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Photos of life in Tucson in the late 1970s
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From camping out for The Rolling Stones to exploring new malls, see how Tucsonans lived in the late 1970s.
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First Tucson McDonald's closes
The first Tucson McDonald's, located in the Speedway-Swan area, closed in 1979, nearly 20 years after the pioneering franchise made its debut in the Old Pueblo.
Art Grasberger / Arizona Daily StarMartha Vazquez, PM Magazine
Martha Vazquez and Michael Cowman, hosts of P.M. Magazine, in the Arizona Daily Star newsroom in December, 1979.
Alan Berner / Arizona Daily StarUA vs ASU showdown
Fans scream at Arizona Stadium during a Nov. 25, 1978, showdown between Arizona and Arizona State in Tucson.
H. Darr Beiser / Tucson CitizenLittle Joe at El Casino Ballroom
Little Joe of Little Joe, Johnny and la Familia performs at El Casino Ballroom at 437 East 26th St. in Tucson on July 29, 1979.
Art Grasberger / Arizona Daily StarTucson mayor Lew Murphy
Tucson Mayor Lew Murphy pauses during an interview in his office on October 25, 1979.
Jose Galvez / Arizona Daily StarRolling Stones cleanup 1978
Assorted trash and some sleeping bags were all that remained after crowds of people gathered to purchase Rolling Stones tickets in 1978.
Scott Braucher / Arizona Daily StarThe Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones at the Tucson Convention Center Arena in 1978.
Joe Vitti / Arizona Daily StarRolling Stones fan surge
The crowd surges before the Rolling Stones concert at the Tucson Convention Center Arena in 1978.
Joe Vitti / Arizona Daily StarUA pie service
University of Arizona students demonstrate their pie in the face service on Feb. 16, 1979.
Jim Davis / Arizona Daily StarRex Allen
Rex Allen returned to Willcox in 1979 to perform at the town's annual Rex Allen Days festival.
Don DaleCongress Hotel Barber Shop
Scene from inside the Congress Hotel Barber Shop.
Tucson Citizen fileAnselmo Valencia
A photo of Anselmo Valencia, Executive Director of the Yaqui Indian Tribe, taken in 1979.
Tucson Citizen fileAlice Cooper in Tucson
Ghoulish rocker Alice Cooper performs at the Tucson Community Center on April 10, 1979.
Lew Elliott / Tucson CitizenMann Theatres in Tucson
A line at Mann Theatres on July 1, 1978.
Tucson Citizen fileMore movie lines
Line of moviegoers at the Buena Vista on July 1, 1978.
Tucson Citizen fileTucson Monastery
Sister Elsa maintains candles in 1978 in the sanctuary of the Tucson Monastery of Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 800 N. Country Club Road.
Joe Vitti / Arizona Daily StarArizona State Museum work
Dr. Walter Birkby, forensic anthropologist, at work at the Arizona State Museum in 1979.
Manuel Miera / Tucson CitizenJoseph Bonanno, Sr.
Joe Bonanno, Sr, at the federal courthouse in Tucson in 1979.
Jack W. Sheaffer / Arizona Daily StarSabino High students
A student in a Sabino High School math class uses a calculator during class on Oct. 8, 1979.
Scott Braucher / Arizona Daily StarEric Clapton gets married in Tucson
Legendary British rock guitarist Eric Clapton, left, exits Bethel Temple in Tucson with Pattie Boyd in Tucson on March 27, 1979, after the two were married. Boyd was formerly married to George Harrison of the Beatles. Boyd said in her autobiography that she became involved with Clapton after hearing "Layla," which he wrote with drummer Jim Gordon while with the group Derek and The Dominos. "It was the most wonderful song I had ever heard," she wrote.
Bruce Hopkins / Tucson CitizenCortaro General Store
Signs near the Cortaro General Store on the northwest corner of Cortaro Road and I-10 in December, 1978.
Joan Rennick / Tucson CitizenCortaro General Store
The Cortaro General Store on Cortaro Road was where northwest residents shopped in 1978.
Joan Rennick / Tucson CitizenDavis-Monthan base housing
Base housing on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in 1978.
