The Dance Music Hall of Fame 2004 Nominee list!!!

[Bernie]

Alright everyone... The head of the Dance Music Hall of Fame just sent me the nominee list for the 2004 awards and I'm sure everyone will want to voice their opinions so lets hear them!

The awards and selection of winners will be cast by a voting body later in the spring. Here's the list of nominees...

Artists (10 Nominees):

Barry White*

Barry White delivered a powerful dose of romance with hard, hypnotic rhythm, wrapped in a gorgeous swath of orchestration. One of the first dance-R&B artists to sell major amounts of albums to both the pop and R&B markets, White used his singular, penetrating voice to combine seduction with the gospel of togetherness and communication. His cultural influence was acknowledged by Lisa Stansfield, Soul II Soul and many other young R&B artists in an early-Nineties revival that rippled through all of urban music -- as well as in the apt invocation of his name and music as an idealized metaphor for manhood, in the television dramedy Ally McBeal.


Bee Gees

The Australian brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb, whose rock ballads earned a long hit streak as talented songwriting popstars, were transformed by their mid-Seventies work with Arif Mardin in a rhythmic R&B vein. A career renewal, with the hits “Jive Talkin’” and “You Should Be Dancing,” led to their scoring of Saturday Night Fever, the 1977 film that defined disco for a worldwide audience. Their suite of five soundtrack songs, performed by themselves, Yvonne Elliman and another family group, Tavares, fired the greatest sales of any album to that time.


Chic

Chic combined a powerhouse rhythm section -- Bernard Edwards on bass, Tony Thompson on drums and Nile Rodgers on guitar -- with an ironic modern approach to production, image, and lyric content. “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” with words and music referencing James Brown, disco and the dance marathons of yesteryear, suggested Chic might be a studio group destined to be remembered for one idea, but* “Le Freak” became the biggest-selling Atlantic single to that date, and “Good Times” did no less than give birth to hip-hop, in the hands of DJs who cut it up endlessly.


Donna Summer

In partnership with Munich producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, Donna Summer proved that “disco” and “artist” were terms that were made to go together, in an unparalleled streak of all-format hits lasting from 1975 to 1980. Her voice was by turns seductive, emotive and powerful, and her songs, launched in what was once a mysterious dance underground, now play as standards of the American songbook in supermarkets and diners and on light-music radio stations everywhere.* Her versatility is reflected in Grammy Awards spanning four categories: rock, R&B, inspirational and dance.


Gloria Gaynor

Gaynor, an R&B and pop traditionalist at heart, brought balladic interpretation to uptempo material and became disco’s first diva figure -- as well as being one of the few ever to take a song away from Michael Jackson. Years after all but initiating the concept of the disco record with the epochal “Never Can Say Goodbye” medley -- the first full album side produced and programmed for uninterrupted club DJ play -- Gaynor also sang the most celebrated pop tune ever written for the dance floor, “I Will Survive.”


James Brown

James Brown stands alone in modern popular music for his contributions to R&B, soul, dance and top 40. His unique fusion of blues, gospel and R&B defined soul, now and forever. His accessible and irresistibly danceable hits, including “The Payback” “(Get Up I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” and his production of Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It)” form a cornerstone without which dance music and hip-hop would simply not exist.



KC & The Sunshine Band

The partnership of Harry Wayne Casey and Rick Finch formed the nucleus of the most important combination studio band, production team and performing group since Booker T. & the MG’s.*Influenced by American R&B and the intense percussion of Bahamian junkanoo, their party anthems, including* “Get Down Tonight” and “That’s the Way (I Like It)” brought disco energy, hard funk and rootsy R&B together in a brilliant fusion.**


Kraftwerk*

The imprint of Germany’s Kraftwerk is on every electronic dance record ever made. As much performance artists as recording artists, their unlikely R&B/dance crossovers, “Trans-Europe Express” and “Numbers” were commentaries on the modern technological world. But they also remain the incontrovertable precursors of almost any hit dance, R&B or electronica record, up to the present day, if you trace the influences backward.*


MFSB

Under the direction of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, MFSB is one of the greatest assemblages of talent in the history of record-making, playing rhythm for decades’ worth of Philadelphian soul hits. Its official lineup includes a slate of distinguished songwriters, producers and arrangers in their own right: Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, Earl Young, Bobby Eli, and Vincent Montana Jr., alongside drummer Karl Chambers, keyboardist Lenny Pakula, saxman Zach Zachery, percussionist Larry Washington and concertmaster Don Renaldo.


