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SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE release"Dance To The Music." Not one of their best songs, but one of the classic danceable funk hits of the late 60s that were the material in the first "disco" clubs. In this sense, the word "disco" meant dancing to recorded music, rather than live bands.
KOOL AND THE GANG formed (initially as "Kool and the Flames", and before that (since 1964) as the "Jazziacs"), later to become one of the most significant and best-loved disco groups.
JAMES BROWN releases the famous ten-minute "Sex Machine." The extended nature of Brown's work would have considerable effect on disco music, with records being extended specifically so that people could dance to it longer.
The JACKSON 5 shoot to the top of the charts in the US with "I Want You Back." The family would go on to be some of the most popular musical entertainers in the world, not just in the sphere of disco.
In late 1970, Barry and Robin Gibb meet up to try and patch up their differences that have split the BEE GEES since 1969. This is fortunate, for they are to become for many the epitome of disco (even though at this time they were mainly producing soulful ballads).
"Theme from Shaft" by ISAAC HAYES proves to be a great success, spurring on the rise of funk.
"Love's theme", from LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA and ELTON JOHN'S "Your Song", performed by BILLY PAUL, are considered by an incorrect minority to be some of the first "true" disco hits. However, the O'JAYS "Love Train" was a more significant indicator of things to come, combining a "message" song with a groove that was easy to dance to.
"Love's theme", by the LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA, an instrumental piece, went to the top of the charts.
THE ISLEY BROTHERS are joined by their three younger brothers for the album "3+3 featuring That Lady." The song "That Lady" becomes a funk classic. This group will remain as a sextet until 1984.
Disco by this time had not yet exploded into the mainstream. However, "disco" clubs had become firmly established on the west coast of the USA, and artists started to explore the possibilities of specific "disco" songs.
GLORIA GAYNOR becomes the first disco diva with the hit "Never can say goodbye." Donna Summer releases the album "Lady Of The Night."
ABBA achieved success with "Waterloo", although ABBA should be recognised as producing sub-standard Eurovision song contest-esque "music" rather than funk/disco.
Kool and the Gang release the funky "Jungle Boogie", later to become famous in "Pulp Fiction."
Several other disco hits are released; THE COMMODORES - "Machine Gun"; SHIRLEY & COMPANY- "Shame Shame Shame"; THE HUES CORPORATION; "Rock the boat", CARL CARLTON; "Everlasting love", CAROL DOUGLAS; "Doctor's orders", BARRY WHITE:;"You're the first, the last, my everything"; GEORGE MCRAE: "Rock Your Baby".
This year is considered by most commentators to be the first true disco year, when disco music started to become a mainstream genre in its own right.
VAN MC COY sells millions of copies all over the world with "The Hustle", the first big disco hit. More than any other, this hit established the hallmarks of disco; mostly non-ethnic music (the main distinction between "disco" and "funk"] and easy- to- learn dance steps.
Kool and the Gang release the "Spirit of the Boogie" LP, featuring the disco gem "Open Sesame", which appeared later on in "Saturday Night Fever." However, at this time K&TG were still concerned mostly with funk, not mainstream disco.
THE BEE GEES are back to the charts with "Jive Talkin'" from the album"Main Course", which proves to be a radical departure from their previous ballad-orientated work. From 1975 on, they steadily grew in importance in the disco scene.
KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND achieve success with "Get Down Tonight", which introduced the concept of the "disco mantra" (hooks that could be shouted out by the dancers).
Earth Wind & Fire, Hot Chocolate and The Trammps have their first disco hits.
The so-called "Euro-Disco" movement appears with Silver Convention's lunatic song "Fly, Robin Fly"
Some other important disco-hits of the year: MELBA MOORE - "This is it"; PEGGY MCLEAN - "Lady Bop"; RETTA YOUNG - "Sending out a S.O.S"; THE SYLVERS - "Boogie Fever"; ABBA - "Maamma Mia"; CARL DOUGLAS - "Kung Fu Fighting".
The BROTHERS JOHNSON release their first album, "Look Out for # 1" under the aegis of produced Quincy Jones, including the incredible "Get The Funk Out Ma Face." They would go on to become funk/disco heavyweights.
Motown has its first disco hit: "Love Hangover", performed by DIANA ROSS. She becomes a disco diva.
The Bee Gee's "You Should Be Dancing" marks a further evolution in the group's progress to disco fame.
KC & The Sunshine Band's "That's The Way (I Like It)" continues their hallmarks - use of crashing cymbals, catchy mantras etc. Their lightweight style provokes concern from orthodox funk artists - this could be considered as an early sign of the anti-disco movement that would grow up as disco became a dominant force in music in the late 70s/early 80s.
