SF street musicians looked a whole lot different in the 70s

Music is at the heart of this city's heritage, and the late 60s and 70s comprise its backbone. The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Janis Joplin performed regularly in public spaces, and often for free. This idea of San Francisco as a boundless stage radiated outward to the lesser-known musicians of the city, who took their acts outside.

There's nothing like the 70s in San Francisco to showcase the city in all its weirdness, and its oddities certainly spilled onto the sidewalks.

Street musicians, now largely spotted around the Powell Street BART station and Haight Street, seemingly took a classical turn in the 70s. A trumpet-tooting gorilla, a lonely violinist, and a bassoon player with a baby on her back are sights not often seen on the streets these days (although bongoes prove to have a lasting appeal).

The word "busker" comes from the Spanish buscar – to seek – and the people in these photos were certainly seeking something, whether a few bucks from passersby, local recognition, or just a makeshift stage from which to share their tunes. 

"Everybody's dancing and singing romance," crooned Janis Joplin in "Combination of the Two." She certainly embodied the spirit of the times.

Click through the above gallery to see San Francisco's street musicians of the 70s.

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.