taylor’s single, “Disco Lady”, and to the Eagles album, Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975).
1973
Liza Minnelli performs at NARM Convention Awards Banquet, accepts posthumous Presidential Award for mother Judy Garland.
View Image1973
NARM joins with RIAA and CMA to pass anti-piracy bills in 34 states that had not yet adopted them.
1973
National Association of Record Merchandisers changed to National Association of Recording Merchandisers.
1973
First year RIAA releases shipment numbers: 15 million cassettes, 280 million LP/EPs, 228 million vinyl singles, 91 million 8-tracks (units).
1972
Sound Recording Amendment of 1971 passed, bringing sound recordings made after February 15, 1972, under federal copyright law. Pre-1972 recordings remained governed by state laws.
1972
Bruce Springsteen’s debut album “Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ” released.
1972
Trans World Entertainment founded.
1972
Sound recordings given federal copyright protection.
1971
Clive Davis becomes first NARM keynoter to make a return appearance.
1971
“Soul Train” debuts.
1971
First GRAMMY Awards telecast.
1971
First Virgin Megastore opens.
1971
First Borders opens.
1970
Dr. Laurence Peter, author of “The Peter Principle,” becomes 1st best-selling author to address NARM Convention.
View Image1970
First Tape Packaging Seminar held at NARM Convention.
1970
The Beatles break up.
1970
Radio program “American Top 40” with Casey Kasem debuts.
