abc disco ball special

**Flyjock** · January 16th, 2003, 10:11 PM

Did any one see the disco ball special monday night on abc
it was great :D

**Outsider** · January 17th, 2003, 12:13 AM

I just saw it, and it was interesting. I realize that not all of the original artists could be involved, but I was just happy to hear those songs. It's too bad nobody performed "More, More, More" on the show (even if it wasn't Andrea True), but I can't ask for everything. This show proves that disco gets at least some recognition. Let's face it: Disco can't be ignored. :evil:

**discosavvy** · January 17th, 2003, 01:19 AM

The "Disco Ball" show was good overall, even if it featured only the "typical" set of songs. I watched almost the whole thing. The Trammps featuring Earl Young were terrific on the balcony. Nile Rodgers got the audience repeating "C'est Chic". The singers really got into their songs. It was also the first time I heard "Flashdance" and "It's Raining Men" performed with real instruments including horns, guitar, and bass! Irene Cara was hot as usual! Martha Wash's voice is still powerful. The announcers on the show acknowledged disco's children, like '80s dance, Hi-NRG, and techno, by having Nikki French's version of "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" and the Pointer Sisters, though I wonder why Bonnie Pointer didn't sing "Heaven Must Have Sent You". The Village People were crap, not surprisingly. Chic only performed "Le Freak" and not also "Good Times", which was disappointing, but I suppose the audience got to hear "Good Times" and they just had to cut that part to fit into 2 hours?? How come the Village People got 2 songs on the air and Chic got only one? Is that justice?

Usher (born in 1979) did a nice rendition of one of that year's best anthem songs, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now". Say, where's Mr. McFadden these days? And Giorgio Moroder and Paul Jabara got mentions. The Spinners also got credit for "Usher-ing" in the disco era (sorry for the pun) way back in 1972 with their almost-disco song "I'll Be Around", though they sang the soul-dance hit "Working My Way Back To You, Babe" instead. Cheryl Lynn got real, and Gloria Gaynor sang not only her standard "I Will Survive" but joined in on "Last Dance" at the end. The Bee Gees covers (How Deep Is Your Love, Stayin' Alive, and You Should Be Dancing) were OK and particularly nice to hear as a way to remember the late Maurice Gibb. Of course the only intentional tribute, since this was recorded in late 2002, was for Andy Gibb (I Just Wanna Be Your Everything).

No violins here, but that was OK in the case of "I Love the Nightlife" because the original didn't have violins either!

Refreshing that there was no mention of disco-haters, no disco sucks video clips, no mention of disco dying in 1979... in fact they made it seem as if disco never disappeared. But they forgot to invite Jamiroquai! I bet most people who watched the show don't realize that some artists have some disco songs from THIS decade. Too bad Sony Music didn't have a Jamiroquai ad.

So when's Usher going to come out with a disco song, now that he shows he's into this kind of music?

**QUINNY** · January 17th, 2003, 02:45 AM

[quote="discosavvy"]But they forgot to invite Jamiroquai! I bet most people who watched the show don't realize that some artists have some disco songs from THIS decade. Too bad Sony Music didn't have a Jamiroquai ad.

Am I the only person to see through this band's tackiness? I am almost physically sick if I hear one of their tracks. :lol:

Sounds like the show was a great trip down nostalgia avenue/street/boulevard. Tell me, did the performers move very much, or has age caught up with them too?
BTW: No one on this board has mentioned that Gloria Gaynor had a #1 US Dance record last year. I only found that out earlier this week.

**discosavvy** · January 17th, 2003, 03:59 AM

Some people did mention that Gloria Gaynor's new CD was out including her hit "I Never Knew" and her most disco-sounding song of recent years, "Gone Too Long". I think Bernie featured it at one time - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...rniesdiscomusi
And see these discussions:
http://discomusic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2597
http://discomusic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2607
Gloria sounds great these days. I saw her on two other TV appearances in the past few months. I asked her if she still sings her other classics like "Never Can Say Goodbye" and she said yes, but all I've heard each time is "I Will Survive" because that's the big one.

Of course Earl Young of the Trammps, Irene Cara, Cheryl Lynn, Martha Wash, K.C., and all the other greats are getting up there in age, but they still sound good. Some, but not all, of the singers did move around a lot - why does that matter? The ever-tacky "YMCA" had the infamous arms-spelling thing going on. A couple of performers walked along the aisles while singing.

**markydefad** · January 17th, 2003, 12:02 PM

Didn't anyone notice that there was an imposter Pointer Sister ?(the one on the left). Ruth & Anita were there--BUT that was NOT Baby June (or even Bonnie!!!)

The audience was truly impressive. They danced and grooved to the whole show--which must have been a long time, since taping these damn things takes forever. And, also, they PAID to get in. As I recall, they were selling tickets---maybe for an AIDS charity. I'm not sure about that--but I remember hearing that tickets were on sale.

I'll be surprised if they got much of an audience though, with a new "Friends" and "CSI" on opposite them.

