How did DISCO RADIO STATIONS all fizzle by fall of 79 (couldnt all be Steve Dahl)?!

[Billy72]

I don't know how many metropolitan cities had Disco radio, but I'D LOVE TO HEAR from you if there were anymore cities besides Chicago and NYC that had em in the late 70s. HOWEVER, my QUESTION regards how in the world did Dahl's Baseball event (in July 79) destroy a whole friggin empire with corporate earnings out the wazoo.

I read that NYC's Disco station ended around Sept. 79. I know there were plenty of club hopping, party people in NYC past 1979 who still loved Disco. Also, the Disco charts morphed into a more R & B sound in 80, 81, 82, and even 83 with PLENTY of songs to groove too; AND continue a radio station.

Any possible theories would be appreciated. I always come back and read them, if you can't already tell the subject really interests me :)

[Bernie]

Welcome to the DiscoMusic.com forums!

Regarding Disco radio stations, there were many of them outside of the major cities. I recall a "Disco 95" out of Springfield, MA while traveling and several college radio stations playing Disco the most notable being Seton Hall University's WSOU 89.5 out of New Jersey. I'm sure there were others.

I lived in the New York City area and Disco radio via WKTU's "Disco 92" was alive and well into the mid 1980s, although they dropped the "Disco 92" name around 1980.

Why did many Disco radio stations disappear? Over-saturation really and the changing tastes of listeners.

Now on to an area that drives me nuts: Steve Dahl did NOT kill Disco or Disco radio anywhere!!! I was around during the time and on NYC TV it was barely mentioned and when it was, it was treated like the absurdity that it was and for only a few moments during the sports portion of the newscast. No one paid any attention to this event. It's only been in recent years that someone on the internet (who probably wasn't around back then) has taken liberties with the truth and revised this nonsense to be something bigger than what it really was.

[garrybcoston]

I don't know how many metropolitan cities had Disco radio, but I'D LOVE TO HEAR from you if there were anymore cities besides Chicago and NYC that had em in the late 70s. HOWEVER, my QUESTION regards how in the world did Dahl's Baseball event (in July 79) destroy a whole friggin empire with corporate earnings out the wazoo.

I read that NYC's Disco station ended around Sept. 79. I know there were plenty of club hopping, party people in NYC past 1979 who still loved Disco. Also, the Disco charts morphed into a more R & B sound in 80, 81, 82, and even 83 with PLENTY of songs to groove too; AND continue a radio station.

Any possible theories would be appreciated. I always come back and read them, if you can't already tell the subject really interests me :)

Hi Billy, Garry here.

I will give you my take and this is fact, not theory; I and others in this forum were there in the flesh.

We have covered a portion of this subject in other threads relative to the death of disco and how it died. In early 1979 the whole disco "thing" kind of got rediculous, especially on the music side as record labels, producers, etc. began to crank out any and all types of disco similar to a commercial assembly line; and some of it was just totally silly. You would have had to be there to really understand. Disco totally reigned supreme, not just the music, but in all disco was it consumed the whole world culture. Disco was so all consuming, and I don't care what anyone says, it almost killed off other music genres like rock, funk, R&B, and even the jazz and classical music labels and stations suffered. Everything during that time, from about 1974 until the end of 1979 was disco and disco consumed anything and everything such as clothing, fashion, hairdo's, music, commercials, theater, radio stations, it even affected the overall sound of all types of music during the period and the other music genres had no choice but to sound like disco; to not do so was suicide. In fact the whole world, not just America, ate, slept, breathed and crapped disco; so there was a lot of sour grapes out there amongst the fans and "powers that be" of the other music genres; but the rock and rollers probably took it more hard than anyone else. I remember friends of mine who loved rock and roll (and so did I but I jumped totally over to disco) and I tried to get them to go to the clubs and listen to disco music and they would absolutely refuse and hated it, most of them for no valid or sane reason whatsoever, they would just say they hated it, it was silly, too repetitious (which was the first and most popular reason for hating it), and another reason was that it was gay or faggoty. Anyway, I suspect sour grapes played a large part, and the rock and roll powers that be, who possibly lost quite a lot of money to disco, jumped on the bandwagon with Dahl when Dahl entertained the thought and opportunity of staging a "disco sucks" rally in Chicago.

I was living in Jacksonville Florida, which was a mid-sized market at the time and they had one disco radio station. I had numerous friends (I was in the Navy then) who were from different parts of the country and each of them stated that the major cities in their state had a disco radio station or two or more. All in all the majority of the major cities had disco radio stations (i.e. Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, New York (of course), Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and I could go on and on).

The disco radio stations held up pretty good up until the Steve Dahl Debacle in Chicago (I think July of 1979); then it was a major disco market crash immediately after that. Disco was already on the decline but if I remember correctly, the producers and labels were devising ways to prop it up. Media and market blitzes against disco raged across the country; everything was against disco and it got to the point where you were either afraid or ashamed to love disco. The disco radio station in Jacksonville, and I can't remember the call letters, folded in mid September 1979. There was no indication that it was even changing until about a week before. They kept stating "stay tuned for the big change." We all thought it was something better or a new kind of disco; they changed to a heavy metal format (which was totally opposite from disco at the time). I later found out that this was the norm all across the country. Most of the disco radio stations around the country changed to either a rock or heavy metal format after their change.

The advertisements for discos and nightclubs on the disco radio station in Jacksonville continued about a month or more after "the change," and I guess this had to be in order for the station to complete its contractural agreements and commitments.

