The Fall of Disco?

[pygmalion]

When I was little, there were images of discoteque dancers everywhere -- psychodelic music, go-go dancers, you name it. My big brother and sisters did their fair share of disco dancing. Then along came the hustle, and disco was "revived" and grew to the point where it was an international phenomenon.

As you would expect, the popularity of hustle waned in time. Now, when you see references to disco dancing on the web, it's almost always in the context of hustle. (Disclaimer: all this is my opinion)

Anyway, so here we are in 2004. And my question to you is, has disco died? Is it dormant? Or has it just evolved into something new? What do you think?

[Sagitta]

Disco hasn't died. There are people everywhere who do it. What I've noticed, though is that it isn't as popular as it was becak then, with other dances such as hip hop attracting the young crowd.

[peachexploration]

Hmmmm. I wonder if Trance can be classified as new age disco.......
The thriving continuing beat of trance and disco seems closely related to me....

[Sagitta]

Hmmmm. I wonder if Trance can be classified as new age disco.......
The thriving continuing beat of trance and disco seems closely related to me....

The disco of the 21st century!! :wink: :)

[Genesius Redux]

When I was a tot, the byword was "disco sucks," and disco was referred to as a music, not a dance. Everyone with musical integrity was listening to like, Led Zep and stuff. It wasn't until after I started dancing that I found the appeal of disco. But still not as a music. As a music, I think it is very mercifully dead. Do we really need to revisit "A Fifth of Beethoven"? I don't think so....

There were bright spots--the Village People, for instance, are still a lot of fun. And the hustle did revive a flagging ballroom industry in the 70s. So I guess good comes from all things! :D

[Sagitta]

It wasn't until after I started dancing that I found the appeal of disco. But still not as a music. As a music, I think it is very mercifully dead. Do we really need to revisit "A Fifth of Beethoven"? I don't think so....

There were bright spots--the Village People, for instance, are still a lot of fun. And the hustle did revive a flagging ballroom industry in the 70s. So I guess good comes from all things! :D

Since you found the appeal of disco what do you dance to it?

I personally mix in some partner dancing along with disco. Throw in some turns etc etc...

[Genesius Redux]

Oh--hustle, usually, though I've not focused on it as a dance. Mostly the things that I do in hustle are modified from swing, cha cha, etc.

I do like bringing in music from the 70s, though, which has a kind of kitschy charm. I almost bought a CD of "Disco Madness" or something like that, with Donna Summer, and Andy Gibb, and the Village People. But in the end, I couldn't bring myself to actually add that to a collection of like, Stravinsky and John Coltrane and Robert Johnson.... :wink:

(The music that I bring in, I borrow, BTW!)

Oh, and almost forgot! I was surprised when I went to Europe for the second time in the late 1980s, there were so many discotheques playing this old 70s music--like the theme from "Rocky" and stuff. Especially in Germany.

[pelao]

Disco did 'evolve' into something thats still popular today. This new version of disco has been around since the days when disco started to die off. You will find this music on the radio and at all the hottest clubs today.

Its called House. Im sure most of you know this. Its probably the most popular form of [electronic] dance music. It started in the Chicago underground gay scene and spread all over the u.s. underground and to europe (mostly uk rave scene - it was more successful here than in the u.s.) quickly. In the u.s. it had such an impact in underground dance culture, that in Detroit, it was one of the reasons for creation of 'techno' (although, techno gets a huge amount of its influence from old european [namely german] electronic music [e.g. - Kraftwerk]). Then from there it spread to NY causing another genre of music to be created - Garage (there's also a sub-genre of house called ny house). In l.a., another sub-genre was created, which we call LA House. It also impacted france heavily to the point where there was another [unofficial?] sub-genre called French house which have a very funky/disco style. Another huge sub-genre was acid house which originated in chicago around the time house was born.

Acid house impacted the uk very heavily in the rave scene. It was so huge, that it [undoubtedly] strengthened the rave scene and made it grow. Acid house was a huge influence on a new genre of dance music that spawned during the uk rave scene called - Hardcore. This will always be one of the most significant forms of dance music from the rave scene. Almost every uk raver from the late 80s to early 90s, when asked about music and raves from that time, will recall Hardcore (and acid house of course; although, there were many other genres of music played).

So, yes, House is and has been the new form of disco for more than two decades.

