32 Throwback Photos From 1977

Written by Alina Wang on June 3, 2025

Five children laugh and play in the street, arms raised, as water sprays from an open fire hydrant behind them on a sunny day. A parked car and storefronts are visible in the background.

The bell bottoms were wide, the beats were funky, and the world was fast a-changin.’ 1977 was a year of bold moves — a time when disco fever burned hot, punk rock slid its way into the mainstream, and a little movie called “Star Wars: A New Hope” took the world by storm. But beyond the headlines and pop culture moments, life carried on in quiet, everyday ways. From the launch of Apple II to the rise of punk rock, here are 32 vintage photos that take us back to a year packed with energy, style, and the unmistakable vibe of the late ’70s.

1. People Strolling Through the Streets of New York City

A young woman in a striped dress walks past a man in a wheelchair on a busy city sidewalk. Pedestrians move in both directions amid storefronts, signs, and parked vehicles in an urban setting. — Slow-moving-sloth

2. Harrison Ford, aka Han Solo, on the Set of ‘Star Wars’

A person dressed as Han Solo from Star Wars stands facing the camera, wearing a white shirt, black vest, dark pants with a holster, and boots. Handwritten text appears at the top of the photo. — australiughhh

3. A Newspaper Clipping of Elvis Presley’s Death

A vintage newspaper front page announces Elvis Presley’s death with the headline “A Lonely Life Ends on Elvis Presley Boulevard,” featuring a large photo of Elvis and columns of text about his life and fans mourning. — HappyJacket3113

4. New York City Plunged Into Total Darkness During the Infamous Blackout of 1977, an Event That Lasted 25 Hours

Silhouette of the New York City skyline, including the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, at sunset with an orange and purple gradient sky in the background. — UserDeleted

5. The Clash Performs at the Roxy Club in London, England

A musician with a guitar raises one arm and sings passionately on stage; he wears a shirt with "1977" printed on it. A drummer plays in the background amid stage lights and musical equipment. — gregornot

6. Behind the Galaxy Far, Far Away: A Young Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker Alongside C-3PO and R2-D2 While Filming ‘Star Wars’

A scene from Star Wars shows Luke Skywalker standing next to C-3PO and R2-D2 aboard the Millennium Falcon, surrounded by sci-fi controls and metal walls. Handwritten notes appear on the photo's border. — australiughhh

7. Visiting a Safari in Florida

A lion stands on a road near two cars; people inside one car watch the lion through their window. The scene is outdoors with trees in the background, viewed from inside a car. — Slow-moving-sloth

8. Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin Pose With Fans in Chicago

Four people stand together, smiling and posing for a photo. Two are holding colorful board game boxes. The group includes three men with long hair and a young woman with straight hair and a neutral expression. — tonyiommi70

9. Over 10,000 People Take Over Miffland Street for the 8th Annual Block Party in Madison, Wisconsin

A large crowd fills a residential street during Miffland’s Eighth Annual Block Party; houses line the street, and a young woman sits on a rooftop in the foreground, looking at the camera. — honey_mushroom

10. A Woman Looks Straight Into the Camera During a Summer Event in Wellfleet, Cape Cod

A group of people socialize outdoors near a building, surrounded by trees. One woman in a blue top and white pants stands near the center, looking at the camera, while others converse and mingle around her. — Slow-moving-sloth

11. Dave Vanian, Lead Vocalist of the Damned, Performing Live at the Roxy Club in London, England

A black-and-white photo shows a punk rock performer with dramatic makeup singing energetically on stage, facing a packed, enthusiastic crowd in a small, dimly-lit venue. — ryuundo

12. ‘My Dad (on the right) Growing Up in the 70’s Punk Era in London’

Two people with colorful mohawks and punk clothing sit outdoors among a crowd. One has a tall yellow and red mohawk, and the other has a pink mohawk, both wearing black jackets with patches. Trees are visible in the background. — echolenka

13. A Baby Meets a Monkey on the Streets of Paris, France

A man walking a small dog on a leash passes a woman in a black-and-white coat holding a drink on a wide Parisian street with classic cars and historic buildings in the background. — Slow-moving-sloth

14. ‘My Dad’s Passport Photo in 1977’

Black and white photo of a young man with medium-length dark hair, a mustache, and wearing a patterned shirt, looking directly at the camera. — chauncey2104

15. ‘My Mom in Tehran, Iran, a Year Before the Revolution’

A woman in a pink dress and sunglasses leans against the trunk of a silver car parked on a suburban street, with modern houses and green lawns in the background on a sunny day. — Franklydarlingg