All in all, it just was an extremely sad screwed up time for us all. It was a sucker punch in the face of disco and in our faces which knocked us out for quite a long time, and disco was immediately killed and out for the count, that is, the disco that we all remember (fad, music, etc.). Many disco record producers, labels, writers, lyricists, entertainers, artists, and musicians suffered heavily beginning late 1979 and thereafter. I am sure they all recovered, held their head high, and moved on proudly, but Steve Dahl, and other parties and accomplices who helped to scheme this murder probably don't even have a clue as to what they really truly did in contributing to diminish or kill disco. I would imagine, as Bernie pointed out, that it took a much longer time for disco to disappear in the much larger cities like New York. However, many people (Record Producers, Musicians, Record Executives, and others who depended heavily on disco for their livelihood), lost their jobs, livelihood, homes, etc. because of the change in taste and style of music, and the "kill disco" and "disco sucks" anti disco marketing ploy (in my opinion, because everything still hummed along until after that rally).

Anyway, we've all moved on. The happy part is, though they may have contributed to killing the fad and everything else associated with the music, they were not successful in killing disco music; it (disco) evolved into another type of disco called dance, and later branched off into three or four different types of dance music genres (house, garage, trance, industrial). In addition the disco that we loved has begun to reappear, slowly but surely, and even old disco songs and albums from the 70's are also being played, puchased, etc. by the general public and clubs.

So this is my take. Sorry I was so long winded but didn't want to leave anything out (I know I did), and wanted you to get a good, vivid picture in your mind of how I viewed the whole thing. Hope this helped.

Garry

[Billy72]

Wow, awesome information guys! You both gave me alot of info I don't think I could have found anywhere on the net.

Bernie, you mentioned how disco had taken over all genres of music, and how the rock fans were especially upset by this. You know, this is something that I've read before and know; however, the way you explained it really broadened my awareness of how really big disco had become. You also mentioned that Dahl didnt kill Disco; that NYC disco station continued on, just calling itself something other than disco. Now, that sounds like what I thought would have happened in a city like NYC which thrives on club life. You mentioned Disco stations in smaller cities like Springfield, Mass. Damn, I would have never thought that a disco station (any dance station) could have been found outside a metropolitan area!

Gary, you werent too long winded, I loved all the info. You also mentioned Disco stations in smaller areas, like Jacksonville! Gaud, never would have thought it. I enjoyed hearing about 'the sucker punch' emotions you and others went through. Thats personal stuff you don't get from papers or reports. You also broadened my notion of how much disco really affected everything, fashions, hairdo's etc. The whole 'gay sound' that rock n roll buddies of mine cant get out of their head, I IDENTIFY. I see Disco as hot, romantic; and when I here Donna Summer or Diana sing about WHAT THEY WANT; it drives me wild. Ironically, from the summer of 79' I'm thinking of THE BOSS. Gaud, the vocals and sound of this one, so hot.

I'm gonna have to go back and re-read these posts, alot to glean from, thanks.

ONE QUESTION though: I've always wondered; with the way the 'disco machine' (record making) was putting out disco records up till mid 79, how come in the fall of 79' (looking back at the top 40 charts) you see a blatant attempt to 'cut off' the disco sound. Top 40 radio was even playing crappy songs by artists who were good in the 60s, but were now putting out absolutely horrible material (one example: Bob Dylan "gotta serve somebody"). HAVING SAID THIS; I've always wondered how many songs in late 79' were TOSSED ASIDE and we never got to here. IS THAT POSSIBLE? Could there be 50 awesome songs (or so) that were ready for market which got tossed aside, and we never heard? Or did the clubs pick em ALL up?

I've already mentioned that I love 1980 (as well as the late 70s). The light rock (so called) sound. Awesome duets: ANYBODY REMEMBER this rare one "Let me go, love" Michael Mcdonald/Nicolette Larson; OR "Suddenly" Olivia Newton J/Cliff Richard: Gaud, the hot, steamy romance of these kinda songs!

Country was in its slick and pop heyday, since the late 70s that is (like Crystal Gayle, Kenny Rogers, Ronny Milsap, Anne Murray), and it seemed that in 80' some of the BEST disco songs (IMO) were released. "Love Sensation", "On the Radio", "I never knew love like this before", "Take the time do it right", "the beat goes on", "Do you love what you feel", and ANDY GIBB's "Desire" (which charted well disspelling the notion that The Beegees sound wasnt tolerated on radio by this time).
So maybe these were some of the 79 leftovers, I dont know???

[garrybcoston]

Wow, awesome information guys! You both gave me alot of info I don't think I could have found anywhere on the net.

Bernie, you mentioned how disco had taken over all genres of music, and how the rock fans were especially upset by this. You know, this is something that I've read before and know; however, the way you explained it really broadened my awareness of how really big disco had become. You also mentioned that Dahl didnt kill Disco; that NYC disco station continued on, just calling itself something other than disco. Now, that sounds like what I thought would have happened in a city like NYC which thrives on club life. You mentioned Disco stations in smaller cities like Springfield, Mass. Damn, I would have never thought that a disco station (any dance station) could have been found outside a metropolitan area!

Gary, you werent too long winded, I loved all the info. You also mentioned Disco stations in smaller areas, like Jacksonville! Gaud, never would have thought it. I enjoyed hearing about 'the sucker punch' emotions you and others went through. Thats personal stuff you don't get from papers or reports. You also broadened my notion of how much disco really affected everything, fashions, hairdo's etc. The whole 'gay sound' that rock n roll buddies of mine cant get out of their head, I IDENTIFY. I see Disco as hot, romantic; and when I here Donna Summer or Diana sing about WHAT THEY WANT; it drives me wild. Ironically, from the summer of 79' I'm thinking of THE BOSS. Gaud, the vocals and sound of this one, so hot.