Tucson Citizen fileJet crash
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base firefighters pull their hose to spray the area around the engine of an A-7D Corsair II jet fighter after it crashed near the University of Arizona on October 26, 1978. It crashed on to North Highland Avenue near East Sixth Street. A car carrying two sisters was engulfed in flames, killing both women. The pilot safely ejected.
Manuel Miera / Tucson CitizenJet crash near the UA
This is the aftermath of the crash of an A-7D Corsair II jet fighter after it crashed near the University of Arizona on Oct. 26, 1978, as it was approaching Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Photo credit: Manuel Miera, Tucson Citizen
First day of school around Tucson
Principal Jo Musser plays guitar and sings to children on the first day of school at Borton Elementary in Tucson, 1979.
Joe Vitti / Arizona Daily StarPresident Ford and Mariachi Cobre
Former President Gerald Ford meets with members of Mariachi Cobre during a Tucson Open Pro-Am Awards Banquet on Feb. 14, 1979.
Art Grasberger / Arizona Daily StarGoldwater's at El Con
People wait outside on opening day at Goldwater's in the El Con Mall.
Tucson Citizen fileGoldwater's at El Con
Opening day at Goldwater's in El Con Mall in 1978. It was the fifth store in the chain, built at a cost of $8 million.
Tucson Citizen fileGranada Avenue
Granada Avenue as it looked on June 11, 1979. At one time, the city considered widening the half-mile stretch north of the Redondo Towers, but residents protested the proposal.
Manuel Miera / Tucson CitizenUniversity of Arizona Homecoming
The Ooh Ah Man leads students and administrators in chants during a Homecoming Rally on the UA Mall in October, 1979.
Jack W. Sheaffer / Arizona Daily StarUniversity of Arizona Homecoming
Dancers swing their heads and hair to the music of Chuck Wagon and the Wheels during a 1979 Homecoming Rally on UA Mall.
Jack W. Sheaffer / Arizona Daily StarJohnny Gibson
Johnny Gibson cutting hair in his barber shop, June 26, 1979.
Arizona Daily Star fileLas Posadas
Children at Carrillo School near downtown Tucson sing during Las Posadas in December, 1978. The school has hosted the annual procession since 1937.
H. Darr Beiser / Tucson CitizenMacrame furniture
Willie Knight working on macrame furniture, July 3, 1978.
Scott Braucher / Arizona Daily StarNorth Oracle business view
A look at businesses, both new and established, along North Oracle Road between West Roger Road and West Limberlost Drive on March 7, 1979.
H. Darr Beiser/ Tucson CitizenO'Rielly signage
A sign for O'Rielly's Econo Leasing Inc. which in 1979 was located on North Oracle Road at the Rillito River.
H. Darr Beiser/ Tucson CitizenEscape artist
Escape artist Charlie Myrick emerges from captivity after being handcuffed by Tucson Police officer Mark Miranda, left, and Arizona DPS Officer Robert Gilmartin during the Pima County Fair in April, 1978.
Lew Elliott / Tucson CitizenPueblo High basketball champions
Pueblo High School coach Roland LaVetter hugs guard Lafayette Lever in the Arizona State AAA basketball championship game vs. Rincon High School in Tempe, Ariz. on March 4, 1978.
Jose Galvez / Arizona Daily StarFormer California Gov. Ronald Reagan
Former California Gov. Ronald Reagan, and his wife Nancy, are on the stage of Flowing Wells High School for Bellamy Award Day on October 26, 1979. Reagan, who was the favorite as the 1980 Republican presidential nominee, had not officially entered the race at the time.
Joan Rennick / Tucson CitizenTanque Verde Swap Meet
Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in January, 1979.
Dan Tortorell / Tucson CitizenTanque Verde Swap Meet
Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in January, 1979.
Dan Tortorell / Tucson CitizenRalph's Service Station
Ralph's Service Station at S. 4th Ave. and E. 19th St. in January, 1979.
Jon Hemmer / Tucson CitizenCongress Street looking west from Stone Avenue
Congress Street in downtown Tucson, looking east from Stone Avenue, in November, 1978.
