I turned 18 on March 17, 1975, and my sister Judy was already a dedicated Uncle Sam’s addict, so on Monday, June 30, 1975, she brought me to her favorite venue for the first time. (I keep a diary, you see…) Things were going fine, I was dancing with a harmless-looking guy named Ryan, when all of a sudden he said, “See you after the contest.” What contest? A wet T-shirt contest. Girls got up on stage in special T-shirts (probably promoting a radio station) and their underwear. Some guy (probably a DJ from U100) poured a pitcher of water on each. Applause for each, some were eliminated. Off go some of the T-shirts. Applause, applause, still no winner. Guys were standing on the bars and pool tables (did they have pool tables?) shouting “Beaver! Beaver!” I did not know what that meant. Off go some of the underwear, and presumably the prize was worth the attention. Or vice versa. I was mortified! And so mad at my sister for not warning me not to wear that halter top… I’m told there were about five of these, er, special programs held.
The photo below is not from the event I was lucky enough to witness. Yes, it is offensive and gross. Sometimes history hurts.