I'm gonna have to go back and re-read these posts, alot to glean from, thanks.

ONE QUESTION though: I've always wondered; with the way the 'disco machine' (record making) was putting out disco records up till mid 79, how come in the fall of 79' (looking back at the top 40 charts) you see a blatant attempt to 'cut off' the disco sound. Top 40 radio was even playing crappy songs by artists who were good in the 60s, but were now putting out absolutely horrible material (one example: Bob Dylan "gotta serve somebody"). HAVING SAID THIS; I've always wondered how many songs in late 79' were TOSSED ASIDE and we never got to here. IS THAT POSSIBLE? Could there be 50 awesome songs (or so) that were ready for market which got tossed aside, and we never heard? Or did the clubs pick em ALL up?

I've already mentioned that I love 1980 (as well as the late 70s). The light rock (so called) sound. Awesome duets: ANYBODY REMEMBER this rare one "Let me go, love" Michael Mcdonald/Nicolette Larson; OR "Suddenly" Olivia Newton J/Cliff Richard: Gaud, the hot, steamy romance of these kinda songs!

Country was in its slick and pop heyday, since the late 70s that is (like Crystal Gayle, Kenny Rogers, Ronny Milsap, Anne Murray), and it seemed that in 80' some of the BEST disco songs (IMO) were released. "Love Sensation", "On the Radio", "I never knew love like this before", "Take the time do it right", "the beat goes on", "Do you love what you feel", and ANDY GIBB's "Desire" (which charted well disspelling the notion that The Beegees sound wasnt tolerated on radio by this time).
So maybe these were some of the 79 leftovers, I dont know???

Thanks Billy. Hope you gained something from our posts and learned even more.

You are right; I'll bet there were songs and albums put on the shelf around mid to late 1979 that never got heard. I don't know if we can find this out, but I'll sniff around.

Yes, disco was larger than life. It consumed almost everything during that era. It was truly a magical time, and I am sure Bernie will agree that New York City "set the tone." You mentioned September of 1979 as a time when a lot of the clubs in New York and radio stations changed their names and formats. If New York does it, it's gotta be right; and the whole world followed suit for the exception maybe of the Europeans. They have always been so much more in tune with things than America.

The reason why the plug was basically pulled in late "79" was because of Dahl's marketing ploy (anti-disco campaign), and people, disco people that is, after seeing this, felt that the party was over and it was time to move on. A new decade (1980's) was dawning and many felt it was time for a change, and maybe Dahl was right. Many discoers went back to their original music they loved before disco, but would still frequent the clubs. Me, I was trying to find myself in 1980, music-wise that is. Everything musical changed, disco was phased out more and more in favor of a leaner sound, without the orchestrations and lush compositions. 1980 saw more disco records come out, but they were few and far between. By the spring of 1981 the sound of the British Invasion took the place of disco on the radio, and disco, by that time, was stuffed back in the closet, the name "disco" was even halted in Billboard and other music magazines.

Yeah it was a magical, romantic time, but 1979 and 1980 are years I would love to forget; I survived but we lost something that we knew we might never again gain or experience; at least not like it was.

Garry

[Billy72]

Thanks Gary. So what about the club scene in the early 80s (I'm talkin 80-81), you were there in the TOP U.S. place man, NYC. I've got another post on this, you know, wondering if all the great black R & B actually hit the 'mixed' or white clubs (so to speak). You know, all the R & B great stuff that was pumping out at the time, check the post.

Also, it's kinda trivial for some not so into exact time periods; but since you were there; in 80, 81, were there still re-plays (spins) of ANY hits from the 70s Disco era? If not, when do you remember that stopping?
Great to talk to someone who was there; maybe Bernie might pine in as well (or someone else).

BTW, I mentioned this on another post to someone; but the actual 'DISCO CHART' was called such until sometime in 1985.

[Mixmachine]

In Miami , Florida in the 80's Radio Stations still played Disco and Dance music, and the R&B Stations still played Funk ---which was still available by the way-- plus another type of music locally known as 'Miami Bass', which was heavily used in Black clubs and Teen Discos -- this music was related to early rap-- some of this genre's hit titles crossed over to other clubs.

As a matter of fact, it was in the 80's that local radio stations began to broadcast for the first time ever Live shows directly from the Discotheques, exposing the locals to current club music and mixing Djs.

One such Radio Station was bilingual station 'Super Q', their format included Latin dance music (Salsa) old school Disco, Italo-Disco and many current club hits, they were immensely popular and all the best clubs of the day advertised here in this station, their "Discoteca al aire" (Live Discotheque) show was very popular and influential, (helping to make huge hits of certain records including Imports) even making local club Djs a household name.

Another local Stations ---that also played Disco in the late 70's-- began to compete with Super Q in the early 80's, this was station Power 96, they went heavy into "Freestyle" (and some Bass) and their "Disco Lunch Mix" was a huge success, (They still used the word Disco!!) making local Stars of the (club) Djs that worked for the Stations creating this (edits) mixes, (many times the Djs spun Live at the station too), local clubs were always interested and eager to host Power 96's shows, --transmitted live from local Discos--, as they used to pack the place with their Radio fans.