The Trammps
The Trammps’ rollicking early hits, “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart” and “Hold Back the Night,” updated the historic African-American vocal group tradition of The Coasters and the Temptations in the early Seventies, and established the style of disco music before the word existed. Led by the peerless Philadelphia drummer Earl Young, their body of work is the manifesto of dance: “Disco Inferno,” “That’s Where the Happy People Go,” “Disco Party” “Love Epidemic” and “Where Do We Go From Here.”



Songs (15 Nominees):

Bad Luck – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (Philadelphia International, 1975)
Writers: John Whitehead, Gene McFadden, Victor Christarphen
Producers: Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff
Arranger: Bobby Martin
Mix: Joe Tarsia
With the mighty vamping of the MFSB studio band and the prodigious, testifying lead vocal of Teddy Pendergrass, “Bad Luck” was one of Philadelphia’s most perfectly-realized amalgams of the street and the sanctified. Danceable Philadelphian R&B in its fullest flower, illustrating Gamble & Huff’s penchant for bringing timely social comment to a pop-R&B idiom.




Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston (Tamla, 1976)
Writers: Kenneth Gamble, Cary Gilbert, Leon A. Huff
Producer: Hal Davis
Arranger: Art Wright
Motown regularly paid tribute to Philadelphia in album-track covers, but rarely released them as singles: when they did, as in the case of “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” they were massive hits. Supercharged rhythm playing, a breathtaking tambourine-driven break and an inspired performance by Houston, carried her from being a well-regarded industry secret to a Number One hitmaker.
*


Fly, Robin, Fly – Silver Convention (Midland International, 1975)
Writers: Silvester Levay, Stephan Prager
Producer: Michael Kunze
Arranger: Silvester Levay
“Fly, Robin, Fly” was considered by producer Kunze to be an unfinished demo when he took it to the music market MIDEM early in the year. But its sparse, deeply pulsing take on the sophisticated soul of Barry White and Philly turned out to be not only complete, but a refreshing, unique and unpredictable change of pace when disco was being stereotyped as big, showbizzy and overproduced.



Girl You Need A Change of Mind – Eddie Kendricks (Tamla, 1972)
Writers: Leonard Caston, Anita Poree
Producers: Frank Wilson, Leonard Caston
Arrangers: David Leacraft and LeRoy Fleming
Widely credited as the record that first exemplified the dramatic and rhythmic power of the breakdown and build on the dance floor. With its thoughtful singer-songwriter vibe building to gospel-fired frenzy, Kendricks took a critical step forward in this landmark record, as he transitioned himself from co-lead in the classic lineup of The Temptations to trend-setting solo artist.



Got To Be Real – Cheryl Lynn (Columbia, 1978)
Writers: Cheryl Lynn, David Paich, David Foster
Producers: David Paich, Marty Paich
Arrangers: David Paich, Marty Paich
Lynn improvised her lyrics to David Paich’s piano playing, and with such west coast all-stars as Ray Parker Jr. and James Gadson playing rhythm, she created the quintessential pop/funk/R&B/disco fusion. Its breadth of appeal has spanned from the most glittery drag balls, to the roughest hip-hop parties, then and now. Classic example of a young prodigy taking on the mantle of R&B with confidence and deep talent.



Honeybee / Never Can Say Goodbye / Reach Out, I’ll Be There – Gloria Gaynor (MGM, 1974)
Writers: Melvin Steals, Mervin Steals / Clifton Davis / Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Edward Holland, Jr.
Producers: Paul Leka / Tony Bongiovi, Meco Monardo, Jay Ellis
Arrangers: Norman Harris / Harold Wheeler and City Life / Lou Del Gatto
Mix: Tom Moulton
This precedent-shattering disco medley was the first full album side ever programmed for uninterrupted club play. Recorded in Philadelphia and New York, incorporating two classic Motown covers, and introducing the groundbreaking remix concepts of Tom Moulton, it was both the synthesis of all that had gone before, and a giant step into the future. Gaynor was first to be crowned “Queen of the Discos” by an early DJ organization.



I Feel Love – Donna Summer (Casablanca, 1977)
Writers: Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte
Producers: Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte
Arranger: Thor Baldursson
Donna Summer was already the biggest pop star to come out of disco when “I Feel Love” single-handedly ushered in the era of sequenced dance music and transformed pop forever. In it, a simple tape delay added to a classic Munich bass line created a gripping, dizzying new effect, doubling the tempo and ponging from speaker to speaker. At once primal and futuristic, “I Feel Love” remains one of the most influential and singular records in pop history.



