1970s research

It is really unhelpful to suggest you ask your parents? If you're looking for a 'feel' for everyday life rather than specific questions, it's probably worth asking someone you know well about whatever aspects you want to cover.

That 70s Show could be pretty accurate, actually. See if you can find a website or interview with the person who figured out set and dialogue details.

Some very random things: disco (even the Grateful Dead adopted the feel for an album), Disco Sucks, punk, Styx, vinyl records and album art, Yankees World Series (Reg-gie!), down vests, Adidas sneakers, New York City was pretty rough.

Bigger picture: alot of Vietnam films were coming out, The Deer Hunter and (I think) Coming Home, so the media was sorting through "meaning" and "controversial" depictions of it; Iran hostages in 1979 (US-related); Saturday Night Live was big, John Belushi and Gilda Radner absolutely nailed stuff. President Carter said there was a malaise and there was that feel.

That movie "Running With Scissors" sums up a lot about those times? Who is the MC you are writing?
Willing to be a buddy on this era because, well, I lived in it! (or through it...) The refs above on music and so forth are perfect...
I'd add in the Talking Heads, though. It was a pretty arty time too for many...

Thanks friends. My parents aren't the most talkative people. They give very focused answers, not very descriptive. My story is a Southern fiction about a man whose alcoholism has destroyed one family and is destroying another. He sobers up to learn that his life has passed him by. It's about his journey in seeking and finding forgiveness, both personal and familial.

Speaking of alcohol then, beer can collecting was very big in the 70's. Southern rock was huge: Allman Bros, Lynrd Skynrd, Molly Hatchet, Charlie Daniels Band.

What are you looking for? I graduate high school in 1980 and lived in both the north and the south during the 70s. Feel free to ask anything.