Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco

by Peter Shapiro

  1994. Terrace chants to the tune of the Village People’s “Go West” echo across European football/soccer stadiums.

  November 17, 1999. Disco is enshrined by the U.S. Postal Service with a disco stamp.

  DISCOGRAPHY

  1. THE ROTTEN APPLE

  Abaco Dream. “Life and Death in G & A,” 1969, A&M 1081.

  Ace Spectrum. “Keep Holding On,” 1975, Atlantic DSKO60.

  Afrique. “Soul Makossa,” 1973, Mainstream 5542.

  All Directions. “Soul Makossa,” 1973, Buddah 362.

  Anderson Brothers. “I Can See Him Loving You,” 1974, GSF GS003.

  Hank Ballard and the Midnighters. “The Twist,” 1960, King 5171.

  Darrell Banks. “Open the Door to Your Heart,” 1966, Revilot RV201.

  Barrabas. Barrabas, 1972, RCA APL10219.

  _____. “Mellow Blow,” 1975, Atlantic DSKO56.

  J. J. Barnes. “Our Love Is in the Pocket,” 1969, Revilot RV222.

  Rose Batiste. “Hit & Run,” 1966, Revilot RV204.

  Biddu Orchestra. “Summer of ’42,” 1975, Epic 50139.

  _____. “Blue Eyed Soul” from Blue Eyed Soul, 1975, Epic 80836.

  _____. “I Could Have Danced All Night”/“Jump For Joy,” 1976, Epic 50173.

  _____. “Rain Forest,” 1976, Epic 4084.

  Black Blood. “AIE (A’Mwana)” from Chicano, 1975, Biram 6325634.

  Genie Brown. “I Can’t Stop Talking” from A Woman Alone, 1973, Dunhill/ABC DSX50155.

  James Brown. “Night Train,” 1962, King 5614.

  _____. “(Get Up I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine,” 1970, King 6318.

  _____. “Hot Pants (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants),” 1971, People 2501.

  Polly Brown. “Up in a Puff of Smoke,” 1975, GTO 1002.

  B.T. Express. “Do It (’Til You’re Satisfied),” 1974, Scepter 12395.

  Buari. “Advice from Father” from Buari, 1975, RCA APL11045.

  John Cage. Imaginary Landscape No. 1 from Early Modulations: Vintage Volts, 1997, Caipirinha CAI2027.

  Calhoon. “(Do You Wanna) Dance Dance Dance,” 1975, Warner Bros. PRO601.

  Carstairs, The. “It Really Hurts Me Girl,” 1973, Red Coach 802.

  Ralph Carter. “When You’re Young and in Love,” 1975, Mercury 73695.

  Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys. “Track in ‘A’ (Nebraska Nights)” from The Street Giveth … and the Street Taketh Away, 1969, Polydor 244001.

  Tina Charles. “I Love to Love (But My Baby Loves to Dance),” 1976, CBS 3937.

  Chubby Checker. “The Twist,” 1960, Parkway 811.

  _____. “(At the) Discotheque,” 1965, Parkway 949.

  Chicago Transit Authority. “I’m a Man” from Chicago Transit Authority, 1969, Columbia GP8.

  Cooley High, 1975, Motown 7840.

  Joey Dee & the Starliters. “Peppermint Twist,” 1961, Roulette 4401.

  Detroit Emeralds. “Feel the Need in Me,” 1972, Westbound 209.

  Manu Dibango. “Soul Makossa,” 1973, Atlantic 2971.

  Diga Rhythm Band. “Sweet Sixteen” from Diga Rhythm Band, 1976, Round Records RX110.

  Disco Par-r-r-ty, 1974, Spring SPR6705.

  Disco Tex & His Sex-O-Lettes. “Get Dancin’,” 1974, Chelsea 3004.

  Doobie Brothers, The. “Long Train Runnin’,” 1973, Warner Bros. 7698.

  Doors, The. “The End” from The Doors, 1967, Elektra EKS74007.

  Double Exposure. “Ten Percent,” 1976, Salsoul 12D2008.

  Carl Douglas. “Kung Fu Fighting,” 1974, 20th Century 2140.

  Al Downing. “I’ll Be Holding On,” 1975, Chess 2158.

  Don Downing. “Dream World,” 1974, Scepter 12397.

  Elephant’s Memory. “Mongoose” from Take It to the Streets, Metromedia 182, 1970.