HEATWAVE produce "Boogie Nights." Although not particularly significant in themselves, the founder of the band, Rod Temperton, would go on to become very influential in disco music, writing songs for George Benson and Michael Jackson.
RICHIE FAMILY with "The best Disco in town" and FIRST CHOICE with "Doctor Love", are the first disco girl groups that achieve notable success.
DONNA SUMMER becomes a diva with her classic album "LoveTo Love You Baby", considered scandalous at the time by moralists such as Jesse Jackson because of the "marathon of orgasms" in the title track.
ABBA is #1 for the first and only time in USA with the horrific "Dancing Queen".
THE ISLEY BROTHERS produce the protest song classic "Harvest For The World."
Produced by GREGG DIAMOND, the ex- X rated movie actress ANDREA TRUE CONNECTION is #1 with "More More More".
TINA CHARLES leaves 5000 VOLTS and goes to a solo disco career with the hit "I love to love."
SILVER CONVENTION continue their rise to disco fame with the simple yet compelling "Get Up And Boogie."
Some other important disco-hits of the year: VICKI SUE ROBINSON - "Turn the beat around"; THELMA HOUSTON - "Don't leave me this way"; JESSE GREEN - "Nice and Slow"; BACCARA - "Yes sir, I can boogie"; CERRONE - "Love in C minor"; KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND - "Shake Shake Shake"; BONEY M - "Daddy Cool".
Disco arrives at the cinema, with "Saturday Night Fever", starring John Travolta. As disco reaches begins to reach epic proportions, the Bee Gees become the biggest group in the world with the hits "Stayin'Alive", "How deep is your love", "Night Fever" etc.
Tecnho music is born with "I feel love", performed by Donna Summer
Chic records their first album, with the hit "Everybody Dance" and the awful "Dance Dance Dance".
Salsoul Records has the first hit, the mediocre "Runaway", performed by Loleatta Holloway.
The first black model, Grace Jones, successfully goes to a singer career with her powerful voice. She has 3 hits in this year, including "La Vie en Rose".
Some other important disco-hits of the year: THE EMOTIONS - "Best of my love"; EARTH WIND & FIRE - "Fantasy", THE TRAMMPS - "Disco Inferno"; CARRIE LUCAS - "I gotta keep dancin'"; UNIVERSAL ROBOT BAND - "Dance and Shake your tambourine", ROBERTA KELLY - "Zodiacs"; JERMAINE JACKSON - "Let's be young tonight"; ODYSSEY - "Native New Yorker", ANDREA TRUE CONNECTION - "NY You got me dancing"; BONEY M - "Ma Baker"; THE COMMODORES - "Brick House"; DAVID SHIRE - "Night On Disco Mountain."
1978 and 1979 were the years in which funk and disco music arguably reached their peak in both quantity of music and development of the genres.
PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC, or P-FUNK, becomes a major force in hardcore funk music, becoming a massive ensemble of artists headed by GEORGE CLINTON.
THE JACKSONS release arguably their finest album, "Destiny." It includes the hits "Blame It On The Boogie" and "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).
HERBIE HANCOCK's experiments with synthesizers reach appaling new "heights" with the painful " I Thought It Was You."
The influence of gay culture in disco becomes evident with SYLVESTER and the hit "You make me feel", and CELI BEE, "Macho (a real real one)".
Disco is also influenced by gipsy culture, with SANTA ESMERALDA: "Don't let me be misunderstood".
Produced by Jacques Morali, the VILLAGE PEOPLE produce the amusing party favourites "Macho Man" and "Y.M.C.A".
A Taste of Honey wins Grammy 1978 Best New Artist with "Boogie Oogie Oogie".
Euro Disco movement continues with Patrick Juvet: "I love America", Sheila & B. Devotion: "You light my fire", and USA-European Connection: "Come into my heart".
Gloria Gaynor is back with one of the biggest disco hits: "I will survive".
Chaka Khan goes to a solo career from Rufus and has the hit "I'm every woman".
In the movies, "Thank God It's Friday", makes Donna Summer the biggest disco star, with the hit "Last Dance".
The movement "Disco sucks", organized by the disco enemies in USA. Fortunately it was not successful, at least not yet...
