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Books On Disco That Are Worth A Read

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. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


2. Looking For The Perfect Beat by Kurt B. Reighley
Intersting read, but you can do better. ***
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


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. *****


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. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


6. Hot Stuff-John by Manuel Andriote
Average read, but nicely done. ***

7. The Last Party by Anthony Haden-Guest
A must! great information! The ultimate story about studio Studio 54. *****

8. The Disco Handbook by Bruce Pollack
A good attempt, but there are better. **

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. ****

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. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


12. Disco Dancing Tonight by Andy Blackford
Nicely done and once again great color photos. ****

13. You Better Work by Kai Fikentscher
Okay, but there are better. **

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 Like by Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton
A classic. *****
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


16. Disco Chic by Sherrant and Leong
How to dress for clubs. Don't waste your money

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

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. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


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.

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