  Equals, The. “Baby, Come Back”/“Hold Me Closer,” RCA Victor 9583, 1968.

  _____. “Black Skin Blue-Eyed Boys,” 1970, President PT325.

  _____. “Funky Like a Train,” 1976, Mercury 6007106.

  Exuma. “Exuma, the Obeah Man,” 1970, Mercury 73084.

  First Choice. “This Is the House (Where Love Died),” 1972, Scepter 12347.

  5000 Volts. “I’m on Fire,” 1975, Philips 40801.

  Flamingos, The. “The Boogaloo Party,” 1966, Philips 40347.

  Foundations, The. “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You,” 1967, Uni 55038.

  _____. “Build Me Up Buttercup,” 1969, Uni 55101.

  James Fountain. “Seven Day Lover,” 1976, Cream CRM5002.

  Four Tops. “What Is a Man”/“Don’t Bring Back Memories,” 1969, Motown 1147.

  _____. “Still Water (Love)/Still Water (Peace),” 1970, Motown 1170.

  Boris Gardiner Happening, The. “Melting Pot” from Is What’s Happening, 1973, Dynamic Sounds DYLP3330.

  Gloria Gaynor. Never Can Say Goodbye, 1975, MGM 2315.

  Gaytones, The. “Soul Makossa,” 1973, Action 4610.

  J. Geils Band, The. “Give It to Me,” 1973, Atlantic 2953.

  Merle Haggard. “Okie From Muskogee,” 1969, Capitol 26260.

  Brenda Holloway. “Just Look What You’ve Done,” 1967, Tamla 54148.

  Loleatta Holloway. “Hit and Run,” 1977, Gold Mind 12G4006.

  Marvin Holmes & Justice. “You Better Keep Her,” 1974, Brown Door 6576.

  Iron Butterfly. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” from In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, 1968, Atco SD33250.

  Johnny Johnson & the Bandwagon. “Breakin’ Down the Walls of Heartache,” 1968, Epic 24657.

  _____. “(Blame it on the) Pony Express,” 1970, Bell 1128.

  Syl Johnson. “We Did It,” 1973, Hi 2229.

  Eddie Kendricks. “Girl You Need a Change of Mind” from People … Hold On, 1973, Motown 11213.

  Simon Kenyatta Troupe. “Soul Makossa,” 1973, Avco 4620.

  Fela Kuti. “Shakara” from Shakara, 1974, Editions Makossa EM2305.

  _____. “Expensive Shit” from Expensive Shit, 1975, Editions Makossa EM2315.

  Bettye Lavette. “Doin’ the Best That I Can,” 1978, West End WES12113.

  Led Zeppelin. “Whole Lotta Love” from Led Zeppelin II, 1969, Atlantic ATL 40037.

  Pat Lewis. “No One to Love,” 1967, Solid Hit SH109.

  Little Sister. “You’re the One,” 1970, Stone Flower S 9000.

  Love Unlimited Orchestra. “Love’s Theme,” 1973, 20th Century 2069.

  Mahogany, 1975, Motown 858.

  Mandre. “Solar Flight (Opus I),” 1977, Motown 1429.

  Herbie Mann. “Waterbed,” 1975, Atlantic DSKO 58.

  The Marketts. “Out of Limits,” 1963, Warner Bros. 5391.

  Martha & the Vandellas. “Come and Get These Memories,” 1963, Gordy 7014.

  MFSB. “Love Is the Message” from TSOP, 1974, Philadelphia International 80154.

  Mighty Tomcats, The. “Soul Makossa,” 1973, Winley 1103.

  Moment of Truth. “Your Love,” 1974, Roulette 7158.

  _____. “Helplessly,” 1976, Salsoul 12D2009.

  Montclairs, The. “Hung Up on Your Love,” 1974, Paula 390.

  Bobby Moore. “(Call Me Your) Anything Man,” 1975, Scepter SDT12405.

  Nairobi Afro Band. “Soul Makossa,” 1973, Town Hall TH777.

  Ken Nordine. Colors, 1966, Philips PHM200224.

  Babatunde Olatunji. “Jin-Go-Lo-Ba (Drums of Passion)” from Drums of Passion, 1959, Columbia CS8210.

  _____. “Soul Makossa” from Soul Makossa, 1973, Paramount PAS6061.

  Osibisa. “Music for Gong Gong,” 1971, MCA 5079.