Some other important hits of the year: KAREN YOUNG - "Hot Shot"; MUSIQUE - "Keep on Jumpin'"; DEE D. JACKSON - "Automatic Lover"; CHIC - "Le Freak"; DONNA SUMMER - "MacArthur Park"; BLONDIE - "Heart of glass"; TAVARES - "More Than A Woman"; VOYAGE - "Souvenirs"; CHERYL LYNN - "Got to be real"; PEACHES & HERB - "Shake your groove thing"; EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING - "Shame; FOXY - "Get Off"; ROBERTA KELLY - "Oh, happy day"; MICHAEL ZAGER BAND: "Let's all chant"; BEE GEES - "Tragedy"; DAN HARTMAN - "Instant Replay";
The year of the one-hit disco wonders: ANITA WARD: "Ring my bell", ALICIA BRIDGES: "I love the nightlife", KELLY MARIE: "Feels like I'm in love", CHARO: "Dance a little bit closer", TATA VEGA: "I just keep thinking about you baby", and VIOLA WILLS: "Gonna get along without you now"
MICHAEL JACKSON begins his phenomenal solo career with the Grammy-winning album "Off The Wall" produced by QUINCY JONES.
Donna Summer has 5 hits in this year, including the now-cliched "Hot Stuff".
The youngest disco star, only 16, FRANCE JOLI, has the hit: "Come to me".
Several poignant duets were seen in this year: DONNA SUMMER & BARBRA STREISAND: "No more tears(enough is enough)", RICK JAMES & TEENA MARIE: "I'm a sucker for your love", and EARTH WIND & FIRE & THE EMOTIONS: "Boogie Wonderland".
Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers become famous disco producers. While Chic has its biggest hit: "Good Times", they produced SISTER SLEDGE "We are family", and SHEILA & B.DEVOTION: "spacer".
Rap music is born with SUGARHILL GANG: "Rapper's Delight", based on Chic's "Good Times."
Now disco has many girl groups, including LOVE UNLIMITED: "I'm so glad that I'm a woman", and SAINT TROPEZ: "One more minute."
Lipps Inc. is one of the groups of the year, with the rather dubious classic "Funkytown".
The "disco sucks" campaign gains strength with the "disco-demolition" rally in between two American Football games on 12th July 1979. The fans trashed the field with disco records they hated, forcing the cancellation of the second game and venting their anger at the increasing amount of poor-quality disco music that was taking over the airwaves.
Some other important disco hits of the year: CLAUDJA BARRY - "Boogie Woogie Dancin'Shoes"; DONNA SUMMER - "Hot Stuff, "Bad Girls" and "Dim all the lights"; SHALAMAR - "Second time around"; SISTER SLEDGE - "He's the greatest dancer"; DIANA ROSS - "The Boss"; CHIC - "I Want Your Love"; THE GAP BAND - "Oops Upside Your Head"; THE ISLEY BROTHERS - "It's A Disco Night"; MICHAEL JACKSON - "Off The Wall"; THE REAL THING - "Can You Feel The Force"; THE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION "Turn The Music Up!", and THE WHISPERS "And The Beat Goes On."
The BROTHERS JOHNSON album "Light Up The Night" represents the pinnacle of their career, including the superb title song and the smash hit "Stomp!"
The year of "Fame", that presented IRENE CARA, and "Xanadu", with OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN.
KOOL AND THE GANG have a hit with the party favourite "Celebration".
DIANA ROSS, produced by NILE RODGERS and BERNARD EDWARD, has the hits "I'm Coming Out" and "Upside Down".
THE JACKSONS produce their last major work, the album "Triumph." As well as featuring one of the first conceptual music videos, it featured the hit song "Can You Feel It."
Soul artist GEORGE BENSON ventures into the world of pop (disco) with the superb "Give Me The Night."
LUTHER VANDROSS, with the band CHANGE, begins a brief flirtation with disco with the moody song "Searching."
Some other important hits of disco of this year: STEPHANIE MILLS - "Never Knew Love Like This Before"; S.O.S BAND - "Take Your Time"; SHARON REDD -- "Can You Handle It"; VOYAGE - "I Love You Dancer"; A TASTE OF HONEY - "Rescue Me"; TEENA MARIE - "I need your lovin'"; EARTH WIND & FIRE - "Let's groove; AVERAGE WHITE BAND "Let's Go Round Again"; CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR - "You Gave Me Love"; THE WHISPERS "It's A Love Thing."
This was the year in which funk and disco music began to collapse under several pressures; the lack of new ideas coming out, the hostility of "hard-core" funk (black) and rock (white) towards "beige" music taking up all their radio airplay; and the nascent "New Wave" movement that would take over the baton from disco to become a major music force in the 1980s.
Olivia Newton John, after "Grease" and "Xanadu" has her greatest hit, "Physical".
The last full P-FUNK album is released, "The Electric Spanking Of War Babies", and is given hardly any support by its record company.
THE HUMAN LEAGUE's "Don't You Want Me Baby" becomes a sign of things to come, doing well in the US and Europe. New Wave music will soon replace disco as the main popular genre.
