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...

[RJhog (Admin)]

It's a very large rock, big enough to cover my...oh never mind.  

But it's true.  It spent some time on my wish list but I just never picked it up.  I've always looked for it at the used CD store but never seen it.  But chill out Danno, I actually own 9 AC albums now, just not this one. If you ask me which is best out of the ones I own, I'd say Brutal Planet, but that's another thread.  I've now highjacked this one enough.

[Scott]

You need From The Inside!  Need it!

[Bren Jones]

I have to go with Blondie "Heart of Glass." That song is catchy and comes off of a great album.

I will also tell RJ he needs From the Inside. I will join others in saying Alice Cooper is awesome. Such a top notch live performer and his voice has more range than you may realize. For me, I like singers that have some character in their voice. Neil Young is one of my favorites and while he may not be the greatest technical singer ever, I just love his voice. I am so-so on Ozzy Osbourne's music but his voice is undeniable. Alice is the same way.

Chicago is a good band and that is a good song listed here. I think the problem with Chicago is their music is somewhat predictable and very hit or miss.