P.K. Weis / Tucson CitizenFugitive manhunt
Law enforcement officers search vehicles at a roadblock in August, 1978, during the hunt for fugitive escapee Gary Tison and the Tison gang.
Tucson Citizen fileFallout shelter
John Stufflebean appears at the door of the family's fallout shelter on Kilmer Street in Tucson in November, 1978.
Manuel Miera / Tucson CitizenTransit strikes in Tucson
A union member outside the Sun Tran bus yard takes a siesta during a long day of picketing on Aug. 11, 1978.
Bruce Hopkins / Tucson CitizenBilly Joel in Tucson
The "Piano Man" Billy Joel performs at the Tucson Community Center on November 14, 1978.
Tucson Citizen fileMagic Carpet Golf
Magic Carpet Golf in Tucson in July, 1978.
Manuel Miera / Tucson CitizenApache Drive-In Theater
Apache Drive-In Theater in Tucson showing The Jungle Book in June, 1978.
Tucson Citizen fileGene Wilder in Tucson
Actor Gene Wilder, center, with Harrison Ford, right, while filming of "The Frisco Kid" along the road to Sasabe, southwest of Tucson on Nov. 30, 1978.
Jose Galvez / Arizona Daily StarRelated to this collection
The Democratic mayors, including Tucson's leader, concede that their police departments are not enforcing their own local orders.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of a woman, who was found in a Foothills home along with a man injured from a …
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally on Wednesday morning announced she has canceled a telephone town hall later today that was set to give constituents a…
Sandy Payton was chosen on the same day of her audition.
Former track coach is facing trial for aggravated assault, stalking.
More than 40 firefighters battled a blaze that sent a Denny’s restaurant up in flames overnight.
One person has been wounded in a shooting this afternoon on Tucson's south side, police say.
He and his son and donor, Adalberto Gallegos Jr., are recovering from Monday's kidney transplant surgery.
Director, actor, comic book man Kevin Smith has been making the rounds in Tucson ahead of his appearance at the Rialto Theatre this Friday.
Another corrections officer was fired for failing to cooperate with the investigation, sheriff's department says.
It's not unusual for new east side barbecue restaurant to sell out of smoked meats before closing time.
The injured have non-life threatening injuries.
The 70-unit development will serve low- and moderate-income families.
After averaging 10.9 points as a freshman, he took name out of NBA draft to come back to UA.
A motorcyclist is injured after driving off the road on Mt Lemmon.
Advice for the real world.
The group's proposal for the 2018 ballot would make it illegal to pursue, shoot, snare, net or capture any "wild cat.''
Kirkpatrick campaign believes the Congressional Leadership Fund has already spent more than $10,000 in CD2 advocating for U.S. Rep. Martha McSally.
Anti-voucher group wants 2018 public vote on expansion of allowing public funds for private schools.
There will be a variety of information and resources for veterans.
Six Coyote unmanned aircraft flew low to help NOAA gather data inside Hurricane Maria.
The annual Insect Festival gives attendees an up-close-and-personal look at bugs
The musical based on her life is loaded with the songs that topped the charts
Yates’ presence on the sideline has proved invaluable for a UA defense chock-full of freshmen experiencing college football for the first time.
New coach, dynamic offense has west-side program challenging for playoff spot.
Above normal temperatures will also return next week.
Despite Tucson's plethora of watering holes, this Fourth Avenue spot was the only pub to make the list.
More than 150,000 people attended last year’s procession.
We’ve all had it happen: You hear about a book and go to your local library to find it, but dozens of people are ahead of you on the wait list…
Authorities are searching for one suspect.
On the restaurant's website patrons are told to, "relax and enjoy yourself" and "feel the love"
Nearly 40-percent of Old Tucson Studios, including many of the most-famous wood structures seen in Westerns, was destroyed by fire on April 24, 1995.
More than 5,000 Tucsonans were without power on the southwest side Tuesday afternoon, according to the Tucson Electric Power website.
ORLANDO, Fla. — An Arizona man has been sentenced to three days in jail after deputies say he falsely told guests at a Walt Disney World resor…
Happy 248th birthday, Tucson! Today, we are looking back at more than a dozen historic photos taken in and of the Old Pueblo.

