That's what I said when I saw this cobalt blue Panasonic Panapet radio at the antique mall yesterday.
I had one of these in 1970 when it first came out. My sister had one in a different color, I can't remember if it was white, yellow, red, or green. They had the whole line, one of each, at the mall yesterday. All in working order, in great shape, and the price was right.
I remember taking these on an Easter break trip to visit relatives in southern Michigan or northern Indiana (one or the other). It came with an ear bud so I could listen to whatever I wanted, wherever, and whatever time of day. I remember sleeping with it wedged under my pillow and listening to WLS out of Chicago before I drifted off to sleep. Once back home, I listened mostly to WOKY in Milwaukee. It was AM only.
I don't know what happened to my original Panapet, but I know it was relegated to the back of my closet once we bought our woodgrain console Zenith radio that got—get this—FM stereo. Far out, man! After that, you didn't have to suffer through the snap-crackle-pop of AM playing the top 20 ad nauseum. Album rock was in. A lot has happened in 40 years!
Apollo 11 put the first man on the moon in 1969, and this radio was commemorative of that in its space age design.
Just for kicks, I looked up the Top 100 songs of 1970. Talk about a blast from the past. I won't tell you how much time I spent listening to some of these yesterday. Some are long forgotten, others can still be heard on your garden variety classic rock or oldies station.
Here is my sister and I on that trip when we first got the radios. I'm on the left.
This was one of the songs I was listening to on my Panapet in 1970. Michael Jackson was just two years older than me at the time, and I (and millions of others) thought he was all that! Now if I only still had my brown suede fringe vest!
Had one in yellow that I inherited from my Dad. He gave it up when he got a stero system for the house, much to the chagrin of my Mom. ☺ Thanks for sharing and bringing back some great memories. Happy Sunday! ☺
I got one for my tenth birthday in 1970 - it was white and I think it came with a sheet of decals. Wow - what a blast from the past. And how crazy is it that I still know the lyrics to almost all the songs on that top 100 list? When I think of the modern-day things I can't seem to recall, it hardly seems right!
Ah yes, I remember those days - when Michael Jackson was black, and still had a nose! I don't remember the radio, but I remember space food sticks and Carnation Instant Breakfast!!
Gosh weren't the 70's fun. I was a kid and all I remeber is long hot summers, playing in the creek and no responsibility (I didnt even know what responsibility was then) I dont recall ever having such a cool radio as yours. Maybe radio wasnt invented in Australia then .....
I was telling my 7 year old class the things that they take for granted, and how many of those things were not around back then. Remember having to listen to radio because who had personal ipods? or watching what was on the 3 tv stations, not getting to choose a video or dvd...or get to be a friend with somebody on a blog.... :-}pokey
I had a total crush on Michael Jackson in the 80's. I still really love his music. I'm thinking about posting an FTF about him, but worry I'll get boo'ed off the blogosphere.
What a fun stroll down memory lane. Loved the Jackson five and all your great memories and your new old treasure.
Had one in yellow that I inherited from my Dad. He gave it up when he got a stero system for the house, much to the chagrin of my Mom. ☺ Thanks for sharing and bringing back some great memories. Happy Sunday! ☺
ReplyDeleteI got one for my tenth birthday in 1970 - it was white and I think it came with a sheet of decals. Wow - what a blast from the past. And how crazy is it that I still know the lyrics to almost all the songs on that top 100 list? When I think of the modern-day things I can't seem to recall, it hardly seems right!
ReplyDeleteIt must be a sign - this is the second blog that I've read today where someone found a transistor - I think I'm going to find one - I want one!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have approximately half of those top 100 on 45s. And now, after reading the list, "Gimme Dat Ding" is stuck in my head.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I remember those days - when Michael Jackson was black, and still had a nose! I don't remember the radio, but I remember space food sticks and Carnation Instant Breakfast!!
ReplyDeleteI still have my brown suede fringe vest! My sons took it over temporarily for costumes, etc. but now they've outgrown it too.
ReplyDeleteGosh weren't the 70's fun. I was a kid and all I remeber is long hot summers, playing in the creek and no responsibility (I didnt even know what responsibility was then) I dont recall ever having such a cool radio as yours. Maybe radio wasnt invented in Australia then .....
ReplyDeleteOh my I had one of those! What a blast from the past. We really thought we were cool with a radio. Now we all have our lap tops and IPhones. Crazy.
ReplyDeleteThe '70's sure were fun. I had no responsibilities and freedom.
ReplyDeleteOh my, how fun is that? :-) I've got the site to the top 100 of 1970 open for my listening enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteI was telling my 7 year old class the things that they take for granted, and how many of those things were not around back then. Remember having to listen to radio because who had personal ipods? or watching what was on the 3 tv stations, not getting to choose a video or dvd...or get to be a friend with somebody on a blog....
ReplyDelete:-}pokey
I had a total crush on Michael Jackson in the 80's. I still really love his music. I'm thinking about posting an FTF about him, but worry I'll get boo'ed off the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun stroll down memory lane. Loved the Jackson five and all your great memories and your new old treasure.
xo -E