16. Out Stuntin’ on the Streets of London

A woman with a tall, elaborate beehive hairstyle, a fur-collared coat, and layered pearl necklaces stands on a busy city sidewalk, with buildings, cars, and pedestrians in the background. — Slow-moving-sloth

17. A Police Officer Directs Traffic on the Streets of Los Angeles, California

A police officer directs traffic at a busy city intersection lined with tall buildings, vintage cars, and crowds of pedestrians. Colorful shop signs and a theater marquee are visible in the background. — AxlCobainVedder

18. Madeline Kahn on the Set of ‘The Cheap Detective’

A woman in a bathrobe sits in a salon chair, lifting her wavy hair with both hands. She looks slightly to the side with a relaxed expression. The image is in black and white. — bil_sabab

19. A Young Carrie Fisher During the Filming of ‘Star Wars’

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20. … And We Can’t Forget Chewbacca, Of Course

A tall, furry character with brown hair and a bandolier stands in front of two orange, rectangular doors in a sci-fi setting. — australiughhh

21. An Ad for the Apple II Computer Released in 1977

A man works on an Apple II computer in a kitchen, with a monitor displaying a line graph. A woman stands in the background near a window. The text at the top reads, "Introducing Apple II. — remove

22. A Dairy Queen Featuring an Old Buick Parked Outside

A vintage red and white car is parked in front of a brightly lit Dairy Queen at night. The neon sign features a child holding an ice cream cone, and the restaurant windows display colorful ads and an "OPEN" sign. — ColorizedHollywood

23. Are You Kidding Me With Those Tiny Bell Bottoms?!

A woman in a patterned dress squats to button a young boy’s gray coat. The boy wears plaid pants and looks upset. They are indoors, with a patterned wallpaper and a large round lamp in the background. — Slow-moving-sloth

24. Val Kilmer Pictured With His High School Basketball Team

A vintage black-and-white photo of a boys’ basketball team and their coach. The coach stands at left, while ten players wearing numbered uniforms pose in two rows, some kneeling and some standing. — liverichly

25. Mickey Entertaining the Crowd at Walt Disney World

A large crowd watches Mickey Mouse perform on a decorated outdoor stage near Cinderella Castle at a theme park, with people in the foreground and trees in the background. — leslieanneperry

26. Portland Trail Blazers Coach Jack Ramsay Gets a Champagne Shower After Leading His Team to an NBA Championship Win

A jubilant man stands with arms raised as others pour drinks over him in a crowded locker room, celebrating a sports victory. People around him are laughing, cheering, and taking photos. — OregonTripleBeam

27. ‘My 21st Birthday Party With the Neighborhood Gang, 1977’

A group of people in 1970s-style clothing pose closely together indoors, smiling and laughing. One person in front holds a can of Schlitz beer. Wood paneling and lace curtains are visible in the background. — msndrstood

28. People Hanging Out in Greenpoint, Brooklyn During the New York City Blackout

A group of people, mostly children and teens, gather on a city sidewalk at night under a street sign for Greenpoint Ave. Some people stand talking, while others sit nearby. The scene is lively and urban, with dim street lighting. — 5_Frog_Margin

29. Acclaimed NFL Player Earl Campbell Visits the University of Texas at Austin Campus

A man wearing a white "TEXAS" T-shirt, blue bell-bottom jeans, and white sneakers walks on a grassy lawn. Behind him is a tall university tower under a clear blue sky, with trees framing the scene. — RogerTheAliens

30. Kids Rejoice on the Last Day of School

A group of excited children run and cheer outside a school building, celebrating, while an adult stands to the side watching. The image is in black and white, capturing a joyful, energetic moment. — billibillibillendar

31. Police Officers Stand in Front of a Damaged Store Front That Was Looted in the Wake of the New York City Blackout

A city street filled with scattered papers and debris, crowded with people in the background. Two police officers in uniform and helmets stand in the foreground, observing the scene. Tall buildings line the street. — Robert R. McElroy/Getty Images

32. A Group of Boys Hanging Out in the Bronx

Five boys stand in front of a yellow car parked on a city street, with a run-down brick building featuring boarded windows and graffiti in the background. — tazzior

Want more ’70s content?

For a look at the decade’s pivotal events, don’t skip 15 Defining Moments That Shaped the 1970s. You might also like 15 Vintage Photos of Record Shops in the 1970s and These 17 Vintage Photos Capture the Grit and Glamour of 1960s NYC.