1975 Tranniversary: Lenny

Lenny's Tranniversary is 1975, the landmark year that marked the end of the United States involvement in Vietnam and the birth of the Microsoft computer. It was also the year that birthed the Rubik's Cube, the Betamax video cassette player, Big Red Chewing Gum, Country Time Lemonade, Famous Amos Cookies, and Miller Lite Beer.

Gerald Ford was president, having been sworn in the year prior following Nixon's historic resignation in 1974. 1975 was the year of reckoning for several of the key players in Watergate, with Nixon's top three advisors being sentenced to prison for their roles in obstructing justice. Speaking of scandal, 1975 was also the year of Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance.

He would not be declared dead until 1982. The British Conservative Party chose Margaret Thatcher as its first female leader, and the U. S. got its first openly gay member of any state legislature in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. 1975 also marked the first time a bill focusing on LGBTQ rights was introduced to Congress, however, that bill sadly died on committee.

In sports, it was a banner year for Pennsylvania, with the Pittsburgh Steelers winning the Super Bowl and the Philadelphia Flyers taking home the Stanley Cup. The Godfather Part II won Best Film at the Oscars, with Francis Ford Coppola adding yet another feather to his cap as the year's Best Director.

Art Carney won Best Actor for his role in Harry and Tonto, and Ellen Burstyn won for her role in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Captain and Tennille's Love Will Keep Us Together topped the Billboard charts, along with Glen Campbell's Rhinestone Cowboy and Elton John's Philadelphia Freedom. We'll lead in this episode with music from Lenny himself.

Lenny just released a love letter to his hometown on May 12th with Always In My Heart, New Orleans Is My Home. Check out his music and other artistic projects at LennyZenith. com. That's L E N N Y Z E N I T H dot com.