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.
Episode Discussion
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Absolutely the most ridiculous thing to make this about anti gay, anti women or racism. PBS used to be a great source of shows now it has become a farce and all they want to do is fan the fires of hatred over nothing. This event was simply about Rock and Roll vs Disco. Making it anything more is pathetic.
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