Happy New Years!! We’re kicking off the new year with Disco! A genre with a rich subculture that all started in the US/UK during 70s and thrived (pretty much) til the 80s. Disco has many origins– its name comes from “discotheque,” the French word for nightclub. 
In NYC, DJ David Mancuso would host private dance parties in his home (“The Loft”). Where he would play various records from various genres. The song “Soul Makossa” by Manu Dibango became popular after being played at every party hosted by Mancuso. 
Disco is very unique as it is a genre that has been curated entirely by DJs– the disco sound comes from all over the world as DJs just played what sounded cool, what could be remixed, and (most importantly) what kept people dancing. 
Disco is defined by four-on-the-floor beats, orchestra instruments, club culture (Studio 54 was the place to be– constantly full of celebrities), its glamorous fashion, drug use, and so much more. 
Despite Disco’s mainstream success, many people despised it. Partly the younger generation disliked the way it took attention away from rock music, as many rock stations became disco stations. The US political climate is also sometimes attributed to the fall of disco. There was a push back to conservatism, rampant homophobia and racism. 
July 12, 1979 is “the day disco died.” At a White Sox game in Chicago, Bill Veeck (the White Sox’s owner’s son) held an anti-disco demonstration in between games with Steve Dahl who was recently fired from a radio station that converted from rock to disco. At center field, many disco records where shattered and burned. This lead to a riot where people began vandalizing the venue (ripping up seats, burning the turf). This lead to the White Sox forfeiting the next game. As well as disco instantly fading out of the mainstream.
Disco still lives on, with a revival in every decade. It’s musical styles are still very prevalent in pop, rave music, electronic, house, etc.

I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor
I Feel Love- Donna Summer
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)- ABBA
Got To Give It Up (Pt. 1)- Marvin Gaye
Soul Makossa- Manu Dibango
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough- Michael Jackson
Heart Of Glass- Blondie
Stayin’ Alive- Bee Gees
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart- Elton John, Kiki Dee
September- Earth, Wind & Fire
Y.M.C.A.- Village People
I’ve Seen That Face Before (Libertango)- Grace Jones
Kiss- Prince
Le Freak- CHIC
I’m Coming Out- Diana Ross
Love To Love You Baby- Donna Summer
Let’s Dance- David Bowie
Back Chat- Queen
Sunny- Boney M.
Murder On The Dancefloor- Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Can’t Get You out of My Head- Kylie Minogue
Get Lucky (Radio Edit)- Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers