Lynda Carter’s rock and roll fantasy from her 1980 TV special Encore.

I find this an almost perfect collision of pop culture iconography that could have only existed in the era of spandex, platform shoes, disco balls and hairspray - twixt the end of the punkish 70s and the dawning of the gloriously absurd 80s.
 

“Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate”, or “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here”

One of the few times a Marvel and D.C. comic shares the stage I guess…I really hope Gene Simmons isn’t considering “Book of K.I.S.S.” for Broadway any time soon.

From the People magazine archive 9/15/80 Picks and Pans: In her second network special, Wonder Woman does a sorry imitation of Tina Turner and an embarrassingly klutzy spoof of Bette Midler. She’s better duetting with guests Tom Jones, Merle Haggard and jazz virtuoso John Phillips, but the real star is Bob Mackie, whose costumes reveal enough of Carter to fill an hour nicely.

Is that really kiss?  Or drag queens posing as kiss?
Not much difference I guess.  I loved kiss as a 12 year old in ‘77.  Too bad Gene Simmons turned out to be such a humongous douchebag.

I was 17 in 77 and hated KISS - I still thought rock and roll was real.  “You guys in <insert your city> really ROCK!”  Naive boy.

But i have to agree with “reveal enough of Carter to fill an hour nicely”. 

Choreography by Juul Haalmeyer?

Marc, WTF are you talking about??? Sounds like you are lumping “spandex, platform shoes, disco balls and hairspray” as part of the ” - twixt the end of the punkish 70s…”

PUNKISH??? Hey, punk was at its best in the mid to late 70s, no ‘ish’ about it. You have some ‘xplainin’ to do, my friend.

i am twelve and what is this?

Jenny,

when are going to let me feature some of your photos on Dangerous Minds?

Marc, you sweetheart ... I’ll email you privately via FB. I didn’t wanna say: anyone who wants to talk punk 1976-80, talk to me or better yet, look at my pix ... only spandex and platforms were on the Runaways! But I didn’t wanna come across as the smart ass aka fast talking dame I am!!! LOL! Thanks, and as Cole Porter said, “let’s do it!”

“only spandex and platforms were on the Runaways!”

Let’s not forget Handsome Dick Manitoba’s spandex wrestling tights and The Tubes.

The Tubes aren’t punk ... They are carefully choreographed rock theater designed to shock. Hmm, sound familar? Their most famous alumni was choreographer and future mega pop music movie hit director, Kenny Ortega.

I have a great shot of Kenny, Fee Waybill, Cherie Currie onstage at Whisky, May 1977. She was a great fan and friend of the band. Found out from another member, Leroy Jones, also in that photo. Oh wow, I have some wild proof sheets from their shows. Only shot ever published was the one I described, but waaaay back when ...

Good pt bringing them up ... cos this explains why Lady Gaga leaves me cold ... been there, done that. It’s recycled ....

As for Handsome Dick Manitoba: oh ... well, wrestling tights, not a reflections of glitter, but he was soooo far ahead of predicting WWW and all that ... he was in a league of his own. IMHO.

The Tubes and Lady Gaga? I think you’ve nailed another connection ...

And pls, let’s give credit to Bob Mackie and all the other costume designers inspired by him. Between Carol Burnett and Cher on TV, Mitzi Gaynor and Ann-Margaret in Vegas, and more, he clothed a bevy of beauties. He was so over the top. Can anyone forget Cher’s outfit when she won the Best Actress Oscar??? Thank Bob Mackie!!