Month: January 2021

Now that the election has finally been put to rest, I have noticed that many of my friends have, like me, been feeling a bit nostalgic lately. For my high school class, we are celebrating our 40th anniversary of our graduation so that may be causing so many to wax poetic about our youth. Now, when I say this I do not mean to cause controversy, but I NEVER want to be a teenager again. The thing I miss the most is the relatively lack of responsibility for anyone else. And, since I am mainly a fairly self-sustained person (introverted with a touch of shyness) that goes in the opposite direction of my image (I’m a paid extrovert, but that takes much energy to go into that mode). As a teen, I was very insecure about every aspect of my physical appearance and personality. But, when I got home, I could retreat to my bedroom, pop on a record and escape into a world in which the songwriter knew exactly to express my inner thoughts.

So, the thing about disco music that I have learned over the years was how revolutionary it truly was as a cultural movement. Foremost, it was a music forum that celebrated diversity in sounds, textures and in all humanity. Disco clubs were the one place in which people danced with and next to others of different color, culture and sexual orientation. Unfortunately, when that happens, people who are scared of such changes are going to push back against anything that promotes this stuff in the public forum. And, this push and pull continues to this day. And, maybe it always will. But, at least baby steps are being made along the lines of true equality in which we celebrate the diversity of each other. Maybe we should begin to look at the States as being not so much a melting pot, as we have been taught for decades, but actually a gumbo in which are seasonings are celebrated and work together for the betterment of the taste of the pot of a mixture.

Unfortunately, we really haven’t had a galvanizing movement is the intervening years. We have lived through many movements within the musical world from punk and new wave through rap and country to nu-metal, grunge, teen idols, hair metal, pop punk and EDM, none of which have brought the masses together in one cohesive movement. In science, inertia says that all matter is looking to become individualistic and chaotic, so by an extension, so to must humanity, I’m afraid. It would just be cool to see something like The Wyld Stallions from the Bill and Ted movie franchise actually happen again.

So, I am left to dream of this scenario. And to reminisce about a bygone era, the disco era. With that said, here’s my Top 50 songs of the Disco Era, as I listen to some Bee Gees.

50. The O’Jays – “Love Train” (1972)

49. Kiss – “I Was Made for Loving You” (1979)

48. KC & the Sunshine Band – “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” (1976)

47. Bee Gees – “Jive Talkin'” (1975)

46. ABBA – “Dancing Queen” (1976)

45. Frankie Smith – “Double Dutch Bus” (1981)

44. Lipps Inc. – “Funkytown” (1980)

43. Peaches & Herb – “Shake Your Groove Thing” (1978)

42. Amii Stewart – “Knock on Wood” (1979)

41. Madonna – “Holiday” (1983)

40. Heatwave – “The Groove Line” (1978)

39. Sister Sledge – “We Are Family” (1979)

38. Diana Ross – “Love Hangover” (1976)

37. Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band – “Chez La Femme/Se Si Bon” (1976)

36. Sugarhill Gang – “Rapper’s Delight” (1979)

35. Prince – “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (1979)

34. KC & the Sunshine Band – “Get Down Tonight” (1974)

33. Dan Hartman – “Instant Replay” (1978)

32. Ohio Players – “Love Rollercoaster” (1975)

31. Donna Summer – “Love to Love You Baby” (1975)

30. Patrick Hernandez – “Born to Be Alive” (1979)

29. Chic – “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” (1977)

28. Thelma Houston – “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (1976)

27. Cheryl Lynn – “Got to Be Real” (1978)

26. Andrea True Connection – “More, More, More (Part 1)” (1976)

25. Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” (1979)

24. Blondie – “Call Me” (1980)

23. Barry White – “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” (1974)

22. Chaka Khan – “I’m Every Woman” (1978)

21. Village People – “Y.M.C.A.” (1979)

20. Diana Ross – “I’m Coming Out” (1980)

19. Donna Summer – “Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger)” (1982)

18. Chic – “Good Times” (1979)

17. Bee Gees – “You Should Be Dancing” (1976)

16. The Dazz Band – “Let It Whip” (1982)

15. The Jacksons – “Shake Your Body Down to the Ground” (1978)

14. Rick James – “Super Freak” (1981)

13. Sylvester – “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” (1978)

12. Gloria Gaynor – “I Will Survive” (1978)

11. McFadden & Whitehead – “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” (1979)

10. The Spinners – “Rubberband Man” (1977)

9. Evelyn “Champagne” King – “Shame” (1978)

8. The Rolling Stones – “Miss You” (1978)

7. A Taste of Honey – “Boogie Oogie Oogie” (1978)

6. Blondie – “Heart of Glass” (1978)

5. Donna Summer – “Last Dance” (1978)

4. Bee Gees – “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)

3. Chic – “Le Freak” (1978)

2. The Trammps – “Disco Inferno” (1976)

1. Donna Summer – “I Feel Love” (1977)

What a wonderful musical moment in time! Peace.

Man, the month of January 2021 has been something of an epilogue for the story of 2020. Remember, around Christmas, my dad tested positive for COVID-19 and began to show symptoms. He was then hospitalized for a couple of days, appeared to be medically stable and discharged on New Year’s Day. Then, within 48 hours, everything went south for him. His wife had him rushed to the hospital via ambulance. Thus, he began what has turned into a month-long stay in two different facilities. Finally, he is beginning to get to the point in which I believe the medical team will begin to discuss his release. This is miraculous as he is 85, but his physical conditioning has always defied his age. The man had a pre-coronavirus activity of stretching, push-ups, sit-ups and walking 2.5-3 miles a day. I think this might be his secret for his survival up to this point.

So, it is with a joyful heart in which I tackle this second day of my 150 favorite disco songs. After apologizing my aberrant behavior as a naïve sixteen year-old in 1979 for unwittingly promoting xeno- and homophobia with my “Disco Destroyer” t-shirt, today, I would rather praise the attributes of this unfairly maligned era in rock history.