Love Hangover – Diana Ross (Motown, 1976)
Writers: Pam Sawyer, Marilyn McLeod
Producer: Hal Davis
Arrangers: Dave Blumberg, Clay Drayton
The audacious song and production concept of “Love Hangover” has lost none of its magnetism since its release nearly thirty years ago: this sensual rhythm ballad breaks into a ferocious workout of walking bass, brilliant orchestral and vocal arrangements, and five minutes of witty ad-libbing by pop icon Ross. Its undying raw power is directly connected to its economical production; moreover, the high musical standards of records like “Love Hangover” prolonged the attention span of dancers, and in turn, every fan of pop music.



Love is the Message – MFSB featuring The Three Degrees (Philadelphia International, 1973/1977)
Writers: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
Producers: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
Arranger: Bobby Martin
Mix: Tom Moulton
The best intentions and the highest calling of music are expressed in this timeless classic of danceable jazz-flavored R&B. Already a dance floor classic in its original album version, the 1977 remix by Tom Moulton added a critical improvised keyboard solo by Leon Huff, along with breakdown sections that have proven definitive to every subsequent form of dance music.



Love’s Theme – Love Unlimited Orchestra (20th Century, 1973)
Writer: Barry White
Producer: Barry White
Arrangers: Barry White, Gene Page
Barry White combined hard rhythm and ornate string arrangements with a level of ambition and pop craft rarely heard since Phil Spector’s heyday. From the time of his first solo hits to the present day, White’s influence as a singer, songwriter, producer and arranger his been acknowledged by everyone who has endeavored to put more music into music. “Love’s Theme” was the first Number One pop single discovered and broken in the club underground.



Rock Your Baby – George McCrae (TK, 1974)
Writers: Harry Wayne Casey, Rick Finch
Producers: Harry Wayne Casey, Rick Finch
Miami first staked its claim as one of the centers of R&B-oriented dance with this international Number One, written and produced by the creative duo that was soon to conquer pop as K.C. & the Sunshine Band. Only three people played this hot rhythm track: Finch on bass and drums, Casey on keyboards, and Jerome Smith on guitar. McCrae chose a soft, dreamy delivery to go with the pumping, yet trance-like track. Finch admits that the loud bossa nova rhythm box beat was turned up high to help him keep time on the drum kit.


Shame – Evelyn “Champagne” King (RCA, 1978)
Writers: John Henry Fitch, Reuben Cross
Producer: T. Life
Arrangers: T. Life, Sam Peake
Mix: David Todd, Al Garrison
Young Evelyn was only sixteen when she was discovered singing a Sam Cooke song while cleaning at a Philadelphia studio. Instant Funk played the unconventionally fast rhythm, and King sang from a deep well of precocious emotion. David Todd, the first working DJ to be employed in promotion by a record label, directed the remix, adding a wicked whiplash echo to the handclaps. Other producers and artists copied “Shame,” but King never did, instead taking dance music and R&B another stylistic step forward with her groundbreaking electronic hits of the early Eighties.


Soul Makossa – Manu Dibango (Atlantic, 1973)
Writer: Manu Dibango
Producer: Manu Dibango
Camerounian horn player Dibango was among the first to benefit from the power of club DJs to search out and break the most unlikely records. This wild and hypnotic jazz riff had entered the country on a French import, and within days of its discovery, DJ buzz precipitated a frenzy of covers, bootleg pressings and immediate radio interest. One of dance music’s first of many creative and commercial out-of-nowhere boom tracks.



Ten Percent – Double Exposure (Salsoul, 1976)
Writers: Allan Felder, T.G. Conway
Producer: Norman Harris
Arranger: Norman Harris
Mix: Walter Gibbons
As an album track, this storming piece of Philly disco would have been a highlight of its season, but in addition to its churning update of the Four Tops/Marvin Gaye style of manly pleading, “Ten Percent” was also the first commercially released 12-inch vinyl single. Its success spawned an entirely new retail format for music that would be the financial cornerstone for successive generations of creative independent labels, producers and artists and a vibrant international network of specialist record stores.



(You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real – Sylvester (Fantasy, 1978)
Writers: Sylvester, James “Tip” Wirrick
Producer: Harvey Fuqua, Sylvester
Arrangers: Sylvester, James “Tip” Wirrick
Mix: Doug Riddick
With his outsize personality, image and talent, Sylvester was the living embodiment of disco’s eclectic, all-inclusive underground of devotees, styles, and music. Powerfully euphoric and frankly aphrodisiac, “(You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real” is a quintessential dance music statement. This transformative hybrid of top 40 pop, R&B and gospel also introduced the innovative synthesizer post-production of Patrick Cowley.