  Ozo. Listen to the Buddha, 1976, DJM 4.

  Ann Peebles. “I’m Going to Tear Your Playhouse Down,” 1972, Hi 2232.

  Barbara Pennington. “Twenty-Four Hours a Day,” 1977, United Artists UADW928.

  Pointer Sisters. “Yes We Can Can,” 1973, Blue Thumb 229.

  Rare Earth. “Happy Song” from Back to Earth, 1975, Rare Earth 548.

  Mitch Ryder. The Detroit-Memphis Experimen
t, 1969, Dot DLP25963.

  Salsoul Orchestra. “Nice ’n’ Naasty,” 1976, Salsoul 12D2011.

  Sapphires, The. “Gotta Have Your Love,” 1965, ABC-Paramount 10639.

  Sessomatto. “Sessomatto,” 1976, West End WES12100.

  Sly & the Family Stone. “Everybody Is a Star” from Greatest Hits, 1970, Epic 10555.

  Kenny Smith. “Lord, What’s Happening to Your People,” 1972, General American GAR 317.

  Gloria Spencer. “I Got It / Stay Jesus Stay,” 1971, Jay-Walking JW016.

  Amii Stewart. “Knock on Wood,” 1979, Ariola 7736.

  “Superstar” from Jesus Christ Superstar, 1971, Decca DXSSA7206.

  Taste of Honey, A. “Boogie Oogie Oogie,” 1978, Capitol 4565.

  Timebox. “Beggin’,” 1968, Deram DM194.

  Titanic. “Sultana,” 1971, CBS 5365.

  _____. “Rain 2000,” 1972, CBS 8185.

  Trammps, The. “Hooked For Love,” 1975, Atlantic DSKO59.

  Troubadours du Roi Baudoin, Les. Missa Luba, 1963, Philips PCC206.

  Earl Van Dyke & Motown Brass. “Six by Six,” 1967, Soul 35028.

  Ventures, The. “Soul Makossa” from Only Hits, 1973, United Artists LA147G.

  War. “City Country City” from The World Is a Ghetto, 1972, United Artists UAS5652.

  James Wells. “My Claim to Fame,” 1978, AVI 6045.

  Anthony White. “Block Party,” 1976, Salsoul 12D2030.

  Betty Wright. “If You Love Me Like You Say You Love Me,” 1972, Alston 4609.

  Zulema. “Giving Up” from Ms. Z, 1974, Sussex SF8419.

  2. “I’M JUST AN OUTLAW, MY NAME IS DESIRE”: Disco and Sexuality

  Area Code 615. “Stone Fox Chase,” 1973, Polydor PD14215.

  Roy Ayers. “Running Away,” 1977, Polydor PD502.

  Carl Bean. “I Was Born This Way,” 1977, Motown TMG1108.

  Earlene Bentley. “The Boys Come to Town,” 1983, Record Shack SOHO08.

  _____. “I’m Living My Own Life,” 1984, Record Shack SOHO14.

  Boys Town Gang. “Cruisin’ the Streets,” 1981, Moby Dick BTG231.

  Miquel Brown. “So Many Men, So Little Time,” 1983, Record Shack SOHO06.

  _____. “Close to Perfection,” 1985, Record Shack SOHO48.

  Cerrone. “Call Me Tonight” from Angelina, 1979, Atlantic SD9917.

  Charlie & Ray. “I Love You Madly,” 1954, Herald 438.

  Chocolat’s. “The Kings of Clubs” from Kings of Clubs, 1977, Tom n’ Jerry TJS4500.

  Patrick Cowley. “Menergy,” 1981, Fusion FPSF003.

  _____. Megatron Man, 1981, Megatone M1002.

  _____. Mind Warp, 1982, Megatone M1004.

  Betty Davis. “Game Is My Middle Name,” and “If I’m in Luck, I Might Just Get Picked Up” from Betty Davis, 1973, Just Sunshine Records JSS5.

  Hazell Dean. “Searchin’,” 1983, Proto 13542.

  Dynamic Superiors. Pure Pleasure, 1975, Motown STML12007.

  Eastbound Expressway. “Primitive Desire,” 1983, Record Shack SOHO09.

  Marvin Gaye. What’s Going On, 1971, Tamla Motown TS310.

  Yvonne Gidden. “In Orbit,” 1984, Electricity ELECT02.

  Frankie “Half-Pint” Jaxon. Frankie “Half-Pint” Jaxon Volume 1, 1926–1929, 1994, Document DOC5258.

