If we look at the 1990s we usually point to 1992-1994 or 1992-1996 as the peak of grunge's popularity both as a genre and fashion style. In comparison, what would you say are the peak years for Disco as both a music genre and social/fashion phenomenon?

1975-1980.

1975-1980.


To even narrow it down more, the peak was summer '76 through end of '79.  Yes to 1975-1980 (it actually started by summer '74); but outside of '76 through '79, other music genres held their own and Disco didn't dominate, whereas between summer 76 through the end of 79, Disco was the dominant genre, and all other sounds seemingly played second fiddle.  (This is why an event like Disco Demolition got so much traction - people who liked other music styles were angry.)

To even narrow it down more, the peak was summer '76 through end of '79.  Yes to 1975-1980 (it actually started by summer '74); but outside of '76 through '79, other music genres held their own and Disco didn't dominate, whereas between summer 76 through the end of 79, Disco was the dominant genre, and all other sounds seemingly played second fiddle.  (This is why an event like Disco Demolition got so much traction - people who liked other music styles were angry.)

1976 to 1979 was going to be my original answer.

I agree.

For some it never ended lmao. I have a photo of my uncle in 1987 wearing basically a leisure suit. Not as wild as 70s leisure suits but still. He wasn't a loser but he was a Bensonhurst Italian and I think for a lot of them, Disco ended a lot later than it did for everyone else.

1975-1980.


I would say around that time when music and fashion were cool, people were dressed so wild, the clothes were crazy looking.

https://2lth8w1uv77536l8d72pqh10-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/70s80s-disco-metalics-hair-350x495.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5d/63/26/5d63264f426d9a5981b73b507541d846.jpg

https://2lth8w1uv77536l8d72pqh10-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/70s80s-disco-metalics-hair-350x495.jpg


Just to clarify, these weren't everyday looks - girls only wore this kind of stuff to parties, concerts, and the like, or entertainers might wear them while entertaining.

Just to clarify, these weren't everyday looks - girls only wore this kind of stuff to parties, concerts, and the like, or entertainers might wear them while entertaining.


... and, of course, in Howard's dreams!  ;D    The pic with the guys was probably earlier to mid 70's.

My dad was in high school in those years, said disco was at its peak in 75-79/80

1976-1979

Just to clarify, these weren't everyday looks - girls only wore this kind of stuff to parties, concerts, and the like, or entertainers might wear them while entertaining.



So what was the everyday wear in The 1970's? ???

... and, of course, in Howard's dreams!  ;D    The pic with the guys was probably earlier to mid 70's.


I just got them from the internet.

So what was the everyday wear in The 1970's? ???


Jeans, t-shirts, dresses, slacks, button-downs
http://i64.tinypic.com/28swqba.jpg
http://i65.tinypic.com/1gffb.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/5f11xi.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/2e0racl.jpg
http://i66.tinypic.com/fo0swy.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/153lnjk.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/fz6gig.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/huoxv6.jpg

What happened after the popularity was over?

What happened after the popularity was over?


I think we called that period "The 80's".  ;)

Disco was huge in 1979, the same year it supposedly died, but it never died, it just evolved.  1980 still saw Disco songs in the charts including Upside down by Diana Ross and Take your time (do it right) by the S.O.S. Band

In 1981, the biggest selling single in Canada for that year was a Dutch disco song titled Medley by Stars on 45
In 1983, KC and the Sunshine Band reached #1 in the UK with Give it up

I think we called that period "The 80's".  ;)


I guess after the destruction of Disco and Demolition Night, things probably took a different turn.

I guess after the destruction of Disco and Demolition Night, things probably took a different turn.


IMO Disco Demolition night didn't kill Disco - it may have sped up some wheels that were already in motion.  It was more of a very public expression of the frustration many felt.  But Disco was still blazing hot in '79 and would stay that way throughout the year.

IMO Disco Demolition night didn't kill Disco - it may have sped up some wheels that were already in motion.  It was more of a very public expression of the frustration many felt.  But Disco was still blazing hot in '79 and would stay that way throughout the year.


Were you there to see Disco Demolition Night? ???

I'd say the absolute peak was from around Christmas 1977 (SNF came out then) and up through the summer of 1979. The "all disco" radio formats were also only on at that time, and this was also the peak of the roller discos as well. 1976 and most of 1977 had lots of arena rock, pop ballads, midtempo singer-songwriter hits, country, and funk/soul to mix (along with punk in the UK) with the disco, while late 1979 and 1980 had rock, country, and pop, and especially in the UK, New Wave. But that 18-20 month stretch I indicated was when many non-disco artists jumped on the bandwagon, including the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and even a couple country artists! Many radio stations, especially in smaller cities avoided disco just like many avoided rock in the '50s, but during that brief period, many of those were just tempted to try it out just to gain an audience. Sort of like how grunge was popular from 1991-1995 (and earlier underground just like disco in the early '70s), but the absolute peak was 1993 and the first half of 1994. 

Were you there to see Disco Demolition Night? ???


Not me - I didn't listen to WLUP or Steve Dahl.  I think I saw it on the 10:00 local news.  I recall that my Dad gave me a heads up about it beforehand; he was miffed that the ballfield was all torn up  :-\\

Not me - I didn't listen to WLUP or Steve Dahl.  I think I saw it on the 10:00 local news.  I recall that my Dad gave me a heads up about it beforehand; he was miffed that the ballfield was all torn up  :-\\


Did they cancel the ballgame or did they just resume after the destruction? ???

Did they cancel the ballgame or did they just resume after the destruction? ???


There was a double header scheduled that day; the event took place between the two games.  Because of the field, the second ballgame was cancelled and the White Sox were forced to forfeit the game.  :(

(Incidentally, when my Dad first mentioned it and before I'd seen the news, he referred to it as a 'riot'...)

I first heard of Disco in late 1974, but I'd say that the true Disco Era was 1976-1979.

There was a double header scheduled that day; the event took place between the two games.  Because of the field, the second ballgame was cancelled and the White Sox were forced to forfeit the game.  :(

(Incidentally, when my Dad first mentioned it and before I'd seen the news, he referred to it as a 'riot'...)


Didn't they start to torch vinyl records? ???

Do you think AIDS was the downfall of those dance nightclubs during the later part of 1979? ???

Do you think AIDS was the downfall of those dance nightclubs during the later part of 1979? ???


No, not AIDS.  If anything, the big health scare in 1979 was herpes STD - it was epidemic then.  But I don't think it shut down nightclubs.

No, not AIDS.  If anything, the big health scare in 1979 was herpes STD - it was epidemic then.  But I don't think it shut down nightclubs.


So if it's wasn't for herpes STD back then, would nightclubs still be up and running? ???

So if it's wasn't for herpes STD back then, would nightclubs still be up and running? ???


IMO no.  I don't think health was the primary driver.  It may have been a factor. 

IMO no.  I don't think health was the primary driver.  It may have been a factor.


Do you think I would've enjoyed Studio 54 in 1979, even though I was only 5 years, let's just say for example given my age now and me going back in time, would've I enjoyed the experience being around loads of people around there? Let's play time machine for a second.