Producers (3 Nominees):

Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff
Gamble and Huff had already risen to the top of independent R&B production with hits for Soul Survivors, Joe Simon, the Intruders, Jerry Butler and Wilson Pickett, when they established their Philadelphia International imprint with the then-CBS Records. Immediately they laid the groundwork both musically and commercially for the dance music movement with their ornate and propulsive productions, combining earthy soul of their artist roster, the elegant classical and jazz arrangements of Thom Bell and Bobby Martin, and the hot, innovative rhythm of drummer Earl Young and conga player Larry Washington. Selected credits: “TSOP” and “Love is the Message” by MFSB; “Love Train” and “For the Love of Money” by the O’Jays; “The Love I Lost” and “Bad Luck” by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes; “When Will I See You Again” by the Three Degrees, and “I’ll Always Love My Mama” by the Intruders.

Giorgio Moroder & Pete Bellotte
Based in the Musicland Studio in Munich, Germany, Moroder and Bellotte built an impeccable profile for their marquee artist Donna Summer, in a series of atmospheric and innovative concept albums. Starting with Summer’s “Love To Love You Baby,” their productions advanced dance music in every direction, pushing technological, stylistic and cultural envelopes with every new release -- all while keeping the artist in the spotlight. Selected credits: “I Feel Love,” “Hot Stuff,” “Bad Girls,” “MacArthur Park Suite” and* “Last Dance” by Donna Summer; “Get on the Funk Train” by Munich Machine; “Trouble Maker” and “Zodiac Lady” by Roberta Kelly. Giorgio Moroder (solo):* “The Chase” and “Evolution” by Giorgio Moroder; “Call Me” by Blondie; “Harmony” by Suzi Lane; “Beat the Clock” by Sparks; “Flashdance (What a Feeling)” by Irene Cara.

Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards
Rodgers and Edwards’ writing and production partnership anchored dance music in the funkiest R&B, and their refusal to work within the clichés of disco resulted in a timeless streak of hits that that samplers of hip-hop and bedroom DJ production can’t keep their hands off of.* Selected credits: “Good Times,” “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” “Le Freak,” “I Want Your Love” by Chic; “We Are Family,” “He’s The Greatest Dancer,” “Lost in Music” by Sister Sledge; “I’m Coming Out” and “Upside Down” by Diana Ross; “Why” by Carly Simon. Their credits should arguably include “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang, and “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen, but indisputably do encompass the unending list of hip-hop and house records sampled from their productions, including worldwide smashes by Notorious B.I.G., Will Smith, M.C. Lyte, and Modjo, among many others. Rodgers (solo): “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl” by Madonna; “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie. Edwards (solo): “Addicted to Love” and “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” by Robert Palmer; “Some Like it Hot” by Power Station; “Don’t You Want Me” by Jody Watley; “When Smokey Sings” by ABC.


Remixers (3 Nominees):

Jim Burgess
A star DJ in New York’s gay underground in Manhattan and Fire Island, and a classically trained opera singer, Burgess specialized in blue-chip pop smashes whose dance elements he magnified for the club DJ, without ever stepping away from the essence of the original song and production. Selected Credits: “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy,” by Rod Stewart; “I Love the Nightlife (Disco Round),” by Alicia Bridges;* “Hot Butterfly,” by Gregg Diamond Bionic Boogie; “I’ve Got the Next Dance,” by Deniece Williams; “Runaway Love” by Linda Clifford; “A Lover’s Holiday” by Change; “If There’s Love” by Amant; “Dance to the Drummer’s Beat” by Herman Kelly and Life.

Walter Gibbons
Gibbons was one of the most popular DJs in the New York underground when he mixed the first commercial 12-inch single, “Ten Percent,” for Salsoul Records, reportedly for a fee equivalent to a night’s worth of missed work at a club. His radical approach to mixing called for intensely rhythmic percapella breaks, as well as sudden drop-outs, breakdowns and builds that reflected the way DJs worked the crowd with two copies of a record. His approach was not only rhythmically explosive, but musically fascinating, as he uncovered and spotlighted microscopically every nuance of the rhythm and orchestral arrangements. Selected Credits: “Ten Percent,” “My Love is Free” by Double Exposure; “Hit and Run” and “Catch Me on the Rebound” by Loleatta Holloway; “It’s Good for the Soul” by Salsoul Orchestra; “Doin’ the Best That I Can” by Bettye Lavette; “Law and Order” by Love Committee; “Time Out” by the Clark Sisters.

Tom Moulton
Moulton‘s work for Scepter Records and DCA Productions wrote the rulebook for every remix consultant and DJ/producer to the present day. Among concepts originated by Moulton: extending the high frequencies and tightening the bottom for better sounding play at high volume; lengthening tracks for greater musical and emotional impact by repeating key passages. Selected Credits: “Never Can Say Goodbye” and “Casanova Brown” album medleys by Gloria Gaynor; Philadelphia Classics album, including 1977 MFSB “Love is the Message” remix; “Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied),” “Express” by B.T. Express; “Disco Inferno,” “That’s Where the Happy People Go,” “Hold Back the Night” by The Trammps; “Do It Anyway You Wanna” by People’s Choice; “More, More, More” by Andrea True Connection; “Hold Your Horses” and “Doctor Love” by First Choice.