  _____. Frankie “Half-Pint” Jaxon Volume 2, 1929–1937, 1994, Document DOC5259.

  _____. Frankie “Half-Pint” Jaxon Volume 3, 1937–1940, 1994, Document DOC5260.

  Le Pamplemousse. “Le Spank,” 1977, AVI 153.

  Linda Lewis. “You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet,” 1984, Electricity ELECT05.

  Love Unlimited Orchestra. “Love’s Theme,” 1973, 20th Century 2069.

  Bill Motley & Trip Ringwald. “Bitchin’ 50s Medley,” 1979, Disconet Volume 3, Program 6 MWDN306.

  Laura Pallas. “Emergency,” 1984, Record Shack SOHO16.

  Paul Parker. “Right on Target,” 1983, Megatone MT101.

  Billy Sha-Rae. “Do It,” 1970, Laurie 117.

  Marlena Shaw. “Touch Me in the Morning,” 1979, Columbia AS678.

  Stainless Steal. Can-Can, 1978, Warner Bros. 3274.

  Candi Staton. “Young Hearts Run Free,” 1976, Warner Bros. 8181.

  Donna Summer. “I Feel Love”/“I Feel Mega Love (The Patrick Cowley MegaMix),” 1979, Disconet Volume 3, Program 7 MWDN307.

  Supremes, The. “Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart,” 1966, Motown 1094.

  Sylvester. Sylvester & the Hot Band, 1973, Blue Thumb BTS6018.

  _____. Bazaar, 1973, Blue Thumb BTS6059.

  _____. Sylvester, 1977, Fantasy F9531.

  _____. Step II, 1978, Fantasy F9556.

  _____. Stars, 1979, Fantasy F9579.

  _____. “Do Ya Wanna Funk,” 1982, Megatone MT102.

  _____. Rock the Box, 1984, Megatone M1015.

  _____. “Take Me to Heaven,” 1985, Megatone MT133.

  Tavares. “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel,” 1976, Capitol 4270.

  Evelyn Thomas. “High Energy,” 1984, Record Shack SOHO18.

  Tasha Thomas. “Shoot Me (With Your Love),” 1978, Atlantic 3542

  Valentino. “I Was Born This Way,” 1975, Gaiee 90001.

  Velvette. “Nothing Worse Than Being Alone,” 1984, Electricity ELECT04.

  Bill Withers. “Harlem,” 1971, Sussex SUX219.

  3. “LIKE CLONES AND ROBOTS THAT WE ARE”: Automating the Beat

  Amon Düül II. Viva La Trance, 1973, United Artists A198.

  Arpeggio. “Love and Desire,” 1978, Polydor POSPX40.

  Claudja Barry. “Boogie Woogie Dancin’ Shoes,” 1979, Chrysalis 2313.

  Dave Bartholomew. “Messy Bessy” from In the Alley, 1991, Charly 273.

  Beautiful Bend. “Boogie Motion,” 1979, Marlin 3327.

  Bee Gees. Main Course, 1975, RSO 4807.

  _____. “You Should Be Dancing,” 1976, RSO 853.

  Hamilton Bohannon. “South African Man,” 1974, Dakar 4539.

  _____. “Foot Stompin Music,” 1975, Dakar 4544.

  _____. “Disco Stomp,” 1975, Dakar 4549.

  Boney M. Take the Heat Off Me, 1976, Atco 36143.

  _____. Love for Sale, 1977, Atlantic 19145.

  _____. Nightflight to Venus, 1978, Sire 6062.

  _____. Oceans of Fantasy, 1979, Hansa 50610.

  Pattie Brooks. “Don’t Make Me Wait”/“Pop Collage Medley,” 1977, Casablanca 904.

  James Brown. “I’ve Got Money,” 1962, King 5701.

  _____. Live at the Apollo, 1963, King 826.

  _____. “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” 1965, King 5999.

  James Brown and His Orchestra. “Out of Sight,” 1964, Smash 1919.

  Cerrone. “Love in ‘C’ Minor,” 1977, Cotillion 44215.

  _____. Cerrone’s Paradise, 1977, Cotillion SD 9917.

  _____. Cerrone 3 (Supernature), 1977, Cotillion SD 5202.

  _____. “Rocket in the Pocket,” 1978, Atlantic 4802.

  Chakachas, The. Jungle Fever, 1972, Polydor 2480084.

