Were you familiar with 3 other big name acts of that time?
A.The Partridge Family;”I Think I Love You, C’mon get Happy”
B.The Cowsills: The Rain, The Park,.. Hair
C.The Byrds. 8 Miles High, Turn, Turn, Turn, Green Tambourine.
As you know, the 60’s and 70’s became deep wells for good music of various types. Some you may not want to admit ever liking.
I think the Cowsills Rain Park and other things is a first class pop compilation...I love it
Byrds ditto but I like the earthier Untitled or Grams influence
Partridge....I like Shirley and Susan
Both lust worthy
The "Lemon Pipers" (a relatively local band) did "Green Tambourine".
I was/am a huge fan of the Byrds and McGuinn's 12-string jangly Rickenbacker sound.
"Just get an electric guitar, and take some time, and learn how to play"
Actually the Cowsills were the inspiration for The Partridge Family but they were not deemed telegenic enough for a TV Show. So enter Susan Dey, David Cassidy and the rest of the clan to put together a hip TV band for the 7-14 demographic. They sold a lot of breakfast cereal with that show. Used to be on 8:30 on Friday Nights (just after The Brady Bunch).
Partridge Family actually had some decent pop songs. "Summer Days" and "Point Me In The Direction of Albuquerque" are two good examples of that.
Speaking of TV bands, the Monkees actually played all their own instruments and were very talented. They even started writing some of their own songs like this one here: "Mary Mary". Michael Nesmith of that band went on to a successful solo career and wrote hits for others such as Linda Rondstadt.
Another lost favorite from that time is the duet of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood called "Some Velvet Morning." which is quite a trippy song. In fact, the video linked here reminds me of the ending of "Planet of the Apes."