History from the 1970s
with Tony Bucher

History from the 1970s is a three-session series from Tony Bucher that delves into the tumultuous and multifaceted landscape of 1970s California and beyond. In the first session titled "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: Murderous Cults and Serial Killers in 1970s California," Tony Bucher explores the dark underbelly of the state's dreams, chronicling the chilling tales of infamous cults like the Manson Family, Reverend Jim Jones' People's Temple, and the Symbionese Liberation Army that sent shockwaves across the nation. Moving to a different tune, "Taking It to the Streets: Northern Californian Music of the 1970s" unveils the diverse musical tapestry of the era, from gritty street funk to arena rock, with Bucher presenting a captivating era highlights reel featuring legendary acts like Sly & the Family Stone, the Grateful Dead, Santana, the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, CCR, The Dead Kennedys, and the one and only Sylvester. The final session, "Archie Bunker’s Chair," examines the political and cultural ferment of the Sixties and Seventies, focusing on the role of influential Irish Americans such as Carroll O’Connor's Archie Bunker, RFK, Timothy Leary, and George Carlin, whose stories offer a rich and irreverent glimpse into a pivotal era now half a century in the past.

This three-session series will be held on January 22, 29, and February 5 from 12:00-1:15 pm in the 4th Floor Board Room at Mechanics' Institute.

About the Presenter

Tony Bucher came of age in one of the few places that mattered in the 1970s: Berkeley, California. He is President of the Irish Literary & Historical Society of San Francisco and a columnist for the Irish Herald newspaper. Tony has presented talks on Irish Americana and the history of the 1970s at the Mechanics' Institute as well as academic conferences and literary festivals in Ireland and the US. He holds a BA in History from UC Berkeley and an MA from Columbia University.

Series Schedule and Content

January 22: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: Murderous Cults and Serial Killers in 1970s California

California was a place of dreams in the national psyche of mid-Century America. By the late 1960s, however, those dreams were disturbed by lurid stories of the murderous cults that came to plague the state. The Manson Family, the Jonestown Massacre, Symbionese Liberation Army, and an array of lesser-known criminals and psychopaths shocked the nation and drove a dystopian narrative of 1970s California. Tony Bucher, a native of the Bay Area, has made a close study of the darker aspects of California's history.

January 29: Taking It to the Streets: Californian Music of the 1970s

From gritty street funk to cracker blues to gay disco divas, from street jams to slick arena rock and punk rock, California in the 1970s had it all. Come and enjoy an era highlights reel with a child of the madness that was post-hippie San Francisco. Featuring some of the greatest sounds in American musical history including the Grateful Dead, Santana, the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

February 5: Archie Bunker’s Chair

The 1960s and 1970s were a time of political turmoil and broad social and cultural ferment in America. Irish Americans were ubiquitous among both the forces of reaction and progress in this era, with popular figures like Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker representing bigotry and resistance to change, while RFK, Timothy Leary, and George Carlin were leaders of the emerging cultural and political vanguard. A close look at the era reveals a rich panoply of influential Irish Americans in politics and popular culture, whose stories stir fascinating memories of a seminal era now 50 years in the past. Join us in revisiting the stories of some of the colorful and often extremely irreverent Irish American figures of the 1960s and 1970s.

Cancellation Policy

We reserve the right to cancel at any time and issue a full refund. If you are unable to attend this series, please email [email protected] by Sunday, January 21, 2024, to receive a full refund less any non-refundable ticketing fees which may be applicable. All fees must be paid at the time of registration. After Sunday, January 21, 2024 no refunds will be issued.

Questions? Please contact [email protected].

Please note: Photos and/or video may be taken during this event.