What made the 1970s such a defining decade for both music and fashion? In this episode, Arts Society accredited lecturers Steve King (music historian) and Scott Schiavone (fashion curator) explore how sound and style collided to create one of the most inventive eras in modern culture. From disco’s sweltering dance floors and punk’s raw rebellion to glam rock’s theatrical excess, they trace how identity, politics, and creativity reshaped what people listened to and what they wore while doing it.From Barry White, George McCrae, and Donna Summer’s electronic revolution to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s punk provocation, the episode unpacks how the 70s mixed rebellion with glamour. They trace disco’s roots in marginalized communities, the rise of designers like Halston, Scott Barrie, and Diane von Fürstenberg, and the way icons like David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and Jimi Hendrix5 blurred boundaries between performance, art, and identity. From Studio 54 to Northern Soul, funk, and New Wave, Steve and Scott reveal how the decade’s fearless creativity still shapes today’s music, fashion, and culture.

The Arts Society brings arts education and culture to a network of over 64,000 members. With over 300 Arts Societies across the UK and beyond, there is a local Arts Society ready to welcome you, wherever you are.Become a member for monthly expert arts lectures, special events, and a community of art lovers near you.

All guest viewpoints are independent and do not necessarily reflect The Arts Society’s perspective.