That '70s City: People

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Atlanta in the 1970s: People

That '70s City: When Atlanta Came of Age

Hank Aaron holds aloft the ball he hit for his 715th home run on April 8, 1974.

Ted Turner poses for a portrait in 1976.

In May 1978, Ted Turner -- the Braves' owner -- acted as umpire for an exhibition game between the Atlanta and Richmond Braves.

Ted Turner helps out a base sweeper during a Braves game.

The Atlanta Braves' Phil Niekro pitched during a 1978 game.

In 1978, Bobby Cox (center) was in the first year of his first stint as Braves manager.

A man in a gorilla suit helped clean the bases during a Braves game.

Dave Bristol of the Braves milks a cow as a publicity stunt in 1977.

Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds stands safely on base after hitting safely in his 44th straigh game, against the Braves in Atlanta in 1978. His steak ended the next game.

NASCAR driver Benny Parsons sits in the garage at Atlanta International Raceway, now known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, in 1978.

Steve Bartkowski had some tough times as quarterback of the Falcons in the 1970s. The team went 60-84-3 during the decade.

Blanche Thebom, Gov. Jimmy Carter, Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell and Atlanta Flames president William R. Putnam open the Omni's first event in 1972.

Atlanta Falcons' Jeff Van Note does the job blocking Ted Hendricks of the Oakland Raiders in 1975.

Developer Tom Cousins and wife, Anne, attend a Hawks game.

Sportscaster Skip Caray chats with the Hawks' Joe Caldwell in 1970.

Ernest Borgnine and his wife rode the merry-go-round during the lavish opening of the World of Sid & Marty Krofft in May 1976.

On Jan. 5, 1978, the Sex Pistols played their first American concert at the Great Southeast Music Hall in Atlanta.

Local music promoter Alex Cooley presided over the Champagne Jam at Georgia Tech in 1979. The acts included Atlanta Rhythm Section, Aerosmith and The Cars.

God Bless Hank Aaron. Here he holds aloft the ball he hit for his 715th home run on April 8, 1974. Eight years later I would get the chance of a lifetime, to meet him in person.

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Hank Aaron holds aloft the ball he hit for his 715th home run on April 8, 1974.

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