Hidden Treasures - Disco Rockers

[Scott]

 

Few things have so decisively pissed off classic rock fans as much as one of their favorite rock and rollers releasing a Top 40 track. Seems like hitting the charts could be forgiven if it was seen as accidental or a one time thing. But when our favorite rockers released a song that sounded more like a Disco dance tune, well... they were met with anger and we felt betrayed. Artists were looked at as Sell Outs.

 

I recall Paul Stanley saying something to the effect that if the kids wanted a loud bass line then KISS would be more than happy to give them one, and *poof* out come "I Was Made For Loving You" - the beginning of the end for them? And Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy"?  When you realize that Carmine Appice co-wrote it, then it suddenly becomes more curious than just Rod doing a Disco song. How about Blondies "Heart of Glass"? That was a little out of place on an otherwise purely New Wave/Punk album. Strange times indeed...

 

And stranger yet, if any of you were like me, you owned a "Disco Sucks" t-shirt and wore it proudly out in public, but then secretly enjoyed the disco beats of Saturday Night Fever, The Bee Gees, and KC and the Sunshine band. Admit it! You did...

 

So lets take a moment and look back at some of our favorite classic "rock" artists who dabbled in the disco beats and tried to score a hit! Were they ever able to recover from this betrayal? And have you forgiven them yet?

 

PLAYLIST --> http://snack.to/a7j5gmjc

	Chicago - Hot Streets 1978 1 - Alive Again Lets start off with the least surprising track. No one would be shocked to see a Chicago song on this list. But at the time it was a huge musical shift for the band. This was their first release after the death of Terry Kath and the jazz rock fusion he brought to the band was decidedly gone in favor of new up-tempo beats and ballads. So I tend to think this wasn't what fans expected at the time. Interestingly enough... Recording sessions took place both in Miami and Los Angeles after years of working in Colorado. By the end of the sessions, the band felt as though they were still in a strong musical position even after the loss of Kath. Recording the album "Spirits Having Flown" next door at the same Miami studio, some of the tracks featured the Bee Gees and their keyboardist, Blue Weaver. The Gibb brothers added vocals to the song "Little Miss Lovin'" while Weaver added synthesized strings to "No Tell Lover" and "Show Me The Way". In turn, Chicago's horn section played on Spirits Having Flown, most notably on the hit single "Too Much Heaven".
	Alice Cooper - From The Inside 1978 2 - From The Inside In 1978, a sobered Cooper used his experience in the sanitarium as the inspiration for the semi-autobiographical album From the Inside, which he co-wrote with Bernie Taupin of ELton John fame. But he also added guitarist Davey Johnstone and bassist Dee Murray from Elton Johns band for the recording as well. Around this same time period, he also appeared in an against-typecasting role as a piano-playing disco bellboy in Mae West's final film, Sextette, and as a villain in the film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. And though its not surprising to see Cooper change direction on an album, its still somewhat interstzing to hear his talke on the flavor of the day. From The Inside is easily my favorite Alice Cooper album and the title track is a Top 3 Cooper tune as well. Heres an example of a successful incorporation of a disco bass line and beat.
	Queen - Jazz 1977 3 - Fun It Critical reaction upon release was not particularly favorable, with scathing reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone and Creem. In recent years, reviews have tended to be more favorable, with Allmusic, Q and George Starostin giving positive reviews. Paul Rees of Q awarded the record four stars, and wrote, "Their most underrated album, like A Night at the Opera it took in a wild array of musical styles." "Fun It" was a funk track with a disco vibe by Taylor, where both Mercury and himself shared the vocals. Taylor did the lead vocals, while Mercury was backup. Taylor used Syndrum pads and played most of the instruments. It can be seen a precursor to "Another One Bites the Dust", especially with the intro of this track.

BONUS FOOTAGE...

[Jon]

"Jazz" might have received scathing reviews back then, but I'm sure they all gave the included poster a big thumbs up. If they say different, then they're all stinking liars!

It's one hell of an underrated album in the Queen catalogue. To be perfectly honest, I didn't like it much until a friend told me to listen to it again (it was the early 80's), and notice the geetar work. So I did and that album grew into one of my favorites. 

