HOUSE MUSIC RADIO

Italo Disco, the precursor to what we know now as "House".

 

1983: In Europe, the Italians were about to launch a new dance music (Italo Disco) that later became a precursor to what we know now as "House".

 

July 12, 1979: "Disco Demolition Night". The late 1970s saw a radical move to end the disco era in the USA and the UK. It was viewed by many as an attempt by macho rock lovers to stamp out the gay liberation and black pride movements. Culminating in a symbolic burning of piles of disco records at Chicago's baseball stadium Comiskey Park. The so-called Disco Demolition Night staged in Chicago, Illinois, on July 12, 1979, involved thousands of baseball fans bringing along their unwanted disco records and burning them. The rally caused such a commotion that the game was cancelled when enraged crowd began to tear up the stadium. The anti-disco campaign was imitated overseas and was supported by radio stations in the UK and Australia. From that point on, Disco music went back underground and started to change. Eventually, Disco reinvented itself with the introduction of synthesizers and electronic drum machines. Ironically, it was the underground dance music scene (not the large music corporations), led by creative Dee Jays and supported by club patrons, was once again ultimately responsible for development of new styles of dance music. Hip hop was emerging in the East Coast, and Electro became a new thing in black music. The Italians were about to launch a new dance music that later became a precursor to what we know now as "House".

 

Italo Disco As A Foundation for House Music.
Preeminent "underground" Italo records popular in US circa '83 Klein & MBO "Dirty Talk" (Zanza) Doctor's Cat "Feel The Drive" (Il Disc) Alexander Robotnick "Problemes D'Amour" (FuzzDance) Fun Fun "Happy Station" (X-Energy) My Mine "Hypnotic Tango" (Progress)

The Last Days Of Italo Disco... 1986

While Italo Disco faired poorly in US charts, it enjoyed better success in Europe. However, its success did not last long enough to earn it a "mainstream" status. The writing was on the wall in 1986 when House music emerged in Chicago as "the new best thing", and later it was exported to Europe and took over UK's club scene like a storm.