DJ's (10 Nominees):

Bobby “DJ” Guttadaro
David Mancuso
David Todd
Francis Grasso
John “TC” Luongo
Larry Levan
Nicky Siano
Pete “DJ” Jones
Tee Scott
Walter Gibbons

What do you think? Who would you choose from each category?

[QUINNY]

Bernie: Not knowing the ground rules this is how I'd vote:

Artist:
James Brown - He's had such a widespread influence over so many decades. Who else could you vote for?
reserve: K.C. & The Sunshine Band - unmistakeable sound that wasn't successfully copies by many.

Record:
Got To Be Real - I just happen to never tire of it.
reserve: Honey Bee/Never Can Say Goodbye/Reach Out I'll Be There - an epoch making record if ever there was one.

Producers:
Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards - Anyone who produced Good Times would have to be #1 in my book.

Remixer:
Tom Moulton - For the sheer quantity, quality and diversity of his remixes.

DJ: wouldn't have a clue.

[markydefad]

Perfect list of nominees. Don't wanna pat myself on the back, :oops: -- but I think all my choices made it...and my backups/alternate choices are there too. :D

Nice job.

[efunk_adelic]

With the looks of this list everyone of them should be in... but, i'll narrow it down to 1 choice for each category.



Artist
James Brown
JB was at his best between 1965-77 puting out all those songs that everyone could dance to. I'm talking about single after single. One right after another... I can't remember looking at a chart not seeing a JB entry on one of them during the 70's. Now back in the early 70's... it was a JB song that was most wanted while dancing to something "hip" he was the opitimy of "hip" back in the day. He was the "cool one"
If it wasn't for him, none of today's music would exist.



Songs
Fly, Robin, Fly

I picked this song because it was one of the turning points in the music change. Strings were cool, sexy & erotic. When it hit the charts... it made the biggest move from #16 to #2, then went on to go to #1 for 3 weeks. :o


Producers
Gamble & Huff

I think they deserve getting in first... don't you agree? I'm sure they had the most overall top 10 and #1 hits on the soul charts in the USA.


Remixer
Tom Moulton

Hands down... I shall say no more. Besides he produced one of my favorite jams of all time People's Choice - Do It Any Way You Wanna :P

DJ

I dunno any of these guys...

[K-Bee]

Well, all of these artist, songs & DJ's are all innovators in their own rights and it really makes it hard to choose.
I'm glad I don't have to :lol:

[FireNightDance]

Artist : My vote would be for the Trammps for their early sounding disco records alone.

Song: Soul Makossa, have to start with the first disco record I ever heard. The fact it crossed into America as an import showed it's international appeal.

Producers: Gamble & Huff, to me Philly is where the prototype disco sound emerged.

Mixer: Tom Moulton, many great productons.

DJ: Can only go by their legend here and cd mixes I have heard, plus their playlist style. I'd give it to: David Mancuso


Muggy

[BrunoRepublic]

Here are my meaningless thoughts...

Artist:
Chic Brilliant catchy songs that you can never forget.

Record:
Honey Bee/Never Can Say Goodbye/Reach Out I'll Be There This set the foundation for everything to come.

Producers:
Moroder/Bellotte They took production to a whole new level.

Remixer:
Tom Moulton Definitely the top.

DJ: I never heard any of these guys, so I have no valid opinion.

[SandraDee]

What, no Lime or Ottowan? :-? :roll:

[NickNack]

Before I give my choices, let me explain that even though it's called "The Dance Music Hall of Fame", I think 'Dance' is just the 'pc' replacement for "DISCO". That's what I thought this organization was really about. For that reason, I won't vote for James Brown since, as I said before, I can never consider him a Disco artist. Plus, the fact that he's the only pre-70s artist on the list I find a little suspicious. I mean, if you're gonna do 'Dance' music, where's Motown? :o :-?

Enough of that... here's my picks:

Artist:
Barry White In some form, either as BW, Love Unlimited or Love Unlimited Orchestra, this man's music was in the clubs as disco started to take form. He was a big part of that sound.

Song:
Girl You Need A Change Of Mind - Eddie Kendricks This 7+ minute masterpiece from the early 70's was indicative of what the people wanted (and would get in a few years) on the dance floor. The straight-forward, 'two-and-a-half minute' wonders were not enough. Dramatic shifts, breakdowns and build ups were all in this one package. The tempo may have been low but the energy level was about as high as it could get at the time.

