39 Vintage Photos of the Mid 1970s

Last Updated on May 15, 2025 by Colby Droscher

Vintage photos of the mid-’70s show a time when the world was balanced between the past and the future. It was a decade defined by the rise of new music, experimental fashion, and an evolving sense of identity. From the flamboyance of disco to the raw energy of punk, this era was all about self-expression and breaking away from tradition.

The faces, styles, and small moments frozen in time reflect a world in the midst of redefining itself. Each photo holds a story. Whether it’s the joy of a night out, the quiet reflection of a moment alone, or the candid gestures that speak volumes about life before the digital age. Here are 39 vintage photos from the mid-70s.

1. Pink Floyd concert, 1975

Black and white photo of a packed stadium crowd at a concert. In the foreground, someone holds a newspaper with "Pink Floyd" on the page, suggesting the concert is for the band Pink Floyd. — zeehammer

This concert was in Hamilton, Ontario, and just over 50,000 people attended.

2. Lombard Street, San Francisco, 1975

A steep, winding street lined with colorful flowers and shrubs. Several cars navigate the sharp curves. People stand and talk at the bottom, and buildings flank the lush, famous road. A “Do Not Enter” sign is visible. — chaseemdown150

Whoever is in charge of the gardening deserves a raise.

3. Soldier in Vietnam, 1975

soomathemoonman

Soldiers in Vietnam would write messages to loved ones of their fellow troops on their helmets.

4. Chi Chi Rodriguez and his caddie at the ’75 Masters

A caddie in white coveralls and a green cap stands next to a golfer wearing a gray sweater, red pants, and a hat. They are outdoors on a golf course, surrounded by people and trees. — archiguru

These two own ’70s style.

5. Cindy and Brian Wilson of the B-52’s

A young man and woman stand side by side in vintage formal clothing against a plain, textured backdrop. The man wears a bold checkered jacket and bow tie; the woman wears a hat and a draped jacket over a dress. — simagus

This photo was taken in 1975, a few years before these two saw success.

6. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, 1975

Seven men stand casually in front of a window with “COFFEE CUP” written on it. They wear 1970s-style clothing, including hats, sunglasses, striped shirts, and flared jeans, smiling and chatting together.

From left to right: Garry W. Tallent, Danny Federici, The Boss, The Big Man, Max Weinberg, Steven Van Zandt, and Roy Bittan.

7. The original cast of SNL, 1975

A group of seven people pose on a staircase in front of a brick wall. They appear to be in the 1970s, wearing retro clothing and serious expressions. Some are standing, while others sit or lean on the stairs. — gnarly-gnu

This crew deserves all the love in the world for the laughs.

8. Fixing up her truck, 1975

A young woman with long wavy hair, wearing a white tank top and blue jeans, sits on a board next to a turquoise van. She holds a wrench and is surrounded by tools and a soda can on the ground. — liamlars

She breathes confidence.

9. Debbie Harry, 1975

A woman in a cropped shirt and pants leans against the hood of a classic car at night, looking toward the camera. The image is in black and white. — edwardbliss

She’s stunting her 1966 Ford Thunderbird.

10. David Bowie, 1975

A person with slicked-back, reddish-blonde hair wears pink-tinted sunglasses, a dark open-collared jacket, layered cross necklaces, and has a cigarette in their mouth, standing outdoors with a blurred background. — lolalodge

The ’70s had a whole new level of confidence.

11. “Nicholson is delicious.”

Black-and-white photo of a man with a beard and receding hairline, smiling and holding up a newspaper clipping with the headline "Nicholson is delicious." He wears a patterned shirt and stands in front of a plain door. — userdeleted

Nicholson is one of the most amazing yet creepy actors of the generation.

12. Led Zeppelin relaxing by the fireplace on their private jet

Three people relax on patterned sofas in a private jet with ornate decor, including a mantelpiece with a clock and a faux fireplace below, engaged in conversation and smiling. — chris-burke

The name of their jet was The Starship.

13. Hip couple in Chicago, mid ’70s

A man in a light blue suit with an afro and bow tie stands next to a woman in a red dress and large white hat; both have a confident, stylish 1970s look and stand outdoors on a sidewalk. — staytemp05

The color coordination is on point.

14. He isn’t the greatest salesman

A man with a cast on his left leg stands on crutches beside a yellow Suzuki dirt bike, parked on a rural roadside. A handwritten "For Sale" sign is placed in front of the motorcycle. — userdeleted

“Please buy this machine that cost me the ability to walk.”

15. ZZ Top, 1975

Three men in embroidered suits and cowboy hats pose together in a black-and-white photo. Two wear light-colored cowboy hats and have beards; the third has long hair and a mustache but no hat. — redditredditreddit

We didn’t know seeing ZZ Top in floral suits was something we needed, but it was.

16. “My sister and her ’66 GTO, 1975”

A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a white crop top and blue jeans, stands in front of a classic silver Pontiac car with a Washington license plate. Trees and a grassy area are in the background. — gnarlodious

That isn’t the smartest mirror decoration for when you get pulled over.

17. KC and the Sunshine Band, mid-1970s

A black-and-white photo of nine men sitting and standing together in two rows, posing for a group portrait. They are wearing casual, patterned clothing and smiling warmly at the camera. — giff95

Who else misses ’70s disco culture?

18. The Bay City Rollers, 1975

Five smiling young men in matching plaid and striped outfits sit indoors, each holding a large framed gold record award. They appear to be celebrating and are surrounded by bright, upbeat energy. — so_do_you_like_stuff

Showing off their gold albums.

