New Music Express reports: Marlena Shaw, the US soul and jazz vocalist best known for her hit ‘California Soul’, has died at the age of 81. The news was confirmed by Shaw’s daughter Marla on her official Facebook page last night (January 19). Shaw’s signature song ‘California Soul’ was recorded as a humble album track on her 1969 LP ‘The …
Read More »Tag Archives: disco
Central Park To Get 70s-Themed Roller Disco [VIDEO]
Gothamist reports: This summer, The DiscOasis will set up shop at Wollman Rink in Central Park, so New Yorkers can get back in touch with the city’s famed disco roots. Running from June 16th until October 1st, The DiscOasis will bring a mix of open skate sessions and theatrical performances—some with playlists crafted by Nike Rodgers the legendary songwriter, producer …
Read More »Self-Proclaimed “Discotheque” Inventor Dies At 92
Deadline Hollywood reports: Regine, who claimed to have invented the term “discotheque” as she ran a nightclub empire that stretched from Paris to Los Angeles, has died. She passed on Sunday at age 92, according to her granddaughter. At its height, her nightlife empire had 22 venues. Born Regina Zylberberg in Belgium, Regine opened her first nightclub in Paris’s Latin …
Read More »You’re Not Welcome Anymore: Gloria Gaynor To Dismiss 2020 In Times Square With Classic “I Will Survive”
The New York Daily News reports: Gloria Gaynor has the right message for 2020: You’re not welcome anymore. The disco diva will perform her anthemic — and suddenly appropriate — 1978 breakup hit “I Will Survive” on New Year’s Eve at the Crossroads of the World during the Times Square Alliance’s “Heroes of 2020” event to honor essential workers and …
Read More »Village People Gives Trump OK To Use Their Music
NBC News reports: Village People, the American disco group behind the hits “YMCA,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy,” has given the go-ahead for President Donald Trump to plays its songs at events, despite being “inundated” with requests from fans urging the band to block the president’s use of the music. Trump most recently played Village People’s 1978 track “Macho …
Read More »Chicago White Sox To Celebrate 40th Anniversary Of Homophobic And Racist “Disco Demolition” [VIDEO]
Music site 5Mag reports: “There’s an undercurrent of hatred for disco,” said the much-despised shock jock Steve Dahl, infamous for starting Chicago’s Disco Demolition in Comiskey Park. In a publicity stunt concocted the summer of 1979 during a Chicago White Sox game against the Detroit Tigers, Steve Dahl encouraged everyone to bring their Disco records in order to destroy them. …
Read More »Sylvester’s You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) Chosen For Preservation By Library Of Congress’ National Registry
The Washington Post reports: This year’s inductees for the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry include a speech from Sen. Robert Kennedy, the educational music of “Schoolhouse Rock!,” Jay-Z’s seminal album “The Blueprint,” soul, pop and disco songs that became anthems for underrepresented groups, and a number of other unique recordings. Every year, the registry preserves 25 “culturally, historically, or …
Read More »Special JMG Music Giveaway: For Discos Only
Courtesy of Concord Music, tonight we have a special JMG giveaway of the new classic early disco remix compilation, For Discos Only, now available on Amazon, streaming, and download services. Craft Recordings is excited to announce the release of For Discos Only: Indie Dance Music From Fantasy & Vanguard Records (1976-1981), a comprehensive collection of the music that lit up …
Read More »Donna Summer Musical Set For Broadway Bow
From the Hollywood Reporter: Broadway’s gotta have some “Hot Stuff” next spring. Producers Tommy Mottola and The Dodgers confirmed Tuesday that Summer: The Donna Summer Musical will begin previews March 28 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre ahead of an April 23 opening. The bio-musical tracing the life and career of the singer, who teamed with music producer Giorgio Moroder and Casablanca …
Read More »Donna Summer: The Musical Set For Fall Opening