Thus far, the only “disco” artists to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are Donna Summer, Bee Gees and Abba, though one might say both Abba and the Bee Gees were more of pop groups with a catalog and resume similar to that of Madonna, with the ability to jump from one genre to the next. On the other hand, Donna Summer was referred to as the “Queen of Disco.” And, yes, it was true that she dominated the club dancefloors. Yet, I would argue that she were no different that Janet Jackson in her effort to make her music transcend the dancefloor while making art.

Therefore, it is my belief that Chic and KC & the Sunshine Band’s accomplishments and music should be reevaluated, as well as Sylvester, Grace Jones and Cher. All of these artists were given a huge black eye during the “Disco Sucks” backlash in the aftermath of that “Disco Demolition Night” in July 1979 in Chicago. First, I know the whole Chic argument seemed to be put to rest when the Hall, in its infinitely stupid decision, decided to induct Chic guitarist and half of the songwriting and production partnership known as the Chic Organization Nile Rodgers for Musical Excellence. But, how could the Hall overlook the contributions of Rodgers’ partner and bassist Bernard Edwards, along with the whole crew of vocalists, drummer Tony Thompson and other musicians who all worked together to not only create some everlasting dancefloor classics, but helped birth hip hop along the way. Remember, no “Good Times,” no “Rapper’s Delight,” and thus no big bang moment for rap music.

And, I could go on forever about my firm belief that what Chic did for R&B music with the “Deep Hidden Meaning” in their lyrics is exactly what Steely Dan did for rock. Yet, Steely Dan gets a Hall induction and universal adoration, and Chic, many of whose members were actual jazz, rock and jazz fusion musicians before coming together to form a band whose big hits happened to be disco standards of the day, are left out of the Hall. Few in the rock world can play bass like Edwards, play guitar like Rodgers or drum like Thompson. So, if you are going to ignoring Chic their due since of their disco hits, why then don’t we turn our backs on Kiss (“I Was Made for Loving You”), Rod Stewart (“Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”) and the Grateful Dead (“Shakedown Street”) for their disco hits? As far as Chic is concerned, go listen to their first three albums, Chic, C’est Chic and Risqué, as well as the recent Chic Organization compilation, Nile Rodgers Presents the Chic Organization: Up All Night which collects the best of all of their production works with Chic and others.

Besides Chic, the other artists I listed who are all unfairly labeled as “Disco” are artists whose production work and musicianship influenced the way music moved in the year immediately after their successes and running into this very day. KC & the Sunshine Band paved the way for the Bee Gees big late-Seventies run by showing that Miami had a very vibrant music scene going on back in the day that continued through Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine’s Latin-influenced run up to today’s hits by Pitbull and others. Likewise, Sylvester and Grace Jones’ gender-bending images and lyrics made important strides for the acceptance of the LGBQ+ community during a time when acceptance was barely happening. And, Cher, who is now universally loved for her Bowie-like musical chameleon ability to adapt to the times, is still laughed at by the boomer-aged music critics running the Hall. Yet, that woman is a survivor and a forerunner to Madonna with a more diverse musical catalog.

Disco is NOT a “bad word” in music. The music represents the widest range of musical sounds within a genre this side of new wave. And, like new wave the sprung up in disco’s wake, the attitude of acceptance was everywhere. I am talking about the acceptance of race and sexual orientation. The problem for mainstream America is that all of this acceptance was beginning to make them feel as though they were loosing their “American” identity. Sound familiar? In this regard, disco was not really a mindless, feel good dance music movement but the beginnings of a revolution of liberal love and acceptance in a cultural war that is still being waged over four decades later. Will the insurrection that occurred on 6 January 2021 become the same cultural conflict point as Disco Demolition Night between games of a twilight double header in Chicago on 12 July 1979? Who knows, but as long as I am around, I will continue to point out the parallels between the two.

Please give disco its due! This was a fan moment in time, although I was actually too young to get the full club experience at the time. The one time I really did experience a “real” disco happened during that week I was in Fort Collins, Colorado, during the summer of 1978 for a national athletic event. But, does a disco for teens really count? Did I have fun each night? You bet! Then, yes.

So, get on with the countdown, will ya Keller? Here we go!

100. S.O.S. Band – “Take Your Time (Do It Right)” (1980)

99. Donna Summer – “Hot Stuff” (1979)

98. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes – “Bad Luck” (1975)

97. Musique – “In the Bush” (1978)

96. Van McCoy – “The Hustle” (1975)

95. KC & the Sunshine Band – “Boogie Shoes” (1978)

94. G.Q. – “Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)” (1979)

93. Carol Douglas – “Doctor’s Orders” (1975)

92. Bell & James – “Livin’ It Up (Friday Night)” (1979)

91. Carl Carlton – “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)” (1981)

90. Brothers Johnson – “Stomp” (1980)

89. The Weather Girls – “It’s Raining Men” (1982)

88. The Pointer Sisters – “I’m So Excited” (1982)

87. Foxy – “Get Off” (1978)

86. Earth, Wind & Fire – “September” (1978)

85. Instant Funk – “I Got My Mind Made Up” (1979)

84. Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” (1982)

