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Saturday Night Forever: The History of Disco
Alan Jones and Jussi Kantonen
Acappella Books (US) / 2000 /
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Soft cover book with color and B/W photos
Saturday Night Forever: The Story of Disco
By Alan Jones & Jussi Kantonen (A Cappella Books)
The best selling book on Disco music, fashion and culture is back in a new and expanded edition. The first edition was one of the first books on Disco music and the authors have added to the original work with an appendix of Disco Essentials, a guide to Disco drugs and the long awaited index so one can easily find facts, artists and song titles . Includes color photos, top Disco songs list and bios on several Disco artists and groups including Alec R. Costandinos, Cerrone, Boris Midney and more. It's very informative and an enjoyable read. CLICK HERE to order your copy. All New Second Revised Edition.
Editorial Reviews
Village Voice
"Jones and Kantonen capture the garishly costumed heestory of deesco in all its everything's-allowed glory. I've spent years praying on a battlestar for more music critics who can appreciate the genius of Santa Esmeralda, Boney M, and Alec Costandinos and the Syncophonic Orchestra's version of 'Romeo and Juliet', and these guys tell you more about all of the above than you ever imagined possible. I would 'push push in their bush' any day."
The Independent
"Sexy, funny, and fact-packed, this book is irresistible." -The Independent
Jon Savage, Mojo
"an almost immaculate document of a moment of 'total hedonistic excess,' and strongly recommended to lovers of life everywhere"
EXCERPT FROM "FEVER KITSCH" by Colin Paterson published in the Scottish Sunday Herald.
Two Disco devotees, Alan Jones and Jussi Kantonen - better known as the man who deejayed for the Sex Pistols and 1979 Latin Hustle Champion of Finland respectively - have decided enough is enough. In their new book they have set out to tell their side of the Disco story starting in 1973 and ending in 1982 with the Boystown Gang's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", the last orchestral Disco track. Their aim is to emphasise the music and in doing so call for a true critical reappraisal of acts such as Giorgio Moroder, The Ritchie Family and Amanda Lear.
"It's quality music, played by huge orchestras and sung by fantastic singers. Many, such as Jocelyn Brown, are still around", says Jones. "Through Disco, Jussi and I shared the same experiences. We bought the same albums and danced to the same dance steps although we were both from different countries and lifestyle cultures. I liked the Pistols' music but I liked Disco much more. Disco was rebel music as well. It changed a lot of attitudes. We deliberately didn't want to interview the people we discuss in the book because we didn't want that kind of reality coming into it. It's only definitive from our points of view."
Book Description
During the 1970s disco was the sound track to the lives of millions. Its hedonism, drive, and sweet, catchy melodies made dancers worldwide experience the bliss of complete abandon. This book traces its entire history, from the underground dives of New York to the glittering clubs of Rome. Along the way, the book provides instruction on how to do the hustle and the bus stop; explains the gay subculture central to disco; explores disco fashions, movies, clubs, and drugs; and tells the fascinating stories behind not only the American hits but the Eurodisco masterpieces, the soft-porn divas, and the mysterious producers behind the shimmering sound.
About the Authors
Alan Jones is a film-fueled freelance journalist. He has written for Vogue and The Arena. Jussi Kantonen is an architect, disco deejay, and former Latin Hustle Dance Champion of Finland.
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Submitted by DiscoMusic.com (3698)
Basically, this is the Paradise Lost of disco books. You can't do without it. It's funny, scholarly and it has attitude. It's great fun to dip in, find a reference to an obscure gem (eg USA-European Connection), then go and download it off the web. All we need now is for Jones & Kantonen to start curating a series of CD compilations and we'd really be in business. And now with an index??? Oh rapture.