Producers:
Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff Before the 'Euro' sound hit in America, it was all about Philly. Ever-present in so many groups from the day that were getting club play (Blue Magic, New York City, The Spinners) it became the 'sound'. Motown had been nudged aside and Philly had a helluva lot to say.

Remixer:
Tom Moulton Hell, this choice doesn't need explaining. :D

DJ:
Nicky Siano To me, Nicky was 'the beginning'. He was the first dj I heard that was deadly serious about beat mixing and not losing the dancefloor. He could start a night with Grover Washington, dance you up, down and around from midnight until 9 AM or longer, and end (or begin the new day ) with Chuck Mangione. He could read a crowd in seconds and know just where to take the energy level or how to shift the mood entirely. He insisted his lightman work with him and the music, not just sit there and flick on the strobe light. He was the dj that other dj's were coming to hear at 5 in the morning... some of them on this very list of nominees.

[JussiK]

A predictable list of nominees and so predictably they're calling it a DANCE hall of fame. Would not want to dis America but ain't that just the way one would expect them to chicken out once again! No Pride. Naturally they just had to include KC&Sunshine Band and leave out true innovators such as August Darnell, Patrick Adams, Cerrone and Alec R.Costandinos. And what about those deejays - all from the United States. No mention of Paul Trouble Anderson from the UK for example - a legend (outside the US that is!) who still spins as well as he ever did.

Barry White should be honoured as should The Trammps and Moroder&Bellotte and co.

[Nano]

Well, I think there's a reason they called it DANCE Hall of Fame. There are not so many disco artists to be honored. Wait, don't punch me yet! I mean that this obviously is made in the vein of the RNR Hall of Fame, which has been moving forward on time from year to year. Probably they are thinking of doing just the same: 3 or 4 years remembering disco's most known acts, then moving into the Eighties, then house, then techno... etc.
However, I'm glad someone is making these awards and giving focus at the songs writers & producers, for a change.

[JussiK]

Well, could be...but what I meant was like would one use when discussing -let alone honouring- The Trammps, Gloria Gaynor or Donna Summer the word "dance" instead of "disco"? Apparently that board does. Please give a warm welcome to The Trammps, a pioneering dance group! Ladies and gentlemen, the guest of honour tonight is none other than Tom Moulton the man who created the dance mix, and here we have Nicky Siano from Studio 54, the world famous dance club! - It's still true that much of America thinks disco is a four letter word and not five like dance. Thank god for the organisers of the Seattle disco exhibit, they stood up and Dared to be Disco, dammit! :D

[Jeff H]

I have to say (and apologies to Marky) that I agree with Jussi: Could this list be any more predictable??! It reads like something compiled by the guy who spins 45s for the mall girls at some suburban bar's weekly "disco night."

On the other hand, this is the first-ever list of nominees, so I guess the obvious choices were bound to be included. But I also agree with Nicky re: James Brown; I don't consider him a disco artist. (If all it takes to be considered a disco artist is releasing a record people can dance to, then why not Chubby Checker or even the Beach Boys, "Here Comes the Night" notwithstanding. :D ) Likewise the Bee Gees--to me they're a pop group who got lucky with a handful of records people could dance to.

Still, I'm glad someone is finally making the effort to honor disco... excuse me, dance music; after all, it looks like even Donna Summer will never get nominated to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So maybe if this idea takes off, future lists will include names like Costandinos, Linda Clifford and Lime. (Just kidding about that last one. :lol: )

I'll get off my soapbox now to offer my choices:

Performer: Donna Summer (duh)
Producers: Moroder & Bellotte (I didn't get into disco music until about 1977, so I was unfamiliar with a lot of Gamble & Huff's work.)
Records: "I Feel Love" "Shame" "Don't Leave Me This Way"
Remixer: Tom Moulton, the obvious choice, in the best way

By the way, the press release announcing the awards said three performers, one producer, one remixer, five songs and three DJs would be inducted this year; I'm not sure if that was noted earlier in this thread.

[markydefad]

Well, I understand the testiness about the failure to use the word "DISCO"---but remember, at some point in the early 1980s--the word was retired and the term became "DANCE". At some point in the future, these awards will be bestowed to the likes of Madonna & Prince...and the term "DISCO" will not be appropriate.

As for the predictibility of the nominees--I was actually quite suprised to see Kraftwerk in there--not an obvious choice, I'd say. Let's face it, you start with the CLASSICS... AND they chose CLASSICS. When AFI started their Lifetime Achievement Awards--they started with the pioneers of the artform--thus the likes of Alfred Hitchcock & Orson Welles got recognition before Clint Eastwood & Jack Nicholson. Get the picture?