83. Isaac Hayes – “Don’t Let Go” (1979)

82. Donna Summer – “She Works Hard for the Money” (1983)

81. Indeep – “A DJ Saved My Life Last Night” (1982)

80. Kool & the Gang – “Celebration” (1980)

79. Patrice Rushen – “Forget Me Nots” (1982)

78. Wild Cherry – “Play That Funky Music” (1976)

77. Ohio Players – “Fire” (1974)

76. Funkadelic – “One Nation Under a Groove” (1978)

75. Michael Sembello – “Maniac” (1983)

74. The Emotions – “Best of My Love” (1977)

73. Anita Ward – “Ring My Bell” (1979)

72. Alicia Bridges – “I Love the Night Life (Disco ‘Round)” (1978)

71. David Naughton – “Makin’ It” (1979)

70. Donna Summer – “Dim All the Lights” (1979)

69. BT Express – “Do It (‘Til Your Satisfied)” (1974)

68. Vickie Sue Robinson – “Turn the Beat Around” (1976)

67. The O’Jays – “I Love Music” (1975)

66. Shannon – “Let the Music Play” (1984)

65. Blondie – “Atomic” (1979)

64. Sister Sledge – “He’s the Greatest Dancer” (1979)

63. Disco Tex & the Sex-O-Lettes – “Get Dancin'” (1974)

62. Michael Jackson – “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” (1982)

61. Tavares – “More Than a Woman” (1977)

60. Bee Gees – “How Deep Is Your Love” (1977)

59. Donna Summer – “McArthur Park” (1978)

58. Silver Convention – “Fly, Robin, Fly” (1975)

57. Sylvester – “I Wanna Funk” (1982)

56. Chic – “Everybody Dance” (1977)

55. Machine – “There but for the Grace of God I Go” (1978)

54. Donna Summer – “Bad Girls” (1979)

53. The Gap Band – “You Dropped a Bomb on Me” (1982)

52. Santa Esmeralda – “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” (1977)

51. Kool & the Gang – “Get Down on It” (1982)

Fifty more to go! See you next time. Peace.

1979 was a transitional year in my life. Early on in the year, a month and a day after my sixteenth birthday, I got my driver’s license. Musically, I was diving head-first into new wave and all the new technologies of the Digital Age reinventing the sound of rock music without sacrificing the music’s danceability. Plus, we were looking at the end of a troubling decade and the entrance of a bright shiny new decade full of possibility. To me, it was an exciting time.

Now, forty years on, I look back at one particular incident, and I cringe. Back in 1979, disco music was THE dominant genre of the year, most specifically the first half. But, then it began to happen. The one thing that will kill any movement, from political to musical. All musical movements have their beginnings in the underground, and as they become successful, the bean counters at the record companies immediately look for ways to make money. Thus, the oversaturation point will be hit.

Disco really did not rear its beautiful diversity-celebrating head until 1973, when some dance-based club hits began to find their way on Top 40 radio. For the most part, disco was a producer’s and disc jockey’s playground. Far too many artists of the era were studio concoctions and not true put their time in the bars artists. The transcendent artists of disco, however, were the traditional “put in the time” up from the bars people. I am talking about Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Chic and KC & the Sunshine Band, but I would argue that they were all much more than disco acts. The Bee Gees had hits in many different eras with terrific songwriting and an uncanny ability to adapt to any era. KC and his cohorts were excellent session players with excellent pop instincts. Donna Summer had one of the greatest voices of the rock era who happened to record some excellent disco songs. And, Chic was a band that took the idea of disco and turned that idea on its head with a combination of grace, style and musicianship that put them more in the funk category than disco. Yet, I am willing to admit that I did not realize at the time how disco being a producer’s genre was simply following the format first exploited by Motown, Phil Spector, bubblegum pop, among others.

The oversaturation began every bit as slowly as the genre began to explode in scope. The first sign of this was in 1976 with the novelty hit song “Disco Duck” by disc jockey Rick Dees, who would go on to host a weekly Top 40 radio show as a rival to the great Casey Kasem’s American Top 40. But, after Saturday Night Fever mania set in during the winter of 1977-78, disco started to be found everywhere. Disco could be found in commercials, and disco dancing TV shows were all the rage. Suddenly, our parents were going out to dance, and that was wrong to the youth of America. When our parents began to appropriate our pop culture, it is time to move on.

So, by the summer of 1979, I was ready for something new in music. I didn’t care how great Bad Girls, Spirits Having Flow and Risqué were, I was sick of hearing that 4/4 dance beat on the radio when I KNEW there was some exciting new stuff bubbling up from the underground, such as Devo, Talking Heads and Blondie, never mind that they were all doing some demented things with disco. I was simply in a “out with the ‘old’ and in with the ‘new'” mode. So, when the local rock radio station began a “Disco Destroyer” promotion, I was in. And, I went out and bought a T-shirt in support and wore it often. Proudly, at the time.

Around the same time, the whole “Disco Sucks” movement was underway. Now, allow me to emphatically state right now that I was NEVER a “Disco Sucks” kind of guy. Au contraire! I owned, and still own, my share of disco rather proudly. I was tired of the oversaturation of the genre in pop culture as we lost many terrific new wave singles to yet another club hit, no matter how it was missing some pop hooks. But, in the summer of ’79, the Chicago White Sox held a promotion called “Disco Demolition Night.” That night, if a patron donated a disco record, he or she could buy a ticket to the doubleheader for 99 cents. Now, the White Sox were financially hurting at the time and were looking for all kinds of promotions in an attempt to lure fans into their ballpark for some baseball. With this night, the team was expecting 10 to 25 thousand fans. Instead, 50,000 showed up with their records, their own booze and their own stashes of pot. To top it off, these young people were ready to blow up some records and celebrate their fact that “Disco Sucked.”

According to the ushers, most of the records were not disco, but a variety of R&B and funk albums, full of black artists. This was the first sign that they were witnessing a racial act. Between games, the large box of records were “blown up” in center field, and a melee ensued. Quickly, a full-on riot broke out as thousands of “fans” stormed the field, causing the second game to be cancelled. A keen-eyed rock journalist Dave Marsh, an elder statesman in rock journalism, likened the scene to a fascist book-burning in Nazi Germany. In retrospect, the man was spot on.

As we were on the cusp of the Eighties, the majority of the country was ready to shift back to more conservative political beliefs. Unfortunately, conservative political thought also gives much cover to more racist overtones to become mainstream. And, when I look back at this event, I see this being nearly a white power rally. The thing I am saddest about this whole incident is how I perhaps naively fell for this thing hook, line and sinker. I walked around my school, which was essentially all-white outside of a handful of students of color, with my “Disco Destroyer” shirt believing I was a woke sixteen-year-old who was also exceptionally hip. Now, I see myself as a tool for institutional racism, something that took me 40 years to fully understand.

Look, I WAS tired of hearing some bad disco getting airplay over new wave at the time, but I went about my protest the wrong way. Suddenly, I stopped listening all the aforementioned artists, no matter truly transcendent I believed they were at the time. It was hard enough to survive my teen years as a nerdy athlete (they did not go together in my hometown back then) who had strange political ideas as a teen to continue to publicly pledge allegiance to the Bee Gees and Chic in a rural white school.

This happens to be my darkest moment in music or sports, two sanctuaries in my life where race never played a role to me. But, I allowed myself to become a pawn in a larger scheme that I should have seen back then, but I realized recently just how bad of a role I actually played in this pushback against diversity.

I am not asking for forgiveness. I want to point out just how insidious society’s racism can be, that I, a lover of all kinds of music, regardless of the color of the artist’s skin, religion or sexual orientation, could be unwittingly be enlisted into a subtle racial movement. This will remain the albatross around my neck.

Now, that I have this thing off my chest, let’s get on with a countdown. A countdown?, you ask. Yep! Over the next few days, I am celebrating my 150 favorite disco songs, a group of songs that celebrated the beautiful diversity of life. Everywhere else in the world, disco never died. And, artists from all over the globe have been repackaging it and selling back to us. Americans allowed our disco culture to be extinguished, but we never really stopped buying it. From the hits of ABC in the Eighties to the new stuff by Dua Lipa and Kylie Minogue today, disco remains very much alive today.

Now, let the countdown begin!

150. Blondie – “Rapture” (1980)

149. Tavares – “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel” (1976)

148. Bee Gees – “Beat It” (1982)

147. George McCrae – “Rock Your Baby” (1974)

146. Diana Ross – “Upside Down” (1980)

145. Donna Summer with Brooklyn Dreams – “Heaven Knows” (1978)

144. The Gap Band – “Burn Rubber on Me” (1980)

143. Rose Royce – “Car Wash” (1976)

142. Prince – “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad” (1979)

141. Diana Ross – “The Boss” (1979)

140. Bonnie Pointer – “Heaven Must Have Sent You” (1978)

139. Debbie Harry – “Backfired” (1981)

138. The Jackson 5 – “Dancing Machine” (1976)

137. Rick James – “Give It to Me” (1981)

136. Chicago – “Street Player” (1979)

135. Chic – “My Forbidden Lover” (1979)

134. Yvonne Elliman – “If I Can’t Have You” (1977)

133. Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band – “A Fifth of Beethoven” (1976)

132. Shalamar – “Second Time Around” (1979)

131. BT Express – “Express” (1974)

130. Candi Staton – “Young Hearts Run Free” (1976)

129. Banbarra – “Shack Up (Parts 1 & 2)” (1975)

128. Shirley & Company – “Shame, Shame, Shame” (1974)

127. Cerrone – “Love in C Minor” (1976)

126. Prince – “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” / “DMSR” (1982)

125. Kool & the Gang – “Ladies Night” (1979)

124. Earth, Wind & Fire with The Emotions – “Boogie Wonderland” (1979)

123. Irene Cara – “Flashdance…What a Feeling” (1983)

122. Bee Gees – “More Than a Woman” (1977)

121. Ashford & Simpson – “Found a Cure” (1979)

120. Hot Chocolate – “You Sexy Thing” (1975)

119. Barry White – “You’re My First, My Last, My Everything” (1974)

118. Labelle – “Lady Marmalade” (1975)

117. Average White Band – “Pick Up the Pieces” (1974)

116. Silver Convention – “Get Up and Boogie” (1976)

115. Grace Jones – “I Need a Man” (1977)

114. Heatwave – “Boogie Nights” (1977)

113. Barry Manilow – “Copacabana (At the Copa)” (1977)

112. The Spinners – “Working My Way Back to You” (1979)

111. Brick – “Dazz” (1976)

110. Village People – “San Francisco (medley)” (1977)

109. Gloria Gaynor – “Never Can Say Goodbye” (1974)

108. Manu Dibango – “Soul Makossa” (1973)

107. Donna Summer – “On the Radio” (1979)

106. Loose Joints – “Is It All Over My Face” (1980)

105. Bee Gees – “Night Fever” (1977)

104. Peter Brown – “Dance with Me” (1978)

103. Ritchie Family – “Best Disco in Town” (1975)

102. Dan Hartman – “Relight My Fire” (1979)

101. The Sylvers – “Boogie Fever” (1975)

I was in the early grades of my high school tenure when Chic hit the local radio airwaves with their first hit song, “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” in the winter of 1977. Back then, I did not have a stereo system as I had in college and beyond. Heck, back then I had a record player and a big transistor radio that pulled in AM stations from all over the Midwest and some New York stations, in addition to the local FM stations. I loved to dial in Chicago’s legendary WLS-AM at night to hear their DJs and their playlist. One thing that I loved about the top hits of those days was that no matter whether I listened to them on the transistor or my mom’s console stereo, they all seemed to jump from the radio. And, this song from Chic absolutely jumped from the crappy radio in Mom’s 1972 Buick Skylark, my transistor and the console stereos of my Mom and the parents of my friends. This record was hot and had that great throwback hook of “Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah” that reminded me of the old big band records my Mom and her brother would play whenever we visited my beloved Uncle Dick.