There was plenty of great Club dance music in the 80-82 period, --- I certainly spent a fortune buying great records I didn't get at the Record pool --- before British techno and mid 80's "Freestyle" arrived, as a matter of fact this period's music is one of my favorites, I used to call it Lite-Funk, lots of small records labels cranking out nice groovy funky records that kept local dance floors packed.

Also in Miami during this time (early 80's) Italo-Disco was huge, and this music was not played on "regular" Radio (good thing), for club Djs this was an exiting time, you had to be on your toes to keep up with all the Imports, many of this records were great and still had enough of that sugary sound of the past that resembled "Disco".

As you can see, in my experience Steve Dahl’s BS campaign never put a dent in my style or anyone else down here!! I didn’t even know of him until the Net came along a few years back.( the only effect I recall was the change from ‘Disco’ to ‘Dance’ labeling on records and maybe a slowdown in product from major labels only)

In the 80’s Miami had more clubs of all kinds than ever, the music was not pure “Disco” as before, --that euro Disco beat was even getting tired for me by now anyways--- but we kept the party going with fresh music and new styles, nothing changed for us down here because of what some Hippie Rock head from Chicago did. :icon_mrgreen:

[garrybcoston]

I was in Jacksonville up until 1982 and they continued playing some of the old 70's disco records into about late 1980, after that it was over.

The dance music that was put out in 1980 and on were composed entirely by keyboards and synths, and this set the tone for the entire decade of the 1980's. A lot of new Funk and R&B danceable music suddenly came out of the closet and was mixed in with the regular dance music. Artists like Patrice Rushen, Rick James, Kool and the Gang, Gap Band, Anita Ward, etc. begin to be mixed in with the dance music.

In the smaller markets the spinning of old disco tunes stopped about early 1980 and was completely phased out by the end of that year; the Bigger markets, and the markets which actually produced disco like Miami, New York, Philadelphia, etc., probably continued on with the disco name and music into the early to mid 1980's. Bernie and Mixmachine might be able to expound more on this as they were in the bigger markets.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I remember the disco name going away much earlier than that, but you are probably right, unless it was not billboard.

Garry:icon_smile:

[markydefad]

In San Francisco, as I remember it....in the fall of 1979--after "My Sharona" topped the Pop charts for numerous weeks....DISCO and ONLY DISCO stations changed their formats...some of these were relatively new to the genre...my beloved soft rock station [KCBS-I think] that I listened to religiously that played James Taylor/Joni Mitchell/Bonnie Raitt/Carole King/Jackson Browne/ Eagles/Linda Ronstadt/Fleetwood Mac/Joan Armatrading/Phoebe Snow...etc....but only the "mellow" tracks...changed to full on 24/7 DISCO in late 1978---by the fall of 1979, it dropped that format. :icon_eek:

KSFX had always been the soul station and played the urban side of disco--I think they stayed with it..since the new music being released was exactly in their genre.

Then came New Wave.

But after 1980--you could only hear Pop & R&B disco on the radio in San Francisco...we still danced at Trocadero--but the music that was popular--Lime/Cut Glass/Vivien Vee/Sylvester/Patrick Cowley/Tantra did not cross over to radio--for the most part...it was now "underground" dance music--known only to people who went to clubs.

That's how I remember it in SF.

[Billy72]

What can I say; speechless...I love these posts; simply because yall actually 'tack' the time period down (like saying early 80 or late 80), thats puts such a picture in my mind.

Mixmachine, I am damn suprised, man. I NEVER knew there were any stations beyond like 80' (so I was supposing) that were still spinning some old school disco with the new. I'm not sure who it was (have to check) on another post (maybe you) talking to me about the Miami scene. I know Southbeach is hot now (and has been for years), but little did I know. I also know that Barry Gibb (my fav. song writer BTW) resides (or did) in Miami.
So you really like the 80-82 period too? I have another post, that didnt fair to well on responses about this topic. I love this R & B period, reminds me of watching Soul Train on Sat. afternoon; that is when I hear songs like "Somebody's Else's Guy", "Do You Love what you Feel" (Gaud, can't top Rufus & Chaka), oh gotta mention Chaka's 82' song "Aint Nobody" (damn, it grooves). The thing I like about this period was that it STILL RELATED somewhat to old school disco soundwize (without the strings), and GAUD the vocals! Enough said.

Hey Marky, I enjoyed those comments about Frisco, man. You know (I dont know how yall feel but) personally songs like My Sharona, Video Killed the Radio Star, B 52's stuff, and 'M' Pop Music (all from later part of 79') are some of the most annoying songs; don't see how they kicked Disco radio off the air; but I believe you, that New Wave sound did play a role didnt it. I'm not slamming all New Wave (in the least), I think Gary Numan, David Bowie, The Cars, etc. were some great New Wave, when I'm in the mood for it, I gotta be in that dark, introspective kinda mood lol; Well, not The Cars though, pretty light hearted cruisin stuff.

Great to hear from all yall, and again from Gary. THAT WAS good info man; I really was wondering when LOCAL radio stations stopped the old disco songs.

[garrybcoston]

Glad to help you Billy with DISCO 101.

Just remember, 1980 was a pivotal year of change for the entire music industry. The album "Change," which featured Luther Vandross was right on time (1980) as a lot of artists, record labels, producers, and even musicians went through a "hard change," shock, and "caught with your drawers down" syndrome during that year. From very late 1979 on the music industry was just trying to survive and find itself. By mid 1981 everything had sorted itself out.

Being a musician I was always into all types of music, but when disco came around it caught me by storm, being that I also loved to score with women, loved to dance, and the music just swept me off my feet; add to that the fashion, disco on the radio, etc., and it was just what the Doctor ordered.