Other important hits of this year: THE BROTHERS JOHNSON "The Real Thing"; BOYSTOWN GANG - "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"; BB&Q Band - "On The Beat"; CARL CARLTON - "She's a Bad Mama Jama"; ODYSSEY - "Going Back To My Roots"; KOOL & THE GANG - "Get Down On It"; LUTHER VANDROSS - "Sugar And Spice"; QUINCY JONES - "Ai No Corrida"; GEORGE BENSON - "Never Give Up On A Good Thing";
Sadly for the world, this was the last year in which disco was at all popular as a contemporary musical movement. Funk music was also collapsing as record companies and radio stations had largely "gone disco", thus tarring all black music with the "disco brush", which was fast becoming a liability.
The popular "It's Raining Men" by THE WEATHER GIRLS" was a major disco hit of the year.
MICHAEL JACKSON's second album "Thriller", produced by Quincy Jones, went on the become the best-selling album ever. The song "Billie Jean" is considered by some to be the finest disco song ever produced, but it was clear with songs such as "Beat It" that Jackson had sensed the end was in sight for disco.
The BEE GEES continued to write for other artists since their increasing rejection by the public. In 1982, Barry Gibb produced Dionne Warwick's superb "Heartbreaker" album, writing most of the songs.
LIONEL RICHIE formally split from THE COMMODORES
Other major hits: CENTRAL LINE - "Walking To The Sunshine"; EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING - "Love Come Down"; INDEEP - "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life"; PATRICE RUSHEN - "Forget Me Nots"; GALAXY - "Dancin' Tight"; DONNA SUMMER - "Love is in control"; CHAKA KHAN - "Ain't Nobody";
By this time, many disco and funk artists had either disappearaed or were rapidly changing their styles to fit in with new musical fashions.
ABBA split in 1983, although to be honest they were never really a disco or a funk group (they are percieved by most laymen to be in the category of "70s music", which as I have explained is not the same as funk/disco).
The follow up the "Saturday Night Fever", "Staying Alive" was a poor film and the soundtrack went largely unnoticed, despite some good performances by the Bee Gees with songs such as "The Woman In You."
LIONEL RICHIE, now on his own from THE COMMODORES, still showed some of his old style with his album "Can't Slow Down" which included the still-popular disco hit "All Night Long."
THE ISLEY BROTHERS got their act together again to make their final notable album "Between The Sheets."
RUFUS AND CHAKA KHAN got together once more to release the poignant funky hit "Ain't Nobody."
Surprisingly, despite the fact that disco was basically dead by now, several disco artists made spirited last efforts, althought they changed their styles slightly. KOOL AND THE GANG had their last hit, "Fresh", and CHAKA KHAN had a smash hit with "I Feel For You."
THE ISLEY BROTHERS sextet ended in this year as the younger trio left the group. The older three kept recording on their own.
After the controversial ( though very successfu l) world tour for their "Victory" album , Michael Jackson finally left The Jacksons.
GLORIA ESTEFAN AND THE MIAMI SOUND MACHINE produce "Dr Beat", a distinctly disco-esque song.
THE COMMODORES, or what remained of them, produced a final big hit with "The Nightshift."
1985 - 1987:
In 1985 the collaboration "USA For Africa" group brought together many former funk and disco artists and performed the song "We Are The World" for charity.
In 1986, O' Kelly Isley died tragically of a heart attack, effectively ending the Isley Brothers as a group.
In 1987, KOOL AND THE GANG ceased to exist when lead singer, James Taylor, left to work on his own.
THE JACKSONS released their final album, "2300 Jackson Street", in 1987, but this was not recieved well and the group dwindled.
DIANA ROSS, a key "disco diva" produces a disco-esque smash hit with "Chain Reaction" in 1985 - it is written by, and features, the Bee Gees, who have started producing songs for other artists since their apparent rejection by the public.
GEORGE BENSON, LIONEL RICHIE and LUTHER VANDROSS have by this time adapted their soul to the 1980s sound, thus effectively saving their careers from the ignominy of those artists who stuck with disco and funk for too long.
Some disco artists are still on tour and survived: Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Bee Gees, Earth Wind Teena Marie.& Fire, The Village People and
Rumour has it that both The Commodores (including Lionel Richie) and The Jacksons (including Michael) may reunify to play some concerts.
Disco and funk never really disappeared. Many popular disco songs have been "covered" by dance music groups, and prove wildly popular (Will Smith comes to mind). In a similar vein, many black artists, such as Mase, have sampled funk songs. All this constitutes a type of funk and disco survival.