But it was not embarassing. I enjoyed Cheryl Lynn the most.

**Boogie Child** · January 17th, 2003, 01:54 PM

Yes, I noticed the imposter Pointer Sister - it was that mummified thing on the left. I agree, Cheryl Lynn was the best. I hope that ABC releases the event on DVD, but I won't hold my breath.

**markydefad** · January 17th, 2003, 02:27 PM

Oh, one mo thing....

Weren't KC & The Sunshine Band just going through the motions? It sounded like the whole thing was pre- recorded. Are they really that adept at recreating their sound that they sound like the actual record--"LIVE"????

I don't think so. :roll:

**Mixmachine** · January 17th, 2003, 10:20 PM

The show was IMO very good (although I could have done without Woopy’s clowning), it had that vintage ‘party’ feel to it not seen anymore in any musical TV show, people and dancers wore original period outfits and performed original dance moves of the day; and yes the songs were all ‘typical’ standard disco tunes but what do you expect after 25 years and on prime time? Besides, all this songs were first played fresh in clubs before they became well known after radio play, (for instance KC’s “Get down Tonight” was played locally out of TK before it went national and “I will Survive” was rediscovered months later after been released on the flip of the “Substitute” 12”), Thelma Houston, Cheryl Lynn, and Gloria still sound great, and my fave Spinners’ harmony still was there, Chic was good too but I don’t think any of the Village people were the originals either, and that chic (?) doing ‘Hot Stuff’ put on some nice moves on that number, Taylor Dane did a very good version of “ I love the night live” (a bit to short), and the singer (?) doing ‘Total Eclipse” with that weird guy behind her flipping cards to the crowd IMO just didn’t fit well in this show, but hey is ‘Disco’ and anything goes.

**QUINNY** · January 18th, 2003, 06:34 AM

Just out of interest guys.
Cheryl Lynn - Got To Be Real will always be one of my all time favourite tunes from the 'height of the disco era'. Would this have been played a lot in US discos at the time and would it have been peak time or morning music? I have the (possibly false) impression that this would have been, by then, a tad slow for really whooping it up with the average US discogoer. It was most definitely a real floorfiller for me. Would you please enlighten me?

**jim** · January 18th, 2003, 12:03 PM

Originally Written by Mixmachine

The show was IMO very good (although I could have done without Woopy’s clowning), it had that vintage ‘party’ feel to it not seen anymore in any musical TV show, people and dancers wore original period outfits and performed original dance moves of the day; and yes the songs were all ‘typical’ standard disco tunes but what do you expect after 25 years and on prime time?

Well what did you expect? Voyage? :)

Besides, all this songs were first played fresh in clubs before they became well known after radio play, (for instance KC’s “Get down Tonight” was played locally out of TK before it went national and “I will Survive” was rediscovered months later after been released on the flip of the “Substitute” 12”),

and I had a copy of that orginal 12" in my hand once. but didn't get it :(
I did get the rerelease in the summer of 79 where they had the Spanish version on side 2. I no longer have any vynal,but I DO have the 12" version on CD! :)

Thelma Houston, Cheryl Lynn, and Gloria still sound great, and my fave Spinners’ harmony still was there, Chic was good too but I don’t think any of the Village people were the originals either,

I think three of the orginal 6 are still with the group including Felipe but withOUT victor willis it is sort of irrelevent.

and that chic (?) doing ‘Hot Stuff’ put on some nice moves on that number, Taylor Dane did a very good version of “ I love the night live” (a bit to short), and the singer (?) doing ‘Total Eclipse” with that weird guy behind her flipping cards to the crowd IMO just didn’t fit well in this show, but hey is ‘Disco’ and anything goes.

This is true!

**NickNack** · January 18th, 2003, 01:57 PM

Originally Written by QUINNY

Just out of interest guys.
Cheryl Lynn - Got To Be Real will always be one of my all time favourite tunes from the 'height of the disco era'. Would this have been played a lot in US discos at the time and would it have been peak time or morning music? I have the (possibly false) impression that this would have been, by then, a tad slow for really whooping it up with the average US discogoer. It was most definitely a real floorfiller for me. Would you please enlighten me?

Gosh, Quinny, a little difficult to say. Depends on the disco... and then it depends on 'the room'. The dj at the bar/disco known as "Better Days" would program this differently from the dj at "Hollywood". Neither was an after-hours club but the crowds had different energy levels. Then again, the jocks at "Flamingo" didn't work like the dj at "The Gallery". Both after-hours, both very different in mood and energy.

If I were hazarding guesses, this song would be an early evening piece at Hollywood, before it got crazy and part of a peak set at Better Days. It would be a morning piece for Flamingo and either/or for The Gallery.

If you were wondering if the song was heard in the clubs here, the answer is yes. I think most dj's knew this was a killer track and worked it in to suit their room --- big or small, regular or after-hours.

Hope I helped you out a little.

