June-1972-interior

70’s Collection

It was the decade many of us wish we’d grown up in. Needless to say, some of those who did live through the 70s probably felt fortunate just to make it out the other side. It was a time in Australia when a younger generation was questioning attitudes towards, war, work, sex, drugs and the entire status quo in which they’d been raised. Rock music was in its prime and surfing was emerging as the ultimate counter-culture lifestyle choice. Tracks attempted to capture these colliding forces and give their exponents a voice in a single broadsheet publication.  Indeed, by virtue of the diversity of its articles and the irreverence of its tone by the end of the decade, Tracks had given surfers an identity that was at once informed, original and always a little ‘f&%k you!’

 

Some Tracks Mag Facts:

  • Counter-Culture Roots

    Started in October 1970, Tracks emerged from the 70s counter-culture, capturing rebellion, environmentalism, and a unique surfer identity that became the voice of the 70s counter-culture movement.

    Emerging during a period of significant social change in Australia, Tracks captured the spirit of a younger generation questioning the status quo, war, and societal norms. It provided a nexus for surfers interested in waves, travel, music, and alternative living.

  • Iconic Imagery + Innovative Format

    Tracks broke from the standard surf magazine format by being published as a broadsheet newspaper on newsprint, allowing for quicker turnaround times and more immediate coverage of current events and issues.

    The Tracks covers are known as "pop art," showcasing stellar photography and design, making them collectible "timestamps" of surf history.

  • The 70's Era

    Early 70s: More raw, tabloid feel, focusing on the emerging surf lifestyle and counter-culture.

    Mid-Late 70s: Professional surfing grew, but the magazine always balanced it with the everyday surfer's perspective.

    Specific Covers: Look for prints related to "Kirra," "Morning of the Earth," Mark Richards, and figures like Larry Bertlemann to see peak 70s Tracks art.