DiscoMusic.com » Disco 101 » History » Books On Disco That Are Worth A Read
Books On Disco That Are Worth A Read
A quick and dirty list of books on Disco along with recommendations
After doing a lengthy web search as well as use of Amazon, I ordered dozens of books. This is in random order as I pulled them one by one from my desk. My comments about the books are mine alone and reflect only how I felt.
So he here is my list and those to stay away from as I made a few mistakes:
***** Indicates my personal opinion - 5 is the best
1. Turn The Beat Around by Peter Shapiro
Just came out last year and is comprehensive and thorough in its discussion of the 70's. *****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
2. Looking for the Perfect Beat: The Art and Culture of the DJ by Kurt B. Reighley
Intersting read, but you can do better. ***
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
3. This Business Of Disco by Radcliffe Joe
He was my editor at Billboard when i wrote the Disco Mix column in the 1970s. Excellent and very well written. *****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
4. Discotheque by Steven Gaines
My mistake, a mystery book about disco. Don't buy
5. Saturday Night Forever by Alan Jones and Jussi Kanton
Not bad. Good articles, great color photos from clubs in the 70's. ****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
6. Hot Stuff - by John Manuel Andriote
Average read, but nicely done. ***
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
7. The Last Party: Studio 54, Disco, and the Culture of the Night by Anthony Haden-Guest
A must! great information! The ultimate story about studio Studio 54. *****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
8. The Disco Handbook by Bruce Pollack
A good attempt, but there are better. **
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
9. Thing Of Beauty by Stephen Fried
My mistake-about the supermodel Gia. Don't buy!
10. Disco by Roberta Morgan
Mostly about artists and some good disco material, but great color photos which make the book worthwhile. ****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
11. Love Saves The Day by Tim Lawrence
Well written and researched and a must! To become the most thorough book written so far on disco. *****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
12. Disco Dancing Tonight by Andy Blackford
Nicely done and once again great color photos. ****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
13. You Better Work! Underground Dance Music in New York City by Kai Fikentscher
Okay, but there are better. **
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
14. Disco Funk published by Hall/Leonard
My mistake a sheet music book for those who play musical instruments (how was I to know).
15. Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey by Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton
A classic. *****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
16. Disco Chic: All the Styles, Steps, and Places to Go by Sherrant and Leong
How to dress for clubs. Don't waste your money
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
17. Disco Inferno by Portwer Gibb
Okay, I got taken in by the title... fiction with a deceiving title. Don't tell the Trammps.
18. Long Live Disco published by Hal/Leonard
No! Unless you are a musician and read sheet music
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
19. My Life In The Paradise Garage by Mel Cheren
The story of his life and the garage- a personal insight into his life that you will find hard to put down. *****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
About the author:Barry Lederer is a former writer for Billboard's "Disco Mix" column during the 1970s as well as being a principal owner in Graebar Sound, which outfitted many top clubs in the 70s and 80s with critically acclaimed sound systems. He is still involved in dance music by way of the Dance Music Hall of Fame and regularly contributes articles and various commentary for DiscoMusic.com. You can find out more about him by reading this interview.
Submitted by Barry Lederer (7)
This Entry Needs Your Comment!
Leave a reply »
-
Oct 04, 08 | 10:14 pmDavid Diebold's "Tribal Rites" is an interesting book to read. It's main focus is the disco scene in San Francisco during heyday of disco. Many of the disco stars to come out of SF are interviewed. It is a hard to find book. A collectors item. Also has photos.
-
Aug 19, 08 | 7:19 pm
Dancer from the dance by Andrew Holleran
This is a beautiful poetic fiction novel that takes place in the damp caverns of Manhattan and Fire Island discotheques.
Talks about disco drugs all the time:
Coke
Speed (injecting) – one of the main characters Sutherland quips that reading the New York Times kills far more brain cells than speed and the narrator is surprised at Sutherland’s ability to get away with taking so much of it, he expects Sutherland would disintegrate before their eyes yet he always looks so healthy
Ludes
MDA (though not sure though it’s mentioned in this book, but this drug is definitely mentioned in Jack Fritscher’s Some dance to remember which focuses less on clubs though, and more on bodybuilding, leather culture)
Clubs:
It mentions Tenth Floor which is of course Twelfth floor (I’m not sure ,wasn’t there, I’m only 25)
Fire Island (I think it literally mentions the Sandpiper)
Songs that are mentioned
Patti Jo Make me believe in you
Zulema Giving up
….
-
Sep 06, 07 | 3:16 am
Barry -- Too bad you didn't have a musician friend check out the sheet music books. As a musician, I would have been interested to know how accurate the sheet music was to what was on the record, etc. I've been surprised at times to find out the way I heard it was not the way it was written. Otherwise a good listing.
Great list but I was surprised not to see Dancer From The Dance listed which is what I was looking for. I was thinking about it and so tapped in Top 10 Disco Books into Google and came across your list, which is, very helpful by the way.
I may well check out "Love Saves The Day" and "The Lat Party" on your recommendation. "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life" and "My Life In The Paradise Garage" are both essential in my humble opinion.
Thanks for the list!