1997 Time Machine
This isn’t a promo, and it’s not a curated nostalgia post. I'm sharing this across a dozen different places to gather what people actually remember from the summer of 1997—not general vibes, not playlists, but real, lived-in details. If you were too young, no worries- this if for people who remember what Be Kind, Rewind is for.
So think back:
What car did you or your family drive?
What song or movie hit harder than it should have?
Was there any local lore where you lived—urban legends, rumors, strange headlines?
And who—real or fictional—were you secretly obsessed with? (No judgment. But answer at your own risk.)
What do you actually remember?
Anything you share here might help shape R. P. Gage’s upcoming sci-fi novel set in small-town 1997. No proper names or identifiable specifics will be used. If you'd prefer not to have your reply inspire anything, just mark it accordingly.
If you need help jogging your memory, here’s a few facts from the time:
It was Peak Will Smith.
Not just Men in Black—he dropped the soundtrack too. 1997 was his year. Slap-free, drama-free, and chart-topping.
Bottled water became a thing.
Evian was status. Aberfoyle meant your parents read the science section. The rest of us drank hose water—warm plastic aftertaste and all.
There was a biker war in Quebec.
Real one. Bombings. Shootouts. Headlines that felt like GTA before GTA existed.
Backstreet wasn’t arriving. They were Back.
Yeah. That old.
What do you remember?
So think back:
What car did you or your family drive?
What song or movie hit harder than it should have?
Was there any local lore where you lived—urban legends, rumors, strange headlines?
And who—real or fictional—were you secretly obsessed with? (No judgment. But answer at your own risk.)
What do you actually remember?
Anything you share here might help shape R. P. Gage’s upcoming sci-fi novel set in small-town 1997. No proper names or identifiable specifics will be used. If you'd prefer not to have your reply inspire anything, just mark it accordingly.
If you need help jogging your memory, here’s a few facts from the time:
It was Peak Will Smith.
Not just Men in Black—he dropped the soundtrack too. 1997 was his year. Slap-free, drama-free, and chart-topping.
Bottled water became a thing.
Evian was status. Aberfoyle meant your parents read the science section. The rest of us drank hose water—warm plastic aftertaste and all.
There was a biker war in Quebec.
Real one. Bombings. Shootouts. Headlines that felt like GTA before GTA existed.
Backstreet wasn’t arriving. They were Back.
Yeah. That old.
What do you remember?
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message 1:
by
Juno Reads
(new)
Jun 30, 2025 11:36AM
I had an Eagle Talon. Most people won't even remember those.
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Drive-in, that's a memory right there. Used to go with my mom, rarely made it all the way through.
Remember, Evian was Status Thing, but thought that was silly. Never into bottled water since ours on Long Island was decent. Internet was dial-up, meaning if you were trying to use it, your phone line would be tied up for hours. Had just met my boyfriend, who became my husband in 1999. I turned 30 that year, so felt old. Was working as a Domestic Violence Advocate in Bay Shore, NY and then it was much more run down. Crack Epidemic huge crisis. Had a Rectangle where prostitutes/John’s walked around. The Women obviously had HIV which was not yet treatable. Would go to work and see someone passed out on the ground each morning. Although, this sounds really horrible, this was right near the Ferry that went over to Fire Island, which is still known as beautiful and exclusive area. Cherry Grove known as being part for Gay People, so effects of AIDS had taken a toll. Had big Dance Club there remember was fun for years. Often went to Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park. Drinking was done is greater excess back then. So, was smoking Liked Long Island Iced Teas. Had small apartment that was part of someone’s house that cost $600/month. We still listened to Tapes, both for Music and also VHS Tapes that usually would get on weekend at Blockbuster. DVD’s think just came out, but weren’t really available yet. Titanic remember going to see at big screen movie theater. Julia Roberts big actress at the time. Friends was very popular TV show. I loved ER then. Remember, buying Jones, NY Suits for Court. Still, had to wear Jacket w/Skirt. Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein Big Brands then. Think I wore Gunne Sax Dresses and Liked Brand The Limited and Inc. shopped mostly Gap and Macy’s. On-Line shopping wasn’t done hardly at all, Internet way too slow. Still, used Landline Phone. Usually, on weekend would go to the Movie Theater and liked Bowling. Lived near the Beach on the North Shore, so went there, but also over to South Shore, the Bay was there and my boyfriend had a Sail Boat, so could sail to Fire Island. Also, take car and drive over the Bridge to Robert Moses Ocean. I had gotten a Toyota Tercel. Crafts, getting Stamps and making Books with Pictures and Stamps remember popular. Michael’s and JoAnne’s still major stores to go to for this stuff. Ethan Allen still selling very high end furniture, although this was coming to an end.