Yeah R&B and Funk came around or resurfaced and tried to fill the void, here in America, that was left by disco. I and others adjusted and accepted this change, and also the new sounding disco, that by the way went underground but was minus the violins, violas, congas, percussion, all of the old skool instruments that are slowly coming back into vogue. Then came the British Invasion with many British Artists scoring big on the top 10 in America and the world. When this happened even dance music changed with that "British sounding" edge (the pop on the 2nd and 4th beat), bass, and everything else done on keys and synths).

When the British invasion took hold (and the first song I remember that told me that this new sound would be the thing for the next few years was Hall and Oates "I can't go for that" (Circa 1981)) I embraced it, but I kept my old vinyl disco albums for 13 years or more until they were stolen (I had about 200 of those); I also played those albums often during the whole time I still had them. If I had kept them I probably would be rich by now because I had some albums that you can't even order or hear anymore. So I took on to the new pop sound of the 80's and the dress and fashion that went with it (broad shouldered shirts, coats, etc.).

New Wave came in shortly before disco exited, but it really didn't play a prime role of booting disco out of the way, and, it never really caught on to the majority of the masses. Remember, new wave did not last long (a few years in to the early 80's?). The record labels, producers, etc. saw the British invasion (pop music) as the next money maker and trend for the 80's. New Wave, along with Funk, R&B, Funk Disco, etc. were "fill in's," I believe, to see whether the public would bite and to see whether these were the next trends or fads for the 80's. It didn't work; New Wave was a little successful for a short time, but New Wave, along with Funk and R&B, just didn't fill that void, though Funk and R&B were more successful.

I liked New Wave too (Cars, Blondie, Devo, B-52's, Talking Heads); but I soon ditched this for the new pop sound that the British introduced during that time.

Though it left out some important points (in which Bernie, I and others iterated), wikipedia tells a good, not superb story of disco's rise and fall. (See Disco - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

I love talking about this stuff but sometimes it brings back mixed emotions; great stuff.

Garry:icon_lol:

[discoboy2008]

I think the religious revival and conservative reaction that occurred in late 1979 also had a lot to do with the demise of disco. People in the mid-west who were anti-gay and anti-black and other minorities saw disco as a threat to "traditional" ways. While in the 1970's people had in general not been very religious ... A lot of people suddenly became born-again Christians in the early 1980's.. even disco stars such as Gloria Gaynor and Donna Summer who were suddenly ashamed of their "evil" disco past.

I have heard numerous stories from people who were called "faggot" or "faggy" for even being suspected of liking disco. People were literally terrorized into hiding their feelings about liking disco music because of the rampant homophobia that seemed to spread around the country (sort of like the religious revival we experienced recently after 9/11 and the gay marriage nonsense).

I also have read newspaper articles from 1979-1980 about how racist and homophobic society was becoming. The whole rock/punk/new wave movement was racist and even artists who released rock albums (which virtually ever major former disco artist did) like Donna Summer were denied air time on the radio because she was black... MTV for a long time refused to play any videos with black artists.. and most of them were not doing disco.. television shows with black casts suddenly disappeared from television (Good Times, What's Happening?, etc.) and the only one that remained (The Jeffersons) was totally restructured to remove all references to racism or the realities of problems faced by real black people. To top it off, television stations around the country ran an extremely homophobic so-called documentary around the country, which only inflamed the anti-gay feeling in the country.. as one newspaper writer said at the end of 1980, "it was a good year for those who were white, straight, Christian and/or rich" but for everyone else it was a year best forgotten.

I suspect the hostage crisis in Iran, late in 1979, may have contributed to the religious/conservative revival... just as 9/11 did recently.

Interestingly, the Great Depression, in the latter part of 1930, also ushered in religious/conservative backlash against the liberal dance club life of the 1920's. Gay clubs (then known as "pansy clubs") were shut down and many prominent gay people were forced to arranged marriages of convenience or retire (e.g. the movie actors Ramon Novarro and William Haines, who openly lived with his lover, were both fired for refusing to marry a woman to hide their sexuality) and the police began to send out undercover male cops (young attractive ones) and pretend to be gay and once they were propositioned they would arrest the gay man.. race relations also suffered, whereas in the 1920's blacks and whites would often be seen together in clubs, etc. that all ended in the 1930's when a new form of improvised music called swing (played in small bands without strings) was developed which was not very danceable.. As a matter of fact, we wouldn't have any real dance music until the 1970's (I guess people don't like to dance during conservative periods, i.e. 1940's--1950's)

An interesting note is that disco balls were actually invented in the 1920's. I saw them in the nightclub of a 1927 German film The film in on google Video at: (you can see the disco balls at 59:01 ignore the modern soundtrack, the film was originally silent and the person who uploaded it put the wrong date on the film)

Berlin 1930

By the way, the same xenophobic attitude to "illegals" we have seen recently happened in the 1930's when large numbers of Mexicans were deported... seems like people tend to act pretty much in the same ways. They deported such huge numbers that a "Bracero" program had to be instituted in the 1940's because once the economy recovered from the Depression, no one could be found to do low-skilled jobs such as farm labor. How ironic that people today are doing the same thing again ... seems like when any misfortune happens it brings out the worst in most people

[garrybcoston]

Hmmm Discoboy; never looked at that part or section as one of the reasons why disco went away, that is, the race thing and color card; you could be right but I do have some doubts.