[pygmalion]

The first I ever heard of house was in the mid-eighties or so. I had a friend, Blair, who DJ'd. A lot of the stuff he played was more on the R&B side, but still house. (If I think a while, I may be able to remember some of the artists.) I didn't realize house was still such a force. But yes, it's been around a long time. 8)

Thanks, pelao. :D

[peachexploration]

....... electronic music [e.g. - Kraftwerk]). .......

Absolutely love this group! Favorites are "Trans Europe Express", "Numbers" and "It's More Fun to Compute". They have an awesome interactive website. 8)

[pygmalion]

Oh! I feel a google coming on! :lol:

[peachexploration]

Oh! I feel a google coming on! :lol: :lol: :lol:

They have some other cool remixes on the site as well. I really like DJ Rolando's and Underground Resistance. Pretty cool. 8)

[pygmalion]

Needless to say, I've already been to the site. It's cool. The background music on the home page really grabs you. I'll have to go back and peruse at my leisure. 8)

[youngsta]

Disco did 'evolve' into something thats still popular today. This new version of disco has been around since the days when disco started to die off. You will find this music on the radio and at all the hottest clubs today.

Its called House. Im sure most of you know this. Its probably the most popular form of [electronic] dance music. It started in the Chicago underground gay scene and spread all over the u.s. underground and to europe (mostly uk rave scene - it was more successful here than in the u.s.) quickly. In the u.s. it had such an impact in underground dance culture, that in Detroit, it was one of the reasons for creation of 'techno' (although, techno gets a huge amount of its influence from old european [namely german] electronic music [e.g. - Kraftwerk]). Then from there it spread to NY causing another genre of music to be created - Garage (there's also a sub-genre of house called ny house). In l.a., another sub-genre was created, which we call LA House. It also impacted france heavily to the point where there was another [unofficial?] sub-genre called French house which have a very funky/disco style. Another huge sub-genre was acid house which originated in chicago around the time house was born.

Acid house impacted the uk very heavily in the rave scene. It was so huge, that it [undoubtedly] strengthened the rave scene and made it grow. Acid house was a huge influence on a new genre of dance music that spawned during the uk rave scene called - Hardcore. This will always be one of the most significant forms of dance music from the rave scene. Almost every uk raver from the late 80s to early 90s, when asked about music and raves from that time, will recall Hardcore (and acid house of course; although, there were many other genres of music played).

So, yes, House is and has been the new form of disco for more than two decades.
THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU!! Somebody else that has obviously witnessed or worshipped in Jack's House! I grew up with hip-hop from its infancy. It is a part of my very being. But I was introduced to house in Baltimore in '86 and slowly but surely was sucked HEAVILY into the scene. From 88-92 House pretty much ruled the mid-atlantic area (NY-VA). It is the child of disco. Disco NEVER died, just went underground. Now different genres of House more closely resemble the parent than others. Techno, Gabber, Jungle, Progressive, Tribal, Trance...sometimes it's hard to hear the connection. But with Garage, Acid, and ironically enough Disco House it's right smack in your face. A 4/4 beat with heavy bassline and layered arrangements. Doesn't get any better than that!! :D (Sorry, just the House DJ in me speaking!!)

[pygmalion]

Speak some more. You obviously have a lot you can share. Share as much as you want. :D

[pelao]

you know what youngsta, you actually brought up one genre that I do dj (apart from latin music) - jungle/drum'n'bass. Although jungle was a direct spawning of hardcore, and hardcore spawned from house; house always has, and still to this day, influences jungle. I also like spinning house every once in a while on the side. I am so into that funky/disco stuff. Laden with soulful vocals. It just gets me going inside.

p.s. - Can't forget about some of that old funk from the 60s and 70s! One of my favs is from some locals (Houston) - Archie Bell and the Drells - Tighten Up. pure hotness!

[pygmalion]

:banana:

Archie Bell and the Drells! What!!! :D

There's a whole thread on the Tighten Up (the dance, not just the song) What a small world. I cannot believe this. :D

[pelao]

yeah, its some good stuff. Texas funk bands were hot man. I'm gonna try to get me a comp. called "Texas Funk". It feature all sorts of texas funk groups - some who never even got very popular outside texas. But still, top quality stuff. Ironically, it has to be imported from the UK.