**QUINNY** · January 19th, 2003, 06:36 PM

Nicky: Thanks for the info.
I guess the same could have applied to the UK; I tend to suffer from the illusion that my tastes were a fairly true reflection of the scene over here, but I could be way off. It was one of the few records I've ever heard in my life that had real balls AND was really joyous (Cheryl's voice is so incredibly uplifting in the track) at the same time. Most ballsy tunes were kinda heavier or generally darker, eh?
I suppose the other side (Star Love?) was played more in the average US disco?

**NickNack** · January 19th, 2003, 07:56 PM

Quinny: You are right that Star Love was very, very popular, almost at once it seemed to me. You'd probably be surprised to learn that it took me a good while to get into that song. I simply didn't like the tempo (I still think it's too damn fast) and felt like the musicians and Cheryl were on too much speed :roll: . Actually, I was just floored by Got To Be Real. THAT'S what I wanted to hear and wanted everyone else to hear it with me :) . (See, I wasn't always a high energy freak as you suspected :lol: .) I was just lucky I worked at two places almost at odds with each other when it came to energy and mood. So, I learned to 'like' Star Love and had enough Cheryl for everybody. :D

**nrgbeat** · January 19th, 2003, 08:06 PM

I have a tape recorded at a gay club that has both "Star Love" and another Cheryl Lynn song called "You Saved My Day".

I think of all of Cheryl's songs, "Got To Be Real" probably got the most play in your average disco (read: Top 40 dance club) because the song was a hit on the radio.

**QUINNY** · January 20th, 2003, 03:07 AM

Nicky & NRG: Yeah, your comments more or less confirm what I thought.
Nicky: I think I played 'Star love' probably 3 times before I gave up on it. It WAS too fast and hurried.
Glad to hear that you didn't have a 100% diet of High Energy and the odd funky tune moved ya butt.
The really funny thing is that the US disco charts DID appear to be fairly diverse to us Brits at the time and we naturally thought that we were to a large extent mirroring what was happening over there. 5 months at this site has told me a completely different tale. Maybe it's the 'Gay' effect being stronger here than in US clubs in general. I never imagined the Brothers and Sisters were really into the HiNRG stuff. I always thought that the funkier tunes that charted were entirely down to them, and the reason fewer funk records got exposure was down to black clubs being in the minority.

**keefelc** · January 21st, 2003, 08:37 PM

Originally Written by markydefad

Didn't anyone notice that there was an imposter Pointer Sister ?(the one on the left). Ruth & Anita were there--BUT that was NOT Baby June (or even Bonnie!!!)

But it was not embarassing. I enjoyed Cheryl Lynn the most.

Mark, I read somewhere that the Pointer replacing June is one of their daughters or cousins, or someone in the Pointer household. June was kicked out due to repeated drug abuse!

As for Cheryl Lynn, anyone who has seen her perform live in concert should not be surprised that she stole the show. I remember the first time I saw her when she opened for Luther Vandross. Nobody expected anything from her. I expected to take a nap. Boy, was I wrong. For her size, that girl can get down!!!

**QUINNY** · January 22nd, 2003, 02:28 AM

What's frustrating is that there is very little info (that I've been able to find) on the web about Cheryl Lynn and where her career has taken her. Type her name in and porno sites come up.

**DevP** · January 23rd, 2003, 10:15 AM

Hi Quinny and Everyone:

I'm new to this forum and have enjoy reading all the post. I'm a HUGE Cheryl Lynn fan and have been for over 20 yrs. IMHO she is the best female singer of the Rock era. It's a sad shame she is unjustly under-appreciated. :( I saw Cheryl in concert at the Newark Symphony Hall back in Dec of 82'. She was the opening act for Luther Vandross and although he did a good job Cheryl stole the show. Her awesome voice goes without saying but I was so impress by how, for her size, she had some great dance moves. She brought down the house. She also stole the show at Sinbad's 70 Funk Fest in Aruba back in 98'. So it didn't surprise me that she stole the show, again, at the Disco Ball concert. :D I also have try to get some latest info on Cheryl via the internet. It is very frustrating. I'm surprise with as many fans as Cheryl has she doesn't have her own website were we can get the lastest scoop on her. Although not much, I have manage to find some info on the lastest with Cheryl. According to VH1 Cheryl has officially retired from the music industry and only does the occasional gig, like The Disco Ball. Also, according to an L.A. fan he read an article that Cheryl is currently starring in a local gospel play in L.A. This wouldn't surprise me because an ex co-worker of mine who had some connection with Cheryl told me that after her only album with Virgin records back in 89' she became very active with singing for her church. I personally feel that Cheryl is too young and too talented to be retiring as evident by her classic performance at The Disco Ball. It would be a shame to allow that awesome voice to be limited to occasional gigs and local plays. She needs to get out there, re-invent herself and help save this ever deminishing music industry. Thanks for hearing me out.

DevP

**jonboy929** · July 2nd, 2011, 04:11 AM

To all of those who watched the disco ball special on abc /2003, I am trying to find someone who managed to record the entire 2-hrs. If someone has a copy orknows where I might be able to purchase a copy,please let me know @ johnaswinney@yahoo.com .