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Disco

 
 

Description of Disco

 
Shedding the political themes and global concerns that charged 1960s rock, Disco emerged in the '70s as a pure form of dance-based music. Heavy beats and strong grooves tend to stand above all other elements. Producers like Giorgio Moroder and Van "The Hustle" McCoy manned the boards -- and in some cases performed -- on numerous hits. Most Disco records were cut specifically for clubs to maintain an anonymous, free-spirited vibe. Exceptions to this rule included Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, and KC & the Sunshine Band; Disco acts that invaded the pop charts as the style's popularity peaked. Disco dissolved in the '80s, but its influence is still felt strongly in subgenres like Dance Pop, House and Techno.
 

Filed Under

 
Soul/R&B  >  Disco
 

Disco Key Artists

 
Anita Ward

One-time Disco diva and
soprano Anita Ward hit pay
dirt in the '70s with the
perennial dance favorite
"Ring My Bell."

Barry White

A legendary love jam
specialist, Barry White's
vast catalog has been
rampantly sampled for its
impeccable grooves. Barr...

Bee Gees

Although the Bees Gees
have donned many musical
styles in their four-decade
career, they'll always be
synonymous with Disco. "...

Chic

Chic were the highly
successful Disco band
undertaken by guitarist Nile
Rodgers and bassist Bernard
Edwards. Chic brought Dis...

Donna Summer

Disco's enduring diva gave
us such luscious dance hits
as "Love to Love You Baby"
with the help of producer
Giorgio Moroder. Her real...

Evelyn Champagne King

This Disco diva was just 18
when her breakout hit
"Shame" hit the Top-40,
peaking at the ninth spot.

Giorgio Moroder

Film scorer and electronic
dance music pioneer,
Moroder is best known as
the producer behind Donna
Summer's disco success....

Gloria Gaynor

Blessed with an
unstoppable voice and
some good songs, Gaynor
became a defining voice of
the Disco era with "I Will S...

KC & the Sunshine Band

These dedicated funksters
crafted some of the Disco
era's defining dance hits,
including "That's the Way (I
Like It)." KC is Harry Wayn...

Rose Royce

They took us to the Car
Wash and back, but Rose
Royce was more than just a
Disco outfit -- they never
forgot the Funk. Rose Roy...

Sister Sledge

The Disco sister outfit
scored big with "We Are
Family" in 1979, and they've
been dining out on that hit
ever since.

Tavares

A true brother act (five of
'em!) and a '70s pop
sensation thanks to songs
such as "Heaven Must Be
Missing An Angel." In 1963,...

The Trammps

Philly Soul denizens the
Trammps brought class to
Disco and gained
immortality with "Disco
Inferno."

The Weather Girls

This duo dared to venture
outside when it was raining
men, and lived to sing about
it. Weather Girl Martha Wash
went on to work as a sess...

Van McCoy

A writer/producer for
artists including Peaches
and Herb and Jackie
Wilson, McCoy rewrote
dancefloor rules with "Th...

Village People

Macho men and Disco faves,
the VP made stereotypical
gay culture marginally
acceptable and YMCAs
extremely fashionable.

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