I do know that those that were against disco were mostly white rockers, and later (toward 1979) punkers, and new wave as you say. The blacks, gays, hispanics, and whites who were cool and open minded without the race stigma were the ones that loved and revered disco; so though I have some doubts about this there is another part of me that is totally open and receptive to this theory because of the sectionalization of the music industry and music in general after disco was gone.

It's funny though that this country, in majority and large part, was basically to blame for disco's demise; the disco bashing, etc. started in America. It never surfaced overseas and really didn't spread to the other countries until it was clear that disco was on the way out in America; so......whatever happens in America, and this was especially true 30 years or more ago, the rest of the world follows suit, especially when it came to music. So America kills disco and the rest of the world says, oh well, that's it for disco.

Kind of sad how we build things up and tear them down in this country; not only music but people as well.

But the race thing could be true. I don't know whether it is totally true and I would not go out on a limb and say that the race thing was "THE ONLY" thing that killed disco, but it could have contributed largely to disco's demise.

Garry:icon_confused:

[discophil]

In San Francisco, as I remember it....in the fall of 1979--after "My Sharona" topped the Pop charts for numerous weeks....DISCO and ONLY DISCO stations changed their formats...some of these were relatively new to the genre...my beloved soft rock station [KCBS-I think] that I listened to religiously that played James Taylor/Joni Mitchell/Bonnie Raitt/Carole King/Jackson Browne/ Eagles/Linda Ronstadt/Fleetwood Mac/Joan Armatrading/Phoebe Snow...etc....but only the "mellow" tracks...changed to full on 24/7 DISCO in late 1978---by the fall of 1979, it dropped that format. :icon_eek:

KSFX had always been the soul station and played the urban side of disco--I think they stayed with it..since the new music being released was exactly in their genre.

Then came New Wave.

But after 1980--you could only hear Pop & R&B disco on the radio in San Francisco...we still danced at Trocadero--but the music that was popular--Lime/Cut Glass/Vivien Vee/Sylvester/Patrick Cowley/Tantra did not cross over to radio--for the most part...it was now "underground" dance music--known only to people who went to clubs.

That's how I remember it in SF.

I was in SF in the 70s and 80s as well. This is close to how I remember it, too. KSFX (tagline was "The Beat of the Bay!") was the 100% disco station that I listened to. My memory of the change in format came sometime in the Spring of 1980. Once an hour they would insert Kiss' "Beth" which would totally disrupt the mood. That's when I started to suspect something was wrong. By Fall, I think it was, KSFX changed format and it was either right then, or soon afterwards, became a total hardrock station. I was crushed.

I then had to go AM and tune into 1310 KDIA. They played from the Soul, R&B charts mostly, which included disco/dance tunes.

It was a very depressing time.

[Billy72]

Very interesting posts from all of you. I really enjoyed all the historical perspective between the great depression changing the roaring 20s and the issues during the disco era. Always love hearing personal stories of what they saw, as yall gave.

I remember when The Britsh New Wave sound hit radio around April 1982. The Human League's hit "Don't you want me" attributed alot to that. Before radio stations were either album rock, adult contemporary, or pop top 40 (which was Olivia Newton John, Air Supply, Journey etc). In april 1982 a new station started playing Devo, Human League, Asia (all the MTV material); and later in 82 came Duran Duran, Men at Work, ABC, Thompson Twins etc.

.

[discophil]

I remember when The Britsh New Wave sound hit radio around April 1982. The Human League's hit "Don't you want me" attributed alot to that. Before radio stations were either album rock, adult contemporary, or pop top 40 (which was Olivia Newton John, Air Supply, Journey etc). In april 1982 a new station started playing Devo, Human League, Asia (all the MTV material); and later in 82 came Duran Duran, Men at Work, ABC, Thompson Twins etc.

.

That reminds me....

You know the group La Flavour? The folks who brought us that fantastic tune "Mandolay"? They had another song on that album titled, "Can't Kill The Beat." It was a GREAT tune regarding the supposed "death" of disco. One of the lyrics says (from memory so I might not get it exactly right!),

They say that Disco is dead.
They say it's bad for your head.
They say we've all gone New Wave
Music is saved.

Man, that's exactly what it was like, wasn't it?

[Billy72]

The name La Flavour sound kinda familiar, but I don't know the song. I may have heard one of their tunes on XM and seen the name or something.

Yeah it sounds like the times alight. You know whats really funny, when 'punk rockers' said Disco Sucks; man, its hard to find a punk rock song where more than three chords are played lol. I can't stand punk rock it's way too repetitive. Same goes for lots of modern dance music imo, and I never dug 'high energy' dance for the same reasons. Like 'Lime' for example; the tunes start out with a cool groove but after a minute or so, I'm thinking damnit; couldnt they change the rhythm up a bit! No offense to anyone lol, just my opinion.

GARY, you mention "I can't go for that" by Hall and Oats; I love Hall and Oats, and this song is one my favs. Awesome rhythmic quality (which they had in so many). ACTUALLY, this is one of the few bands that I PREFER their early 80s music over their 70s stuff. I LOVE their 70s music; but their early 80s stuff is IMMACULATE. Other hit favorites; "Maneater"; "Method of Modern Love"; " I can't go for that"; "Kiss on my List"; "One on One"; and "Out of Touch" (man this one really jams)!