19. Led Zeppelin, 1975

Four men stand around a table with drinks in a backstage room. The table holds assorted bottles, cups, and snacks. The men wear 1970s-style clothing, and a few people sit in the background near blue and white walls. — quick_presentation11

This photo was taken backstage at a venue in Indianapolis.

20. Dolly Parton, 1975

A woman with voluminous blonde hair wearing a light pink, studded dress stands at a microphone, holding a guitar and performing on stage. — eaglemaxie

If she looked like this, what did Jolene look like?

21. The Happy Days cast, 1975

Four men stand smiling in front of a building labeled "Jefferson High School." One wears a leather jacket, two are in blue jackets or sweaters, and one wears a patterned sweater. It appears to be a cheerful, sunny day. — relayer683

The Fonz is such an iconic character.

22. Motocross in 1976

A motocross rider wearing a helmet and "Raiders" jersey, number 37R, leans into a dirt track turn. Another rider is visible in the background. Text reads: "Southwick, Mass 5-30-76" in the top left corner. — azrobjr

This photo was taken at the American Motorcycle Association Mini-Nationals 100cc class.

23. AC/DC in 1976

Five men joyfully pose on a city street, surrounded by smoke; one in front wears a schoolboy outfit, cap, and shorts, while the others stand behind him smiling and laughing near urban buildings. — tr4sh55

It’s a long way to the top topped the charts in 1975 and 1976.

24. The Ramones, 1976

Four men in leather jackets, jeans, and sneakers stand in front of a building with a marquee that says "WELCOME TO LA RAMONES SM CIVIC JAN 26." They appear to be a rock band posing for a photo. — glitteringskillet

Style peaked at leather jackets and jeans.

25. What boys wore to high school in the mid-70s

A group of teenage boys in casual 1970s clothing sit and lean on two parked cars in a wooded suburban area, with one boy shirtless and standing on a car bumper. Some boys have long hair and a bicycle is visible. — violahealth

That car’s shocks are struggling right now.

26. Jim Varney, 1976

A man with wavy hair, wearing a patterned button-up shirt with a wide collar and two necklaces, stands outdoors with sunlight filtering through leaves in the background. — jvstuff

The Earnest films still hold up to this day.

27. The Clash, ’76

Once upon a time, they were considered “The only band that matters.”

28. The Beach Boys, 1976

Five men sit on the floor in a circle, surrounded by various vinyl record album covers. They look up toward the camera, which shoots from above. They wear casual 1970s clothing and all have beards. — shadowyflows

They don’t really look like “boys” to me.

29. A mid-70s wedding rehearsal

Four people sit around a table filled with colorful dishes and food. Two people in the center smile and hug, while a man on the left wears sunglasses. The background shows a retro kitchen with a striped curtain. — redlightgreenlighter

Bring back doing wedding rehearsals in the bride or groom’s basement.

30. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1976

A bodybuilder in a swimsuit poses on a round platform, flexing muscles, surrounded by a large, attentive audience in a dimly lit venue. — careless_spring_6764

I want someone to look at me the way that man to the right of Arnold is looking at him.

31. Andre the Giant, about to break a record

A large man in a yellow shirt sits at a bar talking to a woman in a purple sweater, with bottles, glasses, and a lamp on the counter behind them. — kornichon

The record he broke was the most beer consumed in a single sitting. He drank 119 beers in just six hours.

32. Catherine Scorsese, 1976

A man smiles while eating food from a napkin, standing next to an elderly woman in glasses and a floral dress who looks at him fondly; they are in a homey kitchen setting. — angeloferlucci

Catherine Scorsese, Martin’s mother, would bring goodies on set for the actors.

33. Young Leonardo DiCaprio and his parents, mid-70s

A smiling woman holds up a toddler’s hand while a man with a beard supports the child. They are outdoors, standing close together, and all three appear joyful and engaged with each other. — userdeleted

They had no idea their baby boy would be one of the most famous actors ever.

34. Jimmy Carter hopping a fence

A man in a suit vaults over a rope barrier near an airplane while another man in sunglasses follows, with onlookers and security personnel watching in the background. — diosmioman63

They had a plane to catch at LaGuardia airport, so they didn’t have time to wait in lines.

35. The Runaways, 1976

Five young women in matching “The Runaways” t-shirts and jeans pose together in front of musical equipment, standing close and facing the camera with confident expressions. — havereddit

Left to right: Jackie Fox, Joan Jett, Sandy West, Cherie Currie, Lita Ford

36. Thumbing a lift in Florida, 1976

A woman in a red top, denim shorts, and brown boots stands on the roadside, with her arm raised over her head. Two bags sit on the ground beside her, and cars are visible on the road in the background. — post_scriptor

I wish hitchhiking was as common now as it used to be.

37. Infant Benedict Cumberbatch, 1976

A smiling couple holds a newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket, posing closely together in a black-and-white photo. — lilac2481

He’s pictured with his parents, Wanda Ventham and Tim Carlton.

38. Joey Ramone, mid-70s

A person with curly hair stands outside a barber shop holding a magazine. Signs in the window advertise men's, ladies', and punk haircuts for $2.75 each. The scene has a vintage, black-and-white style. — userdeleted

Check out those haircut prices.

39. Elton John at Dodger Stadium, 1975

A musician in a sequined outfit and sunglasses plays a grand piano on stage in front of a massive stadium crowd during a concert. — winstonwolfsmentor

You couldn’t fit another person in there if they had a crowbar.

Want to see more 1970s content?

Check out these 25 Vintage Photos from 1970s Summers, or take a look at 19 Vintage Photos of Van Life in the 1970s. If you want to take a look at shopping culture in the ’70s, check out 18 Photos That Capture 1970s Mall Life.

Tags: 1970s

39 Vintage Photos of the Mid-1970s