Did You Know?
The iconic title track “Hotel California” was recorded in one live take—with the final guitar solo seamlessly blending Don Felder and Joe Walsh’s parts. It took nearly a full day to capture, but the result was one of the most celebrated solos in rock history.

Disco was exploding, led by the likes of Heatwave’s “Boogie Nights” and Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” while Stevie Wonder celebrated his musical heroes in “Sir Duke.” ABBA’s “Knowing Me, Knowing You” and Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice” rounded out a year where pop, soul, and rock collided in spectacular style.

South Africa was making waves too. Joy’s “Paradise Road” became a local classic, Clout found global fame with “Substitute,” and Crocodile Harris gave us the aching “Give Me the Good News.” These local legends stood proudly alongside international giants on the charts.

🎬 Meanwhile, Star Wars opened in theatres and redefined cinema. Elvis Presley’s sudden passing in August marked the end of an era, just as disco and electronic music were about to reshape the future—with Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” leading the charge.

In the world of pop culture, Saturday Night Fever and its glittering soundtrack were on the verge of launching John Travolta to superstardom and catapulting disco into the stratosphere. TV screens were dominated by shows like Charlie’s Angels, Happy Days, and Three’s Company, and fashion was all about sequins, platform shoes and oversized lapels. Even tech was starting to shift—with the Apple II home computer making its debut, hinting at the digital revolution to come.