I also, always wanted to see the tighten up dance done. I gotta ask some of the older black folks round here about that some day so I can see it.

[youngsta]

House definitely influences DnB, hope I didn't sound like I didn't think that. I used to have a residency DJing Garage/Progressive for the most part although I'd always sneak in some disco house gems (the crowd reaction was amazing! Check out 'Can't get high without you' - Joey Negro...the track is just sick!) There's no way I could forget about the 60's and 70's funk! As a matter of fact one of the first House tracks that really hit me was a remix of Vicki Anderson & James Brown - "Think"

I am so into that funky/disco stuff. Laden with soulful vocals. It just gets me going inside.
I LIVE for it man!!

[pygmalion]

I'll have to start a thread one of these days for favorite funk artists. James Brown? Oh yeah. Some of his stuff is so cliched (and spoofed) these days, but back in the day, he was the man! And then, of course, there's Mr. Clinton and all his artists. The man looks really strange, but he was a visionary.

[salsachinita]

:lol: As a teenager during the 80's (besides commercial R&B) I was into the trashiest Euro disco. Some of the stuff were so hard to find I ended up hangin' at this underground record store where the DJs were & trying to absorb as much info as I could. This was before I was old enough to go clubbing, and my dream was to become a DJ 8) (of course no one took me seriously......being a young girl in the 80's sucked :roll: )!

Then salsa changed my whole world.

To this day, I still own a huge collection of trashy Euro disco vinyls..... not sure what to do with them....... :?

[Mich]

Toot toot, Beep beep!

I was moritifed when I saw my parents dancing disco many years ago. And then I was very impressed and proud.

I love 70's music. And I am still learning and practicing hustle. When it works, it's wonderful. It's my second favorite dance, behind cha cha.
Keeping the syncopation with your partner is tough but lots of fun.

What's the step for trance??

[Sagitta]

What's the step for trance??

I've never heard of a step for trance. I always thought it referred to the music.

[pelao]

yea, trance is only a genre; there really is no step for these types of dance music. Usually, you'll just see people doing various steps and body movements. But it also differs between age groups and event settings. At raves its a little more wild, and theres just so many younger kids there, they really don't realize that you don't have to jump around like a baboon to express yourself (i've seen them wild out to some mellow tunes also). Usually, at clubs, you'll find a much older crowd; they usually like a more mellow style of dancing where you have a fluid motion in your body, and the stepping is minimal - its really about how you move your body, rather than your steps.

[Phil Owl]

THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU!! Somebody else that has obviously witnessed or worshipped in Jack's House! I grew up with hip-hop from its infancy. It is a part of my very being. But I was introduced to house in Baltimore in '86 and slowly but surely was sucked HEAVILY into the scene. From 88-92 House pretty much ruled the mid-atlantic area (NY-VA). It is the child of disco. Disco NEVER died, just went underground. Now different genres of House more closely resemble the parent than others. Techno, Gabber, Jungle, Progressive, Tribal, Trance...sometimes it's hard to hear the connection. But with Garage, Acid, and ironically enough Disco House it's right smack in your face. A 4/4 beat with heavy bassline and layered arrangements. Doesn't get any better than that!! :D (Sorry, just the House DJ in me speaking!!)

This Owl seconds that, being a more recent convert to House or at least a couple of its sub-genres (Deep and Jazz-House :D ) House is great to do hustle to (some House tunes even lend themselves to a killer Samba if one is inclined), the sparser arrangemens are so cool.

On my dance webpage, I offered a few thoughts as to Disco's fall:

www.geocities.com/theowlwatches/owldances.html

[MagicFeet]

Nice to see that some of you have real knowledge of music. All that Pelao and Youngsta have said is right on !!

I used to be a DJ in nightclubs in the 70's during the height of the Disco area and remember well the day where Disco was officailly declared "dead". Most of us DJ were wondering what would happen to our jobs, would clubs close etc. But in actuality, none of us ever stopped working due to the fall out of Disco. As mentioned previously, House has been the replacement and as Youngsta pointed out, Disco House is as close as you can get to the old style Disco. If anyone of you is curious, and you live in a city big enough to have a shop for DJ, just walk in and ask for the section for Disco House, you will be amazed to see the selection .. and oh, by the way, be prepared to see vinyl again!!