After that, I kept an ear out for Chic on the radio, and during that time period of 1977 through 1979, they were dominating the radio with dance hits like “I Want Your Love,” “Everybody Dance,” “Le Freak” and “Good Times,” to list a few. While I loved that funky brand of disco they played, it was their sly lyrics that separated them from the average disco artist who wanted to boogie all night long. Historically speaking, I have learned just how subversive the whole disco movement was, but I never really got past the music. Plus, I was in my full-blast AC/DC and Kiss phase and had not begun to branch into the punk and new wave stuff beginning to be covered in my favorite rock magazines like CREEM.

Then that whole awful Disco Demolition night happened up in Chicago in the summer of 1979. Just the year prior, I was dancing the nights away in Fort Collins, Colorado, at a national sports event with young ladies from all over the States. When I came home, I was quietly listening to Chic, Village People and Heatwave at home, while still maintaining my high school cred by still espousing a love for all things hard rock, since all my friends and I were in retrospect harboring some racist tendencies that I personally blamed on naivety. When I got to college, I began to slowly uncloak my true likes and dislikes, at first in the entertainment industry, especially music. That’s when I began to stock up on Chic, Parliament/Funkadelic, Rick James, Prince, Bee Gees, etc., with no irony or care.

Over the years, I have begun to noticed just how subversive Chic’s lyrics and music truly were. These guys, first, were creating a version of funk that just so happened to work in discos. Not all funk could do that. Plus, they were not afraid to push the boundaries on  music with drumming that came right out of a Led Zeppelin concert thanks to a Zep-loving drummer named Tony Thompson. Then, the had the funkiest bass this side of Bootsy Collins thanks to Bernard Edwards, who had the ability to sit in that rock-based rhythmic pocket of Thompson’s and funk up the beat with a jazz-like smoothness. On top of all of that was Nile Rodgers’ supped up Steve Cropper-esque scratching that put a rock cherry on top of that R&B-based guitar sound. Plus, he could throw in a Jeff Beck-influenced rock guitar solo that would eventually be expanded by no other than Prince. These guys had the chops of jazz musicians, streamed through the ears of true rock and R&B artists of the past and present. Rodgers claims Chic’s vision and music was influenced by Roxy Music, but I cannot get away from the fact that they seem to be the flipside of Steely Dan more than anything else musically speaking. Either way, this is a band that has gone on to become influences on artists like Sister Sledge, Duran Duran and Prince, to list a couple.

But the true genius of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the heart and soul of Chic was the visionary reach of this creative partnership as a whole production company that worked under the guise of The Chic Organization. You see, Chic in essence was a band that originally consisted of Rodger, Edwards, Thompson, and two female singers, Norma Jean Wright (a solo artist in her own right) and Luci Martin. Unfortunately, some legal conflicts eventually saw Wright leave the band and be replaced by Alfa Anderson. But, The Chic Organization had a coterie of musicians, singers, arrangers, engineers, etc. form around New York City who not only worked on the Chic records but also on the outside productions that Rodgers and Edwards did together and separately. Eventually, The Chic Organization crafted the Eighties dance/rock sound that dominated pop music and the dancefloors throughout the decade. Success collaborations happened with disparate artists such as Debbie Harry, Sister Sledge, David Bowie, Duran Duran, The B-52’s, Jeff Beck, Robert Palmer, to name a few. Additionally, Edwards produced a supergroup called The Power Station, whose members included bassist John Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor from Duran Duran, singer Robert Palmer and Chic drummer Tony Thompson. During Live Aid, Thompson played drums for The Power Station and his heroes Led Zeppelin, while Nile played with both Madonna and Thompson Twins, whom he had produced recent records. Throughout that decade, while Chic was no longer the hit factory it was during the late-Seventies, you could hear the influence of the band’s three musicians all over the radio and beyond.

In 2016, Chic was nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for a record eleventh time, but, for what I believe is an anti-disco faction of the voters, never got the call for induction. Since the Hall was facing growing pressure from a group of Twitter followers loosely self-labeled as Hall Watchers (of which I am proudly one), the administrators decided to induct Nile Rodgers for his Musical Excellence. I think that one ticked me off even more as the Hall ignored the contributions of Edwards, Thompson and the trio of female singers of Wright, Martin and Anderson. Like the Bee Gees and Donna Summer before them, Chic should never be pigeonholed as a disco artist. All three, as well as KC & the Sunshine Band, Sylvester and the Village People, transcended the genre, not merely defined it and should be recognized for that feat.

While I would love to dwell on my Chic fixation, I am going to broaden my argument for their influence over music by listing my Top 40 songs from The Chic Organization, which gives the fullest picture of the band Chic. Please, Rock Hall Nominating Committee and voters, Do Not Forget Chic!

40. “Roses” – Adam Lambert with Nile Rodgers (2020)

39. “Lay Your Hands on Me” – Thompson Twins (1985)

38. “Till the World Falls” – Chic feat. Mura Mosa, Cosha & Vic Mensa (2018)

37. “Saturday” – Norma Jean Wright (1978)

36. “Sea of Love” – The Honeydrippers (1984)

35. “When Smokey Sings” – ABC (1987)

34. “Just Another Night” – Mick Jagger (1985)

33. “Why” – Carly Simon (1982)

32. “Dress You Up” – Madonna (1984)

31. “Backfired” – Debbie Harry (1981)

30. “Looking for a New Love” – Jody Watley” (1987)

29. “Notorious” – Duran Duran (1986)

28. “Forever Young” – Rod Stewart (1988)

27. “You Can Leave Your Hat On” – Joe Cocker (1986)

26. “Upside Down” – Diana Ross (1980)

25. “Pressure Off” – Duran Duran feat. Janelle Monáe & Nile Rodgers (2015)

