Ladies and Gentlemen: It’s finally Summer!  So, consider this clip starring legendary actress and sex-goddess Raquel Welch performing the classic medley from Hair, “Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In” to be my official launch of what I hope will be a Summer of kick ass videos, as well as a salute to this being Pride Day here in NYC! Certainly there has never been a more appropriate time to open ourselves up to this song’s lyrical prophecy of “Harmony and understanding, Sympathy and trust abounding” etc etc. I’m sure you will agree.

But just where the Hell did this video come from, you may ask; and understandably so. A little bit of digging around on the Google reveals that this performance was originally filmed to endorse the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, believe it or not; though its very ‘70s variety-show-feel makes sense when you know that it eventually became part of Raquel! — a multimillion-dollar, made-for-TV song and dance extravaganza, starring Welch and many other uber-hot celebrities of that era.  Raquel!  was filmed in various exotic locations around the world, and aired on CBS in April of 1970. It’s all been immortalized on DVD somewhere, if you can find a copy.  Just in case you’re curious, the Signs of the Zodiac costumes were designed by Bob Mackie.

As a location for what could be called Raquel Goes to Burning Man, Teotihuacan never looked better, nor is there  a more appropriate setting for Raquel and company’s  obscure mystical rite (see if you can identify the solar and lunar pyramids)! Ah, the Seventies; creativity was so unrestrained in those days. It’s all pretty silly, but when you’re feeling it, who gives a shit?

Here’s another fun fact, though Raquel was occasional known to sing, here it’s actress and singer Tina Cole (My Three Sons, The King Family Show) who is actually singing most of the song, while Raquel expertly lip-syncs. Nevertheless, there is no denying that Raquel has the moves. Happy Gay Pride Everyone! Enjoy!