The War on Disco

Overview

The War on Disco explores the culture war that erupted over the spectacular rise of disco music. Originating in underground Black and gay clubs, disco had unseated rock as America’s most popular music by the late 1970s. But many diehard rock fans viewed disco, with its repetitive beat and culture that emphasized pleasure, as shallow and superficial. A story that’s about much more than music, The War on Disco explores how the powerful anti-disco backlash revealed a cultural divide that to some seemed to be driven by racism and homophobia. The hostility came to a head on July 12, 1979, when a riot broke out at “Disco Demolition Night” during a baseball game in Chicago.

Cast

Felipe Rose

Self

Steve Dahl

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Linda Clifford

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Rich King

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Daphne Brooks

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Jefferson Cowie

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Adam Greenfield

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Ray Smith

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Joe Shanahan

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David Logan

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Ayana Contreras

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Wayne Williams

Self