24. “Savoir Faire” – Chic (1978)

23. “Get It On (Bang a Gong)” – The Power Station (1985)

22. “The Original Sin” – INXS (1984)

21. “Tick Tock” – The Vaughan Brothers (1990)

20. “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” – Robert Palmer (1986)

19. “Material Girl” – Madonna (1984)

18. “Modern Love” – David Bowie (1983)

17. “My Forbidden Lover” – Chic (1978)

16. “Roam” – The B-52’s (1989)

15. “Addicted to Love” – Robert Palmer (1986)

14. “People Get Ready” – Jeff Beck with Rod Stewart (1985)

13. “I Want Your Love” – Chic (1978)

12. “He’s the Greatest Dancer” – Sister Sledge (1979)

11. “Some Like It Hot” – The Power Station (1985)

10. “We Are Family” – Sister Sledge (1979)

9. “Love Shack” – The B-52’s (1989)

8. “Like a Virgin” – Madonna (1984)

7. “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie (1983)

6. “The Reflex (single remix)” – Duran Duran (1984)

5. “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” – Chic (1977)

4. “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk with Pharrell & Nile Rodgers (2012)

3. “I’m Coming Out” – Diana Ross (1980)

2. “Le Freak” – Chic (1978)

1. “Good Times” – Chic (1979)

Unfortunately, Bernard Edwards passed away in 1996 at the age of 43 while the band was on tour riding a wave of disco renaissance then. Recently, Rodgers has put together a touring band that has been storming across Europe and Asia where disco never died. In 2012, interest in the band was piqued by Rodgers hooking up with Daft Punk to blend the styles of the electronic band with that of the disco master on Daft Punk’s brilliant album Random Access Memories. Finally, in 2018, Chic release a great album entitled It’s About Time, which led to a successful tour of North America as the opening act for Cher in a brilliant double-billing of the oft-overlooked but continually brilliant acts.

As I typed this blog, I was listening to the playlist I made from this list (Amazon is missing “Tick Tock”! C’mon Jeff! Surely, you could afford to add The Vaughan Brothers’ Family Style album on your service.), and it all sounds fresh today! It’s time for Chic, both the band AND the organization, to receive their due. Peace.

Sorry that my blog has gotten off to such a slow beginning this year. Having your father in the hospital with COVID just takes up so much time. By the way, he is slowly improving, which is miraculous. For an 85-year-old man, he was in great shape, so maybe all those years of taking care of himself are paying off for him. And, maybe it is all the prayers and positive thoughts being sent his way. I prefer to think it is a combination of all of the above. Hopefully, he will continue to improve.

Now, back to my rockumentary list! I cannot lie! I LOVE a good rockumentary. There is nothing better than a great story about a musical artist bringing said artist to life. Let’s face it that there is nothing better in my book than a great biography being brought to life with music and visual. Rock music was meant to be documented in such a manner. By the way, I am still awaiting for a rockumentary based upon the terrific Ken Sharp series of books about power pop called Play On! Power Pop Heroes (There are four volumes, with one more promised that I have been anxiously awaiting Ken!). Additionally, I would love to see documentaries created about disco, new wave, a more in-depth MTV, John Mellencamp, a professional Cheap Trick, Wham!, The Time, to name a few subjects.

Yet, today, I am presenting my Top 25 rockumentaries. So, let’s get this thing going.

25. Echo in the Canyon (2019). During the Sixties, musicians felt the urge to move West, so they all seemed to settle outside of LA in Laurel Canyon. And, the congregation of so many outstanding songwriting talent led to what we now refer to as the California Sound, that laidback mixture of rock, folk, country and R&B, as popularized by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Joni Mitchel to Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac. Directed by Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers and son of Bob.

24. Joy Division (2007). This film gives brilliant insight into one of Britain’s greatest post-punk bands that eventually evolved into New Order.

23. Punk (2018). Showtime‘s brilliant series about one of rock’s more notorious genres and how it’s revolution is still affecting music today.

22. Airplay (2012). PBS did an excellent job documenting how radio and rock music both rose and fell together. This is great look at this symbiotic relationship.

21. Amy (2015). Sometimes, certain rock artists burst onto the scene like a hot-burning meteor, streaking across the sky before exploding before our eyes. Amy Winehouse was such a talent, who, in essence, set the stage for the arrival of Adele. Once again rock fans are left to play the “What If?” game.

20. The Go-Go’s (2020). This documentary may very well become a catalyst for The Go-Go’s to finally be inducted into the Rock Hall. Maybe Showtime could do something similar for Pat Benatar, The Shangri-La’s and Paul Weller/The Jam/The Style Council.

19. REMTV (2014). Two great tastes that taste great together: R.E.M. and MTV. What better way to document the rise of one of Gen X’s most beloved bands.

18. Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019). CNN pulled off a pitch-perfect documentary about the woman with a pitch-perfect voice.

17. CREEM: America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine (2020). CREEM magazine truly had the spirit of rock music in its pages. And this film shows us just how crazy this cast of characters really were. CREEM was my entry rag into the world of rock, and gonzo, journalism. And they were the reason I was always getting in trouble with my journalism teacher for constantly editorializing in my sports articles.

16. Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017). A behind-the-scenes look at Gaga getting prepared to knock us out during the Super Bowl. Gaga rules!

15. Bee Gees: How Do You Mend a Broken Heart (2020). The most recent documentary on this list, but there was no denying its greatness. My favorite section of the film occurs as the brothers were dominating the music world, the disco backlash was bubbling up into public view. So, the visual juxtaposition of the trio being joined onstage by their younger brother Andy Gibb in a triumphant concert as the Disco Demolition promotion was being played out in centerfield of Chicago’s Comiskey Park. That crescendo shows the Gibbs’ concert reaching its climax with the fake explosion during “Tragedy,” just as the Chicago DJ Steve Dahl blows up a huge box full of disco records that incited a riot. Simply a breath-taking sequence.

14. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (2011). Getting to watch the rise and fall of one of hip hop’s greatest artists is simply a privilege. Just a great film.

13. All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records (2015). A great story about arguably the greatest chain of record stores in the history of mankind reinforces how much we could use Tower Records today.

12. 20 Feet from Stardom (2013). This films tells us the story of how backup singers often have as good of or even voices than the singers for whom they work, but there is just something these people lack in the charisma department that keep them from becoming household names. Still, they press on. This is a more compelling story than Hired Guns.

11. Pearl Jam Twenty (2011). Former rock journalist-turned-successful film director Cameron Crow unfurls the dramatic story of the rise of Pearl Jan from the ashes of Mother Love Bone. Pearl Jam are rock & roll survivors.

10. Rush – Beyond the Lighted Stage (2010). Whenever a movie can make a notoriously off-stage boring band as Rush seem like the most compelling cast of characters, you have a brilliant film. And this documentary IS brilliant.

9. Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (2013). A fantastic look at one of rock’s greatest lost bands. Watch this and become an instant fan.

8. Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991). Any time you get a total access, behind-the-scenes look at one of rock most compelling figures, you know it’s going to be great. But when the subject is Madonna, the film become transcendent.

7. Naptown Radio Wars (2012). Naptown is the old nickname for Indianapolis, back when it was a very boring town. In the 60s, one radio station, WIBC-AM, ruled the airwaves of Central Indiana. Then, WIFE-AM burst onto the scene with some slick-talking DJs and a lively Top 40 playlist. So, the company that owned WIBC created a FM station on this fledgling radio band call WNAP to combat the success of WIFE and to protect WIBC. WNAP, or The Buzzard as the station was known to us fans, not only protected WIBC but also created a whole new format that was adopted by stations across the country. This is the local story about the local radio market yet is so compelling that I feel the message is universal.

6. I Need That Record! The Death (or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store (2010). The story of record collecting and the independent record store.

5. Stop Making Sense (1984). One of the greatest in concert films ever by one of the most visually arresting bands in history. Visually compelling in the band’s presentation and fashion statement that is matched by the musicianship of one of rock’s most overlooked bands.

4. Runnin’ Down a Dream: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (2007). Some may say this film runs long, but fans will be left with the feeling that we want even more! This is a brilliant chronological ride to the top with one of America’s greatest rock bands. As a long-time Petty fan, this is perfect.

3. The Last Waltz (1978). What is a better way to celebrate the last concert of one of rock’s greatest bands? Of course, you invite your favorite musician-friends to play a song or two with you and hire one of film’s greatest directors (Martin Scorsese) to film the whole damn thing. This should be mandatory viewing for every household on every Thanksgiving (it was filmed on Thanksgiving 1976). This is most compelling concert film of all-time.

2. This Is Spinal Tap(1984). This film coined the term “rockumentary.” Now, is this about a real band or not? Since we all know this is a parody, the improved dialogue is just fantastic. I love to lump this both as a documentary and a scripted film. Either way, this is the most influential film, arguably, of all time (Think about it: Best in Show and A Mighty Wind were created in the same manner. Additionally, rock stars everywhere praise the accuracy of characters’ actions.).

1. Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002). Before this movie, who knew who the Funk Brothers were? Be honest. That’s what I thought, just a handful. Then you watch this joint, and you can’t believe that this group of otherworldly talented musicians who created the Motown Sound were totally left out of the financial pot of gold they made. This is a fantastic story about the brotherhood of a group of black and white men who were brothers in the truest sense. I must watch this documentary every three months, and I’d probably watch it more often if I could stream it for free.

And, that wraps it all up! I hope I have inspired you to watch something new. Peace.

Goodbye 2020! You have gone down in history as the worst year I have ever experienced. And, even though we are now officially in 2021, I still feel as though I have discovered an unlisted bonus track for 2020. You see, my father, who has been so very careful throughout the pandemic at my urging, still contracted COVID and has been hospitalized essentially since December 30. I don’t wish this experience on any of you and your loved ones. Although he is 85 years old, Dad has been an example of great health during his retirement years. I firmly believe he is alive today because he walks three miles a day, five days a week. And, every day he stretches, does 50 pushups and 50 sit-ups. The man is in much better shape than I am these days. But, COVID does not care and affects everyone differently as his wife, my step-mother, was the first to become sick, but her course of the disease was mild and relatively short. So, if you could send my dad, Karl, some positive thoughts or prayers or whatever you do, it would be appreciated.

Several years ago, back when this blog was on Facebook and only some of my friends read it, I did a rather undisciplined ranking of my favorite rock documentaries of all-time. For some reason, one of my former high school friends took massive offense to my ranking and blocked me because I categorized A Hard Day’s Night and the biopic The Runaways as rock feature films, he literally blew a gasket, said some awful things in a post, then blocked me. I was taken aback, but I quickly learned that everyone is passionate about their music, so when you blog about music you will occasionally come under attack. I’m just glad I chose to write about music rather than politics or religion or some non-controversial topic.

Anyway, over the past four or five years, I have watched way more documentaries and in-concert films than I care to admit (but thank goodness for Quello/Stingray and Amazon Prime!), but I definitely feel like I can do the subject more justice than I did in the past. Of course, this will not be in the same category as my Rock Hall observer colleague, Nick Bambach, does in this category, but I will try my best.

This is Day 1 of a two-day miniseries. So, let’s get this thing going.

