1970s Disco
Elizabeth Davis
Central Question
The genre contained elements of funk, soul, pop, and salsa. It initially appealed to club-goers of the
- Gay community
- African American community
- Italian American community
- Latino community
The sexual innuendos and tones of the genre aided in the popularity of the music.
After the song's release, it was a subject of controversy because of the disco sound. People claimed that the band was "selling out" and making a decline in their career. In all reality, it was quite the opposite, "Heart of Glass" became a huge hit and helped propel Blondie from a cult group to mainstream icons.
Opposition to Disco
Disco Demolition Night
In the middle of the event, a crate filled with disco records was blown up on the field between games. Many of the attendees had come to see the explosion rather than the baseball games. The audience rushed onto the field after detonation and remained there until dispersed by riot police. The playing field was damaged both by the explosion and by the rowdy fans to the point where the White Sox were required to forfeit the game.
Steve Dahl, an anti-disco campaigner promoted the event. Many records were also thrown from the stands like flying discs.
Some scholars and disco artists have described the event as an expression of racism and homophobia.