That Alice Cooper song is pretty good. And saw the mention of SPLHCB, wasn't that whole soundtrack basically disco? Disco-fied Beatles songs! Kinda like Meco discofying everything.

Never considered that Chicago song disco, but in this context IT IS. Weird how things work out.

A couple that come to mind are Rolling Stones "Miss You", Wings "Goodnight Tonight" and, of course,  quite a few ELO songs were disco.

I'm dancing, baby!

[Scott]

Last Train To London was on my short list, but I didn't think anyone would be too surprised at an ELO top 40 tune, or a disco beat from them.  Actually thought the Chicago tune would go over better, but Im not too surprised it didn't.  But I loved the fact that it was a BIG change in direction for them, and it being the album opener I thought was a big statement, so I tried to get that to come across...  oh well.

[Niels (Mod)]

Yeah, I was an oficial Disco-hater, but I guess I liked Bee-Gees, Hot Choclate, Donna Summer and stuff like that. My sister played that kind of music all of the time in the 70's, and I was sick of it at the time, but later on, I noticed, that I liked the songs from that periode. Compared to (C)rap it's great music. When KISS released Dynasty, I didn't really thought, that IWMFLY was disco, until my sister told me, just like "Heart Of Glass" by Blondie: I like that song, and then my sister said: "Oh, you like disco now, do ya" (In danish of course) and then I didn't liked it as much, officially. At the time I though, that KISS were a litlle late doing a Disco-number, since Disco was kind of "old news" in '79. Even when Stones released "Some Girls" in '78, they were a little late. "Don't Ya think I'm sexy" was/is a good song, and I didn't really think of it as Disco at the time, but of course it was.

I don't think, that I've heard that Chicago-tune? Chicago was always a pop-band to me, so it doesn't really sound like something different from them. I like some of there most wellknown tunes, like "You're A Hard Habit To Break" aso, but I was never a fan. This track is okay.

Sorry, Danno, but I don't really care for Alice Cooper, never have and never will. His voice is soo weak, and I don't care for either the music or the songs. I like "Schools out" but that's it. If I had noticed him before I noticed KISS in '76, I might had been a fan, because his stage-shows looked cool in the middle of the 70's. This track I don't like, surprise-surprise. But I can hear it's much more disco, than what he usually plays.

Queen I like!! I wouldn't call me a fan, more like a semi-fan. They HAVE made my favorite track of all time, and the third best album ever, but they have made some sh.. also.This one is okay, but as usual when it's a Roger Taylor-song, it's not very good. It is a Taylor-song, right? The guitars are as usual awesome and outstanding. This is the best track among these 3.

Nice topic, Scott. I am really enjoying Hidden Treasures at the moment.  

[Scott]

Hot Chocolate! I liked them too!  And I gotta admit, Donna Summer was truly "Hot Stuff" during this era.

[Dannolonghair]

Chicago is a band I just never got into, and really see no need to. I know I've heard a couple songs but I couldn't tell you which ones or anything about them and I doubt I am missing anything from my point of view. I know they are enjoyed by others and thats fine, just not for me so I can't really comment on their disco groove here.

The Jazz album was actually one of the first ones I bought I think after Sheer Heart Attack. Again, I am not a big follower of Queen but I would consider myself a fan for sure. I remember after listening to Jazz, I couldn't figure out why it was called Jazz. Still don't know why actually. I also recall being a tiny bit disappointed after cutting my ears with Sheer Heart Attack. Of course you can't go wrong with songs like Bicycle Race or Fat Bottomed Girls. I do hear some unusually stuff on this album, but for Queen...not that unusual. As far a Rolling Stone or Cream giving a scathing review...t'ell with them.

And now we have Niels fav...(hahaha...no offense buddy) I am a bit surprised though. I have many friends who really only tend to like this album out of Coop's entire catalog. In all honesty, it never occured to me that this would be considered disco inspired. I always looked at it as a fresher healthier Cooper who came up with a totally different sound, even for him albeit with the help of Taupin. This album does tend to stand completely by itself much the same as Dynasty does for KISS. i do agree, the bass line and even the highhat/snare action does come across very much disco-esque but with some killer guitar work. This is probably Coop's funniest album. If you listen to the lyrics it is just hilarious and I think they pulled off a great concept album here. I am sure Flush the Fashion and Special Forces would go along these lines too and most definitely Zipper Catches Skin.