100. Soul Power (2008)

99. Scott Walker: 30th Century Man (2008)

98. Super Duper Alice Cooper (2014)

97. Until the Light Takes Us (2008). A little film about the Norwegian death metal scene.

96. Supersonic: The Oasis Documentary (2016)

95. The Damned: Don’t You Wish We Were Dead (2016)

94. Buena Vista Social Club (1999)

93. Crossfire Hurricane – The Rolling Stones (2012). A look-back at the band on their fiftieth anniversary as a band.

92. Don’t Look Back – Bob Dylan (1966). The granddaddy of all rockumentaries.

91. New York Doll (2005).

90. Upside Down: The Creation Records Story (2010)

89. The Filth and Fury (2000). The real story of the Sex Pistols…or is it?

88. Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story (2019)

87. Dig! (2004). A look at two bands who came out at a moment when fewer people were listening to rock music. The bands? The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

86. Depeche Mode: 101 (1989). A perfectly timed look into the rise of Depeche Mode into a stadium-filling act.

85. Mystify: Michael Hutchence (2019). All about the charismatic lead singer of INXS.

84. Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006).

83. When You’re Strange (2010). A documentary about The Doors.

82. Quincy (2018). Quincy Jones has every right in the world to have a huge ego.

81. Looking for Johnny – The Johnny Thunders Story (2014)

80. Long Strange Trip (2017). Of course it’s about the Grateful Dead.

79. Let It Be (1969). If it was only the last Beatles’ live performance on the rooftop of the Apple Building, this would be noteworthy. And, still it’s more.

78. Athens, GA: Inside and Out (1987). A look at the rock scene of a college town at the dawn of the 80s.

77. The Beatles: Eight Days a Week (2016)

76. ZZ Top: That Little Old Band from Texas (2019)

75. A Band Called Death (2012). An ode to the Detroit punk band that imploded before they could get their due in the 70s.

74. The Decline of the Western Civilization (1981). The first entry by future Wayne’s World director Penelope Spheeris’ look into the LA punk/hardcore scene of the early 80s.

73. Herb Alpert Is… (2020)

72. Marley (2012). It’s about Bob, not that dog in that lame movie with Owen Wilson.

71. Joan Jett: Bad Reputation (2018)

70. Live Aid (2004). The concert event of my generation.

69. Urgh! A Musical War (1981). This was the punk world before there was MTV.

68. This Is It (2009). A look at Michael Jackson’s preparation for his big concert comeback at the O2 in London in the weeks leading up to his death.

67. Dave Chapelle’s Block Party (2006). Exactly what the title says!

66. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco (2002)

65. New Order: Decades (2018)

64. U2: Rattle and Hum (1988)

63. Searching for Sugarman (2012)

62. Heavy Metal Parking Lot (1986)

61. The Secret to a Happy Ending: A Documentary About the Drive-By Truckers (2011)

60. Taylor Swift: Miss Americana (2020)

59. The Beatles Anthology (1995-1996)

58. Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (2019)

57. Muscle Shoals (2013). The magic was in the studio’s musicians, a coterie of forward-thinking good old Southern boys.

56. The Wrecking Crew (2008). The best of the LA session players.

55. The Black Godfather(2019). Clarence Avant is the mastermind and mentor behind nearly every black person in the entertainment industry.

54. Shut Up and Play the Hits (2012). Follow the LCD Soundsystem as they prepare for their “farewell” concert.

53. Jingle Bell Rocks! (2014). All about the everyday Joes who collect Christmas music.

52. American Hardcore (2006). The whole American alternative nation began with these bands, like Black Flag, Hüsker Dü and the rest.

51. Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band (2019)

50. Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (2007)

49. Sound City (2013). Dave Grohl! Was it the soundboard or the building that made the studio so great?

48. It Might Get Loud (2008). Answers the unasked question as to what would happen if Jimmy Page, The Edge of U2 and Jack White all got together with their guitars?

47. Pick It Up! – Ska in the 90s (2020). Of course, No Doubt’s in it! Gwen Stefani sells.

46. If I Leave Here Tomorrow – A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd (2018)

45. Oil City Confidential (2009). A look back at the big pre-punk English band Dr. Feelgood and why they never reached the stardom that many thought they were destined for.

44. Sign o’ the Times (1987). Nothing better than Prince in concert.

43. Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)

42. Duran Duran: There’s Something You Should Know (2018)

41. Monterrey Pop (1968). The first really big rock festival gets the documentary treatment.

40. End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2003)

39. Seven Ages of Rock (2007). A British mini-series that attempted to tell the story of rock history from 1965 to the then-present.

38. The History of Rock & Roll (1995). Under the supervision of Quincy Jones, Time/Life satisfyingly tackles a huge chunk of history in music. Sure, there are holes, so I would love to see this series updated.

37. Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2009). Anvil, one of those heavy metal also-rans continue to chase the golden ring, showing the love between the two original members. Heartwarming, funny and maybe a little sad all at the same time.

36. What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015). Nina Simone is one of music’s most compelling characters.

35. The Kids Are Alright (1979). A great look into The Who.

34. Hip-Hop Evolution (2016 – 2019). Netflix did a fantastic job with this series about the history of rap music.

33. Woodstock (1970). No way this one could be left off the list.

32. Amazing Grace (1972). Aretha Franklin, at the height of her powers, going back to her gospel roots? Yes please!

31. ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke (2019). Netflix’ ReMastered series has had some excellent episodes, but this one about Sam Cooke is mesmerizing.

30. Hired Gun (2017). Being hired to be in a star’s band includes many highs and lows.

29. The Decline of the Western Civilization: The Metal Years (1988). Spheeris really solidified her documentary credentials with this look at the hair metal scene on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood in the mid-80s.

28. No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2005). Dylan gets his first Scorsese treatment.

27. Gimme Shelter (1969). Many consider this to be the definitive film about The Stones.

26. Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America (2019). Who better than ?uestlove and Black Thought to tell the history of hip hop through the most important songs of the genre. Absolutely brilliant!

Well, folks, we’ll pick up here tomorrow! Peace.