Yeah its too bad The New Wave scene had to bash Disco. However, there was alot of talent in the new wave scene (as you may agree Discophil); like Gary Nueman, The Cars, Joe Jackson etc. Then came the 'catchy new wave radio tunes' from Duran Duran, Men at Work (Fav. "Overkill"), Big Country, Toto (my fav. was "Africa"), ABC, Talk Talk, Thompson Twins; all the stuff I grew up with in Junior High. I have always loved the early 80s, and must mention 'Quarterflash' and 'The Motels' (awesome early 80s bands with female vocals). One of the BEST DANCE artists IMO (83-85 era) was Madonna. Damn, she had some good dance numbers in her first few years. "Everybody"; "Physical Attraction"; "Im Burning Up for you Love"; "Lucky Star"; "Borderline"; "Get into the Groove"; "angel"; and I LOVE the 12 inch version of "Pappa Don't Preach" (you heard it?)
After her 85 LP I really didnt get into her music; her earlier stuff was SOOO SEXY and IT SEEMS SO DISCOTECH (or post-disco sound). Which makes me wonder; I bet Madonna was a Disco lovin chic; who never really downed Disco in the 80s (so it seems to me). WHERE YOU OR ANYONE OUT THERE A BIG FAN OF HER EARLIER STUFF?

BTW, I HAD A MAJOR CRUSH on Madonna in Junior High School. Then she cut her hair in the Pappa Don't Preach/Live to Tell (sean Penn era 85-86); and I was crushed. I still loved those tunes, but missed her hair, black rubber bracelets lol (her whole basic look I mean). She looked older; outta my 'school age' league lol. Plus I dont like short hair on women lol. I'LL NEVER, EVER FORGET when I FINALLY saw her in PENTHOUSE (which I had been waiting months for); it was the summer of 85, a HIGH (or hot) POINT of the summer lol.

[discophil]

The name La Flavour sound kinda familiar, but I don't know the song. I may have heard one of their tunes on XM and seen the name or something.

Yeah it sounds like the times alight. You know whats really funny, when 'punk rockers' said Disco Sucks; man, its hard to find a punk rock song where more than three chords are played lol. I can't stand punk rock it's way too repetitive. Same goes for lots of modern dance music imo, and I never dug 'high energy' dance for the same reasons. Like 'Lime' for example; the tunes start out with a cool groove but after a minute or so, I'm thinking damnit; couldnt they change the rhythm up a bit! No offense to anyone lol, just my opinion.

Ha ha! I couldn't agree more! I remember starving for good Disco music after 1981. I would search everywhere I could and you're right, the HiNRG stuff was just too repetatve for my tastes. It wasn't bad, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't the pure disco that I loved. No symphony. No strings. No sweeping vocals. There was one song, however, from that era that I really liked: Cinema's "I Love Men." Do you know how hard it was to like that song and play it being a heterosexual young male (late teens, early 20s) chasing girls but living near San Fransisco! LOL!!!

At any rate, I still get pissed off when I recall that the reason so many of my peers in the late 70s, early 80s, hated disco is because it was "jungle" music, too repetative. And then I listen to music today and wonder, "What the hell? This junk is FAR more repetative and 'ethnic' than ANYTHING I listened to back in the day!" So glad for forums like this one, online radio stations (like Diva Radio) and my record collection!

[garrybcoston]

I know what you mean discophil; it was like going through a permanent drought with no food or water, especially your favorite food and clean cold water; YOU CAN'T FIND THEM ANYWHERE when there is a drought!

No strings, no congas, no percussion, no horn section, no guitar, no bass, no "real" drums, and the vocalists/singers singing with almost no emotion whatsoever, and just dead, bland keyboard or synthesizer keys. It got you dancing, but if your Mom or Dad died, wouldn't you miss them even though you got adopted?

I try to forget 1981 and on because those were lean years for dance music; but.......I played my disco vinyls up until I had them stolen in the early 1990's, played them in the closet and underground!

Anyhoo.......love this forum. Kudos to Bernie and the Moderators for a super job.

Garry:icon_lol:

[Billy72]

Enjoyed the posts yall. You know its obvious after listening to the charts in early-mid 81 (on XM radio K.C. Kasum) that most of 81 was in a confused state musically. There were some great tunes in there (including pop country hits); but its funny to hear the WHOLE TOP 40 charts now from that era, because alot of the **** that hit the radio was sooo aweful! Its funny though, later part of 79 saw the same trend (hits by 60s folk stars etc. that were washed out nonsense). HOWEVER, 1980 (for whatever reason I cant explain) was a great year (IMO) for 'last minute' disco smashes; and LOADS of great light rock; pop country etc.

BY the later part of 81 I think things had 'shaped up'; Journey; Olivia' etc. It seems there was a 'VOID' in the music industry after JULY 79 (DAHL says it all; WHICH WAS QUESTION POST of mine). HOW THE HELL COULD THE MUSIC INDUSTRY BE SCARED OF thousands of ROCK FANS at a BASEBALL GAME burning DISCO records?! Alright, enough said lol!

[FranceJoliFan]

Here's my 2 cents:

Here in Seattle we had KFOX, which played soul/r&b. In '77/'78 you could hear disco crossovers like Dance, Dance, Dance and Boogie Oogie Oogie months before pop radio played them.

Around 1979, we had KPLZ (K-PLUS) which had an all disco format. Not just Kool & The Gang and Donna Summer. But a rotation that included One More Minute by St. Tropez, Haven't Stopped Dancing by Gonzales, Love Dancin' by Marlena Shaw. Ready For The 80's by The Village People even. I think the format lasted for about a year.

Why did it stop?

1. Disco was uncool to white teenagers by then.

It was considered unmanly to listen to it. And guys definitely made fun of it. Although at the teen discos I went to, blacks and asians still liked it. Although they played more of an r&b/disco mix. But my best friend and I would usually be the only white guys there (a handful of white girls, but overall it was 90% black and asian. And a lot of fun!)