  Chicory. “Son of My Father,” 1972, Epic 10837.

  Chocolat’s. King of Clubs, 1977, Tom ’n’ Jerry TJS4500.

  Eddie Cochran. “Somethin Else,” 1959, Liberty 55203.

  Alec R. Costandinos and the Syncophonic Orchestra. Romeo & Juliet, 1978, Casablanca 7086.

  Darby & Tarlton. “Freight Train Ramble” from Complete Recordings, 1995, Bear Family BCD15764.

  Bo Diddley. “Bo Diddley,” 1955, Chess 814.

  _____. “Who Do You Love?,” 1956, Checker 842.

  _____. “Hey Bo Diddley,” 1957, Checker 860.

  Einzelgänger. Einzelgänger, 1975, Oasis 5001.

  El Coco. “Cocomotion,” 1977, AVI 147.

  Equals, The. “Viva Bobby Joe,” 1969, President PT260.

  Fantastic Johnny C, The. “Waitin’ for the Rain,” 1973, Phil-LA of Soul 361.

  Festival. Evita, 1979, RSO 3061.

  Ace Frehley. “New York Groove,” 1978, Casablanca 941.

  Fr
ench Kiss. “Panic,” 1979, Polydor PRO094.

  Funkadelic. Uncle Jam Wants You, 1979, Warner Bros. WB3371.

  Gloria Gaynor. “Never Can Say Goodbye,” 1974, MGM 14748.

  Gaz. “Sing Sing,” 1978, Salsoul SG206.

  Giorgio & Chris. Love’s in You, Love’s in Me, 1978, Casablanca 7104.

  Nico Gomez. “Baila Chibiquiban” from Ritual, 1970, Carina.

  Heart and Soul Orchestra, The. “Love in ‘C’ Minor,” 1977, Casablanca 876.

  Willie Henderson. “Dance Master,” 1974, Now Sound 101/Playboy 50057.

  Hot Butter. “Popcorn,” 1972, Musicor 1458.

  Hot Chocolate. “Mindless Boogie,” 1979, Infinity 50048.

  Thelma Houston. “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” 1976, Tamla 54278.

  Dee D Jackson. Cosmic Curves, 1978, Epic 90523.

  Jackson 5. “Forever Came Today,” 1975, Motown 1356.

  Jacno. “Rectangle,” 1980, Dorian CEL6201.

  Jesse James. “Red Hot Rockin’ Blues,” 1958, Kent 314.

  Jean-Michel Jarre. Oxygène, 1976, Polydor 6112.

  Joneses, The. “Sugar Pie Guy,” 1974, Mercury 73614.

  Patrick Juvet. Still Alive, 1980, Barclay 96112.

  Madleen Kane. “Forbidden Love,” 1979, Warner Bros. 8772.

  Roberta Kelly. “Kung Fu’s Back Again,” 1974, Contempo 2044.

  _____. Trouble Maker, 1976, Oasis 5005.

  _____. Zodiac Lady, 1977, Casablanca 7069.

  Kongas. “Jungle,” 1972, Barclay 61719.

  _____. “Anikana-O,” 1974, Barclay 61802.

  _____. Africanism, 1977, Polydor 6138.

  _____. Anikana-O, 1978, Salsoul 8512.

  Kraftwerk. Autobahn, 1975, Vertigo VEL2003.

  _____. Trans-Europe Express, 1977, Capitol ST11603.

  LaBelle. Nightbirds, 1974, Epic KE33075.

  Suzi Lane. Ooh La La, 1979, Elektra 6E207.

  Eddy Lang. “I’m Beggin’ With Tears,” 1956, RPM 476.

  Lead Belly. “Rock Island Line” and “The Midnight Special” from Take This Hammer Down, 2003, Blue Bird 82876509572.

  Le Pamplemousse. “Le Spank,” 1977, AVI 153.

  Love and Kisses. How Much, How Much I Love You, 1978, Casablanca 7091.

  _____. You Must Be Love, 1979, Casablanca 7157.

  Masquerade. Pinocchio, 1979, Prelude 12169.

  George McCrae. “Rock Your Baby,” 1974, T.K. 1004.

  Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. “The Love I Lost,” 1973, Philadelphia International 3533.

  Memphis Jug Band. “KC Moan,” 1929, Victor V38558.

  Meters, The. “Cissy Strut,” 1969, Josie 1005.