Broadway World reports: Donna Summer’s husband Bruce Sudano has big Broadway plans as he prepares to launch his new stage show SUMMER at La Jolla Playhouse in November. The show, based on the life of his late wife, will feature all of the disco queen’s greatest hits, with hopes taking the show the Broadway in 2018. According to WENN, the …
Read More »Joe Goddard – Home [VIDEO]
Out today is Electric Lines, the new album by 2 Bears and Hot Chip member Joe Goddard, which gives me an excuse to post last month’s single, which serves as an old school disco homage to legendary Paradise Garage DJ Larry Levan. Sampled in the single is the 1978 Paradise Garage staple, Brainstorm’s On Our Way Home, and as you’ll …
Read More »SO YOU’RE BACK FROM OUTER SPACE: Gloria Gaynor To Perform At Library Of Congress Tribute To Disco
The Washington Post reports: Last year, Gloria Gaynor’s disco anthem “I Will Survive” became one of 25 new additions to the National Recording Registry, a collection of sound recordings considered “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States” and kept at the Library of Congress. The wide-ranging registry includes Thomas Edison’s early cylinders, Martin …
Read More »Dance Music Pioneer David Mancuso Dies At Age 72
The Guardian reports: David Mancuso, DJ and pioneer of New York dance culture, has died aged 72. Kid Recordings owner Craig Shifty announced the death on Facebook on Monday, writing: “He will be greatly missed, but, thankfully, he left the world a lasting vibrant legacy that continues to inspire and influence countless generations of music lovers and clubbers.” Cause of …
Read More »Giorgio Moroder – Good For Me [AUDIO]
Via Entertainment Weekly: At 76 years young, Giorgio Moroder isn’t slowing down. The disco pioneer is following the success of his 2015 comeback album Déjà Vu by gearing up for more and more new music. EW has the exclusive premiere of Moroder’s new single “Good for Me,” released Thursday, with singer Karen Harding handling vocal duties. “My goal is to …
Read More »Coming Soon: Donna Summer, The Musical
The New York Post reports: Hey, someone left the cake out in the rain! And I’m here to tell you all about it. Director Des McAnuff, of “Jersey Boys” fame, staged a workshop last week of a new musical about the life of disco queen Donna Summer. It’s a gender-bender, with women playing some of the men in her life. …
Read More »Pitchfork’s 200 Top Singles Of The 70s
In case you feel like having a completely unproductive day, Pitchfork has created a ranking of their top 200 singles of the 1970s. Lists like these, of course, tend to generate plenty of dissent and arguing and that’s a lot of their fun. Hit the link for factoid-packed capsule reviews and YouTube links to David Bowie, ABBA, Donna Summer, The …
Read More »Alex Newell & Nile Rodgers – Kill The Lights [VIDEO]
Glee star and budding dance diva Alex Newell is out with a scorching disco throwback track today. Kill The Lights features legendary producer Nile Rodgers on guitar and will debut on this weekend’s episode of HBO’s Vinyl as the show’s timeline moves into the disco era. This WILL get your weekend pumping. And yeah, shades of Sylvester here.
Read More »Alex Newell – Basically Over You [AUDIO]
As a break from today’s political hell, how about some big belting gay diva disco? Below is a JMG exclusive remix of the hot new track from Glee star Alex Newell, who is currently touring to support Adam Lambert. Newell’s EP Power is now available at iTunes and Amazon.
Read More »Pet Shop Boys – The Pop Kids [AUDIO]
Wow, this is great. From Idolator: The Pet Shop Boys have consistently remained one of the most sophisticated acts in the popular music arena for the past three decades, and the first single from upcoming album Super (out April 1) doesn’t betray any signs of them gliding off track at all. With “The Pop Kids,” we get a vivid story …
Read More »Earth Wind & Fire Founder Maurice White Dies At 74
And yet another one. Rolling Stone reports: Earth, Wind and Fire vocalist and co-founder Maurice White died in his sleep in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening. A rep for the band confirmed his passing to Rolling Stone. He was 74. The singer had been battling Parkinson’s disease since 1992, according to TMZ. His health had reportedly deteriorated in recent months. …
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