2. Wasn't profitable.

Radio stations will play whatever brings in advertisers.

3. Disco music doesn't just depend on radio play to promote it.

Before MTV, discos were one of the few non-radio outlets to promote records. So even though the radio stations dwindled, you could still expose people to new disco. And maybe that was good enough. One of the things I always liked about the disco was that it was the "only" place you could hear a lot of this music. And that made it special.

4. Disco would have evolved no matter what.

In retrospect, disco quickly morphed into dance music. Synthesizers replaced orchestras. And the music either got funkier, or faster.

And I was happy when New Wave hit. It sounded great at the time. The Michael Zager Let's All Chant thing had run its course.

And I was happy when Italo Disco hit. And high energy. And house.

I don't like the current DJ culture. But disco and 12" singles and synthesizer/computers paved the way for it. And it will continue to evolve.

I just don't understand how rap/hip-hop has had such a long shelf life. Probably because it's cool and macho to teenage boys. Disco wasn't.

*I'll also add, Seattle has C89 FM, which claims to be the longest-running dance music station in the US (I think it started in 1981 or so, but don't quote me. I remember hearing I Ran by Flock Of Seagulls on it when it first came out. And Never Say Never by Romeo Void.) It's pretty good. But they don't play much classic dance music. I think the last time I heard non-techno on it was in 1996 when they played Touch by France Joli.

[garrybcoston]

France Joli Fan; what a great take on disco from late 70's to early 80's; in my opinion you are right on.

It seemed to be different over here in the East though; that is, the reason(s) why disco faded. It (Disco) remained cool amongst white teenagers until mid 1979 when the "disco sucks" thing in Chicago happened. I agree, Let's all Chant, and other songs did get old, but we still loved hearing them.

Thanks for the super post!

Garry

[FranceJoliFan]

France Joli Fan; what a great take on disco from late 70's to early 80's; in my opinion you are right on.

It seemed to be different over here in the East though.

Thanks, Garry.

The East Coast always has better R&B radio. I wish we had more non-Rap R&B radio here in the NW. I'll hear the occasional "Old School" program. But not enough classic late-70's "Soul" music. Thank goodness for Internet radio.

In the early 80's, Seattle had a great "New Wave" station called KJET (they played B-52's, Romantics, Pretenders, and some indie rock.) Lasted a few years until pop radio absorbed a lot of this music. And this format seemed to evolve into Alternative Rock (which included Grunge.) And for some reason, this format stuck. But why this, and not Disco?
Because teenage boys like this music and buy these records? (Can you imagine a 16 year old straight white boy from the suburbs buying the latest Kelly Marie album? An Eartha Kitt 12" single? A Limahl poster?)

The "Disco Sucks" thing created great peer pressure. And I think it influenced both radio DJs and listeners/buyers to avoid the disco stigma. If you still listened to disco then, other guys would call you a fag. So it took a bold stance (especially for a teenage boy) to consume disco in late 1979/80. Which made it forbidden. Which made it fun again.

Imagine if disco had quietly dwindled without the controversy. It wouldn't have the fiercely defended status that it enjoys today. Kind of like the Edsel.

: )

[garrybcoston]

Thanks, Garry.

The East Coast always has better R&B radio. I wish we had more non-Rap R&B radio here in the NW. I'll hear the occasional "Old School" program. But not enough classic late-70's "Soul" music. Thank goodness for Internet radio.

In the early 80's, Seattle had a great "New Wave" station called KJET (they played B-52's, Romantics, Pretenders, and some indie rock.) Lasted a few years until pop radio absorbed a lot of this music. And this format seemed to evolve into Alternative Rock (which included Grunge.) And for some reason, this format stuck. But why this, and not Disco?
Because teenage boys like this music and buy these records? (Can you imagine a 16 year old straight white boy from the suburbs buying the latest Kelly Marie album? An Eartha Kitt 12" single? A Limahl poster?)

The "Disco Sucks" thing created great peer pressure. And I think it influenced both radio DJs and listeners/buyers to avoid the disco stigma. If you still listened to disco then, other guys would call you a fag. So it took a bold stance (especially for a teenage boy) to consume disco in late 1979/80. Which made it forbidden. Which made it fun again.

Imagine if disco had quietly dwindled without the controversy. It wouldn't have the fiercely defended status that it enjoys today. Kind of like the Edsel.

: )

Disco is kind of like an antique or classic item that is outdated but still in vogue and people still buy it and enjoy it.

I was listening to Cerrone's "Cerrone's Paradise" the other day and it was like taking out my solid gold antique piece, shining it, enjoying the shine and the overall appearance of the piece but still thinking back to what it was like or what it must have been like during its "heyday."

Garry:icon_razz:

[Jeff H]

We had a an all-disco radio station in Pittsburgh--well, actually in a suburb of Pittsburgh called Greensburg--for maybe a year in 1979. It was a little-known medium power station, so I'm sure they figured "what the hell... let's play disco." There were no live DJs; it was all automated, but on Saturday nights (I think) you could call in and make requests. It played all the obvious hits, but also plenty of records I wasn't hearing anywhere else.

I happened to be doing my internship at Pittsburgh magazine at the time, and we were instructed to come up with our own story ideas, so I interviewed the program director. My interview ended up being edited down to about two paragraphs.. and very shortly thereafter my clock radio went off one morning and instead of hearing Donna Summer I heard Dolly Parton: They had changed formats to a country station literally overnight with no warning.