I always said that Disco, and still to this day, has some of the most original beats that you can find ... Even as a DJ, almost 30 years ago, I used to love the Disco beat ... I just could have done without the lyrics!!
So next time that you hear an old Disco classic, try to just listen to the instrumental part ... block off the lyrics and you will find some of the best dance beats !!

MagicFeet

[etchuck]

If you get a chance, watch "When Disco Ruled the World" on VH1. Certainly I got much more music appreciation/history lesson from that, which is gladly repeated here (albeit here with more detail).

[Neil]

Are any of you familiar with the music that DJ Bobby Morales or New York plays for Hustle dancers? It's some kind of house music, I guess. He says the music is all new. It has the right rhythm for dancing hustle, but it also sounds kind of boring, like royalty free music. Maybe the only problem is that I'm not used to hearing them yet. I know that a lot of people who specialize in Hustle dance, especially the ones who have been doing it for thirty years, have gotten tired of the classic disco sounds that were popular back in the day, but I still like them.

[pygmalion]

You know. Ever since I started this thread, I've been listening to "dance" radio stations both locally and on XM satellite radio. You know what? Hustle is alive and well. :shock: I'm guessing a lot of newbies (i.e. people under forty lol) don't know the steps. But the music is definitely hustle-worthy. I assume it's 21st century house I'm listening to. 8)

[peachexploration]

....... electronic music [e.g. - Kraftwerk]). .......

Absolutely love this group! Favorites are "Trans Europe Express", "Numbers" and "It's More Fun to Compute". They have an awesome interactive website. 8)

Gee whiz! It's amazing what you find when you dig through your CDs. I had forgotten I had "Precious Little Fantansy" by Precious. Came out around Summer 2000. It has Kraftwerk's "Number" in the track. Updated dance version. I love this. Jammin' in my office chair now. Go Peach! Yeah, Yeah Aha...Go Peach! :banana: Oh sorry....Ahem...., back to work. :oops: 8)

[Vince A]

As far as I can tell . . . "Disco is alive and well."

There is a local Valley station here, 101.2, that plays nothing but disco, and at least 90% of the music is Hustleable!

I was one of those "stage" dancers back in those days!

I bet if I looked in some old unpacked boxes, I could find some of those "City Limits" pants, polyester shirts, and some old platform shoes - what goes around comes back around . . . well, at least they're good for Halloween costumes!!!!!!!!!!!

[Adwiz]

I was one of those "stage" dancers back in those days!

:lol: Me too! When I first met my wife, I was one of those arrogant types in the white suit who would get on the dance floor and everyone would clear it to see the solo and clap with the beat <hangs head in shame>.

We would watch the Solid Gold dancers on TV show us new dance moves every week and practice them like crazy so that when we got back to the club it would look like the step was old news.

While the Disco experience was pretty cool, the music was for the most part overly predictable. House music isn't nearly as bad in this regard. What killed Disco, however, was not so much the music as it was society's over-emphasis. Suddenly everything was disco. Every television ad, clothing styles and movies tried to get in on the action and that overexposure turned it into a mainstream fad that killed the whole thing as people distanced themselves from the stereotype.

There was a great exhibit at Seattle's Experience Music Project (http://www.emplive.com/) museum on Disco last summer. Even had a dance floor and you could try your hand at mixing the music as a DJ. Pretty cool. The exhibit went into all the cultural issues and did a great job of explaining why Disco died such a cruel death.

The exhibit also pointed out that many of today's Latin dances, especially Salsa, Cha Cha and Samba (the Hustle lives on unchanged), basically got their start during the Disco era. In that sense, Disco carries on, subdued but still vibrant.

[pygmalion]

What killed Disco, however, was not so much the music as it was society's over-emphasis. Suddenly everything was disco. Every television ad, clothing styles and movies tried to get in on the action and that overexposure turned it into a mainstream fad that killed the whole thing as people distanced themselves from the stereotype.


I thought it was the BeeGees that killed disco. :wink: :lol: :lol:

[Vince A]

I agree, Adwiz, Disco is still around . . . even the music! Sometimes I hear our two teens listening to the radio . . . to old disco stuff!

The Hustle I did back then was a solo performance . . . today it's a couple dance . . . however, our 'swing-type' dance that we did back then strongly resembles the Hustle of today!