As far a I Was Made for Loving You"....yeah...they went just a bit too far with that one, although I do still like it. In fact Dynasty is one of my favorite KISS albums. And it was years before I realized that 2000 Man was a Stones cover. I think Ace really killed his version. (killed meaning he pulled it off wonderfully).

I was trying to think of what other bands may have went side ways on an album or two, and unfortunately I have to mention Grand Funk. I am a big fan of this band too but 2 of their albums, (1976) Born to Die and theFrank Zappa produced album (1976) Good Singin' Good Playin'. Both these albums, while they do have some good FUNKY gems, also have some weaker disco-esque type crap.Perhaps this was more Zappa inspired than disco. It was after these 2 albums that they finally called it quits due to, in my opinion, issues that arose from that ass manager Terry Knight who sued the band for tens of millions and basically ruined them. But that's another story.

lookin' forward to others response on this. Cheers guys.

[Scott]

Danno, you may like some early Chicago, very jazzy and geetar driven.  Terry Kath is a true master at song writing and with his instruments...  It was this album that things changed for them

[Dannolonghair]

I will have to look into that. Thanks.

[Scandal 2000]

I respectfully disagree with Niels. Alice Cooper is my favorite rocker (KISS on the otherhand I pretty much can't stand) and that Alice voice is what makes it great. To me, Alice has one of the most recognizable voices in all of music. The From the Inside album is probably my favorite Alice album ever.

[Niels (Mod)]

I agree, that it is a cool cover. When I early on saw pictures of Cooper, and pictures from his shows, I thought that the music would be much heavier than it was.

But if he did release a great box-set, meaning tracks and stuff from the 70's (I have bought some of his 80's albums, and I don't like it) and maybe a DVD with an old show and a great looking "book" in the pacage, I would strongly consider to buy it.  I wouldn't buy "Old School - 64-74", because first of all it goes to far back in time, and further more, I have NO interest in an interview-cd or bootleg-stuff. But what about "The life and crimes of AC"? Do you think, I would like him better, if I invested in that box? Unfortunally there's no DVD, and it "goes" from '65 (too early) to '98 (much too late). My interest is more like 1970-1979. Is it the best of AC you'll get by buying this set, if you only TRY to like him, just like I do?  

[Scandal 2000]

From the Inside isn't really a disco album though Bernie Taupin played a big role on this one. It contains some of Alice's most clever lyrics and a few of the tunes on it are really rocking. If you want to hear a true disco song that Alice years later said was his least favorite song, check out No More Love (At Your Conveinence) off of Lace and Whiskey. This was during Alice's time when he was drinking heavily and this song actually was somewhat of a hit in 1977.

Love Queen, but they have done a lot better than the Jazz album.

I was never a fan of Chicago.

[RJhog (Admin)]

When I think of Disco songs, I think of great bass lines and the constant beat of a kick drum.  As far as these songs go:

1. Alive Again - The beginning sounds like a Bee Gees song, so that part would qualify for me.  But the rest just doesn't sound that disco to me.  It just doesn't seem like a song that would be played in a room with a disco ball spinning.

2. From The Inside - This is my first time hearing it.  The piano intro sounds like Chicago.  Go figure.  This has that drum beat and a pretty strong bass presence.  The vocals make me think of one of those novelty songs.  I'd say this is disco inspired.  And I like the song too.  I have to pick up this album one of these days.

3. Fun It -  I have this album, but I don't really remember this song.  The drum beat is there and so is the bass.  And he says "dynasty" in the lyrics, so that makes it qualify for sure.  I'd say this is the disco"est" of this batch.

I'd say this song from The Kinks:

...and this song from Queen:

[Dannolonghair]

From the Inside....first time hearing it?????? have to pick it up one of these days. Just how big is that rock you've been under. lol