Club 82, “New York’s After-Dark Rendezvous,” opened in 1953 and soon gained notoriety for its elaborate stage shows performed by 35 female impersonators. Judy Garland, Kirk Douglas, Elizabeth Taylor, and Salvador Dali were among the glitterati in attendance.

The early 1970s was a period when horn rock bands like Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago were popular and spawned bands like the Ides of March, Lighthouse, and Chase. Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds were a Los Angeles trio who incorporated the sound into “Don’t Pull Your Love,” a №4 hit in 1971.

“Ventura Highway” was a №8 hit from America’s 1972 album Homecoming. Singer and guitarist Dewey Bunnell wrote “Ventura Highway” about his family’s trip in 1963 from Nebraska to California.

Enjoy this excerpt from New York Rock & Roll History: The 1970s, part of our new series tracing the roots of NYC rock music.

It is sad to note that Victor Willis, lead vocalist of 1970s disco group Village People, has died at the age of 74. Willis, who performed as a policeman or naval officer, co-wrote the band’s biggest hits, including “YMCA” and “In the Navy.”

The Lovin’ Spoonful recorded hit after hit in the 1960s, but by 1968, singer-songwriter John Sebastian left to pursue a solo career. Sebastian recorded solo LPs and played harmonica on the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues,” but he couldn’t replicate the success he had with the Spoonful.

It is sad to note the passing of David Clayton-Thomas, the Canadian-born singer of horn rock’s Blood, Sweat & Tears. No cause of death was given. Clayton, 84, died peacefully on June 24 at a Toronto hospital.

“Reminiscing” is one of Little River Band’s signature songs. The lead vocalist was Glenn Shorrock, and it was written by the Australian band’s rhythm guitarist Graeham Goble, who explained its creation in Guitar Player.

“Junior’s Farm” was written by Paul McCartney and recorded by his band, Wings. The roots of the 1974 №3 hit go back to McCartney’s purchase of a Scottish estate called High Park Farm. In his memoir The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, McCartney said the estate provided a respite from the business of being a Beatle.

Regarded as one of the greatest live albums, At Fillmore East was recorded by the Allman Brothers Band on the final two nights of a three-night stand March 12–13, 1971 at Bill Graham’s iconic rock venue.

Promoter Ron Delsener presented Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many other stars at the Palladium.

The core members of Mountain — singer-guitarist Leslie West, bassist and producer Felix Pappalardi, and drummer Corky Laing — formed in 1969. Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen” is the band’s biggest hit, reaching №21 in 1970. West told Music Aficionado that Laing came up with the inspiration for the lyrics.

“Sentimental Lady” was written by guitarist Bob Welch and first recorded for Fleetwood Mac’s 1972 album Bare Trees. The Fleetwood Mac version was 4:34 with backing vocals by Christine McVie.

“Tiny Dancer” was first released on Elton John’s 1971 album Madman Across the Water. When an edited single version was released in 1972, it only reached №41. As more album cuts were played on FM radio in the 1970s, “Tiny Dancer” in its original form became a listener favorite.

“Want to take a mind excursion? How ‘bout a little diversion? The hippest of all trips. The return to reality. Well, join me.” With that introduction, William Mercer, or Rosko to free-form radio fans, would open his shows that showcased a broad range of music: rock, soul, folk, and jazz. Mercer, who grew up on New York’s 114th Street and Manhattan Avenue, read poetry by Kahlil Gibran and delivered impassioned monologues against the My Lai massacre and the Kent State shootings

Robert Klein’s debut album, 1973’s Child of the 50’s, received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Comedy Album. The album was recorded live at New York’s Bitter End.

Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen and Walter Becker met at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, the site of 1973’s “My Old School.” The tune was included on Steely Dan’s 1973 LP Countdown to Ecstasy. The song only reached №63 but is a fan favorite. Its lyrics describe their arrest, along with Fagen’s girlfriend, Dorothy White, in a marijuana raid.

“Black Dog” opens 1971’s untitled fourth Led Zeppelin album and reached №15. Its title comes from a nameless Labrador retriever who wandered around the studio during recording.

America was originally a trio: guitarist-singer Dewey Bunnell, pianist-singer Gerry Beckley, and guitarist-singer Dan Peek. Peek, who died in 2011, left the band in 1977. Bunnell and Beckley have worked as a duo ever since.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, the demand for Civil Rights and an end to the Vietnam War roiled the nation. In response, the Isley Brothers released “Fight the Power,” a №1 R&B hit in 1975. The song was primarily written by Ernie Isley and the band’s keyboardist Chris Jasper.