[DevP]

First of all thanks to Bernie for posting this wonderful information. I'm very excited about The Dance Music Hall Of Fame. I have always dream of something like this happening but I never thought it would. I think it's about time some of these legendary artist who don't get the recoginition they deserve will finally have a chance to be honored. And I think it's a great idea to call it the Dance Music Hall Of Fame and not just the Disco Music Hall Of Fame, since Disco evolved into many different forms of dance music.

As for my choices, it was just to hard to pick one from each because most, if not all, deserve there spot in the DMHF. So any of the following artist/songs/producers/DJ's are, IMHO, worthy of the honor.

Artist:

Barry White - The most memorable voice of the disco/soul era of the 70's.

Bee Gees - Help brought disco from underground to mainstream world.

Chic - Created a unique disco sound that even rock legends couldn't resist. Included the greatest guitarist, bassist and drummer in disco music history and among the best in the rock era.

Donna Summer - In addtions to all the obvious reasons (great singer/songwriter/producer/discoqueen/etc) but also because the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame has "shamefully" ignored this true legend.

Gloria Gaynor - As tired as some may feel about "I Will Survive" it is not only one of the greatest disco songs but one of the greatest period. Also Mrs. Gaynor was a pioneer in the disco movement.

KC & The Sunshine Band - Not only did they bring dance music to a certain level with their own sound, they did it with other artist as well. (George McCrae, Teri DeSario, Jimmy Bo Horne, Betty Wright, etc.)

The Trammps - Like with Mrs. Gaynor, they were pioneers. There music was mostly all about dancing.

Songs:

Don't Leave Me This Way/Thelma Houston - Although the lyrics weren't about dancing it always got people moving every time Mrs. Houston soulful voice with start humming at the beginning of the song.

Fly, Robin, Fly/Silver Convention - It was among the first disco songs to go all the way to #1 on the pop charts.

Got To Be Real/Cheryl Lynn - This song is as good today as it was when it was release in late 78'. Case in point: I was at a Keith Sweat/En Vogue/Isley Brothers/New Edition concert in Madison Square Garden last year and during an intermission this song came on and the entire Garden cheered and started singing to it. It gets everyone moving regardless of what there doing and that's what good dance music should do.

Honeybee/Never Can Say Goodbye/Reach Out, I'll Be There/Gloria Gaynor - It was the first meanstream song(s) to feature uninterrupted club play which became legendary in radio and club play.

Producers:

This is impossibly to choice. Kenneth Gable & Leon Huff/Giorgio Moroder & Pete Bellotte/Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards produced some of the greatest music of all time. So I say all six of them should be honored on the first go round of the DMHF.

Remixers:

All are good choices but Tom Moulton is the greatest.

DJ's:

To hard to choice, all are legends.

DevP

[originalbigm]

Well since this is the first I would be getting back to pioneers of the field.

Artist-Barry White,A master of melody and orchestration.

Song-HoneyBee/Never Can Say Goodbye/Reach Out.Agree with Graham on this one.It was the Ferrari on the Autobahn of the disco movement.

Producers-Gamble/Huff, Unsurpassable in those years

Remixers-Tom Moulton .One of the most prolific and identifiable of the lot.

DJ's- David Mancuso because he was one of the very first profiled DJ's before the art of mixing had emerged.Just great music sense.

[NickNack]

As excited as I am that this organization has formed and is up and running, I'll stick to my guns and join Jussi in my disagreement with the choice of "DANCE". To me it doesn't make sense here. Every nominee and nomination on this list, except for soul-brother #1, JB :) , is from what most of us would agree is 'THE DISCO ERA'. The songs received extensive club play, the producers worked with disco artists, the remixers proudly had their work stamped '12" DiscoMix' and the DJs were all working discotheques, not radio. What else is this supposed to be about? Until we learn what boundaries or guidelines 'DMHOF' has established, I find the word 'Dance' too broad. How far back do we go? 70s / 80s only? 60s Motown? 40s Big Band? Roaring 20s? Is 'house' in and 'techno' out? What about Jazz and Swing and Rave or the great Latin influence? Yes? No? Maybe? Somebody better decide because it's all dance.

Our friend, Maarten, said it a long time ago: All these labels are going to ruin us. :roll:

[paul]

Excellent point Nicky. The fact that they would not say "Disco" confirms some negative stereotype by some, despite the fact that their list is as you stated a disco list. If it's "dance" where are the square dancing artist or the reggae artist, or polka...you get my drift.

[Bernie]

It's interesting to read everyone's choices from the nominee's list, but especially the comments about the organization's name.

