Lost among last night’s Presidential debate was the sad fact that we lost two different 1970’s music icons. And although their songs may have faded into the nether regions of oldies radio, they were still two of the biggest performers of their time.
Mac Davis was 78. Here’s Mac performing his biggest hit, “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me,” on the Midnight Special TV show.
Also passing away at the age of 78 … singer Helen Reddy, who also performed on the Midnight Special back in the day.
After producing several hits for Elvis Presley, including “In The Ghetto” and “Don’t Cry Daddy,” Davis broke through with his first single, and here it is.
Meanwhile, Helen Reddy’s first big hit was his cover of the Mary Magdalene spotlight song from Jesus Christ Superstar, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”
Meanwhile, Mac Davis was popping hit after hit on 70’s radio.
And right after a Mac Davis song, it wasn’t unusual for radio stations to follow it up with a Helen Reddy track.
Of course, both performers would later have their own television variety shows and specials. Here’s an example of Mac Davis’ TV show, where he duets one of his songs with Tom Jones.
Meanwhile, Helen Reddy was a go-to performer for many other television specials and variety shows.
Both Helen and Mac took their turns in the acting world, with Mac Davis appearing in North Dallas Forty…
While Helen Reddy appeared as a guitar-playing nun in Airport 1975.
And yes, both of them appeared on at least one variety show, albeit not at the same time.
One more track from both of them, although I should note that I could have done K-Chuck Radio posts on both performers individually, here’s an underrated Mac Davis track, an upbeat rewrite of the pop song regret, “Rock and Roll (I Gave You All The Best Years of My Life).”
And Helen Reddy gets the last word, and for this I’m pulling her track from the 1973 film Pete’s Dragon. And I don’t regret doing so.
Besides, I’d rather debate the merits of these two great performers.
And I’d like to hear your opinions, as well.
Chuck The Writer 
I Am Woman was anthemic.
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Talk about a double whammy!
To me, Mac Davis’ “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me” was his answer to “Go Away Little Girl”, which tread the same ground. As Roger said, “I Am Woman” was an anthem. An empowerment anthem, and a symbol of the women’s liberation movement of the early 70’s. With Halloween right around the corner, expect Helen’s “Angie Baby” to get more airplay because of its creepy subtexts.
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Have to go with my girl Helen…. Delta Dawn and Candle on the Water are in my Spotify playlists…
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I adored both of these talented people. “You and me against the world” has been a theme for hub and me many times during the past 51 years. The heavenly angel choir has been enriched with these two.
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