After reading some of these I felt I needed to perhaps provide more information regarding this. The name, "Disco Hall of Fame" was already taken having been trademarked by Marty Angelo of Disco Step By Step for his future awards.

As was mentioned, the Dance Music Hall of Fame appears to be modeled after the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. This new organization wants to cover the whole genre and be relevant for years to come while still having the balls to acknowledge Disco music and its tremendous contributions to the ongoing world of music. What's funny is that they are getting flack from the House music spectrum for being too Disco! It's a balancing act for sure and I am happy that they are making a sincere effort to make this work for everyone.

I firmly believe that Disco never died or went away and simply changed with the times as Rock has done. At the same time I understand full well that the organizers of the Dance Music Hall of Fame have to make a viable organization that will survive. They could have taken the easy way out and just made one token category for "oldies, dance classics... aka Disco" and concentrate on what makes them the most money-today's House music. They didn't and instead every nominee is from the Disco era. Nothing is ever perfect, but this is a great start and one that is long overdue. Let's give these people some positive vibes and let them know that we appreciate their efforts to publicly acknowledge Disco's founders in a lasting tribute via these awards.

[Com King]

First here are my pics :

Artist : CHIC

Song : SOUL MAKOSSA

Producers : Nile RODGERS & Bernard EDWARDS

Remixer ; TOM MOULTON

DJ : Unfortunately I'm not able to choose one.


If it's a Dance Hall of Fame, Why is there not a single House Artist/Producer/Song/DJ ?

No Frankie knuckles, no Ron Hardy, No Mysteries of Love by mr Fingers, no Farley Jackmaster Funk ?

It's quite surprising.
This is definitely a Disco Hall of Fame, or an unfair Dance Hall of Fame (I've heard of a guy called Michael Jackson that is maybe the Number One Dance artist of all time, how could they forget him?)

Com King

NB: BTW I'm also surprised that EWF does not appear in the list of artists. They definitely deserve it.

[Bernie]

Quote:


The Dance Music Hall of Fame will recognize the contributions of those who have had a significant impact on the evolution and development of dance music and will celebrate the history and significance of dance music. Artists and others that helped shape the dance music industry become eligible for induction 25 years after their first contribution or record release. Criteria include the influence and significance of the nominee's contributions to the development and perpetuation of dance music.

[Com King]

Thanks bernie, now it's clear for me.

[NickNack]

Hey. I don't want anyone to think I'm throwing 'shade', a/k/a bad vibes :) . I was just seriously confused when I saw the list of nominations. Sooo Disco, yet no mention of the word. (I know, I'm picky. :roll: ) Well, that 25-year criteria explains the omission of more recent artists. Guess I'll have to take the 'wait and see' approach as the years progress and see where the organization goes. (That's right -- think positive. DMHOF will survive!)

Bernie's right --- it's a start. (FINALLY, it has happened to me... :D ). Confusion aside, they've got my full support.

[John Parker]

One of our goals with this Dance music Hall of Fame was to create talk and I can see it's working. :)

To answer the question on "Disco" vs "Dance", we did debate it but I felt very strongly about this not being called the "Disco" hall of fame. In a few years time we will be moving on to other genres of dance (80's were big on Freestyle and House Music to name a few) and then what would we do? Not to mention that Marty Angelo already has the "Disco Music Hall of Fame" pretty much covered.

We have received a couple of complaints about some of the nominees but I will say that these are the people that the Board(s) felt were the pioneers and the most influencial from 1978 and before. This isn't necessarily about who had the biggest hits. It's about the influence one had to further the genre. To me, that's what being a pioneer means.

I actually had one person e-mail me asking where the "White" artists are (I guess Kraftwerk, KC and the Bee Gees don't count) and who knows who MFSB is anyways. It takes all kinds.

We also are not trying to cover "Dance" from the 60's or before. Consider what we are interested in focusing on, the Modern Era of Dance. The early 70's to the present.

I would like to thank you for your support and devotion to dance music and our mission.

As always, your comments are welcome. I do check in on this board a couple of times a week and when I can remember my password, I post. :) But you can also feel free to e-mail me or the Hall Board at info@dmhof.com

Thanks,

John Parker
Robbins Entertainment & the Dance Music Hall of Fame

[paul]

Well John. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I am still of the opinion however that it should be called "Disco" as opposed to "Dance." I still believe there is a residue of dislike for the "D" word that keeps people from embracing it. The argument you used about the changing styles of music falls apart when you look at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Modern rock and roll is far removed from it's origins which were based on black performers like Bo Didley. The inductees I've heard of lately for the R&R Hall of Fame cover R&B and modern Rock.
Why not the same for Disco? Much of what followed traditional disco for example, Hi Energy, Rap, Hip Hop, House, etc. had their roots in Disco!