Many people have heard of disco but not many people know its true origin and culture. It is usually known as the time in the world when people wore afros and colorful bell bottoms. Disco was created on Valentine’s day by the great David Manusco in the 1970s. This is a genre that grew from many other genres of music such as soul, jazz, gospel, and funk. It was originally geared towards gay and black people but later got whitewashed as it got more popular in the industry.
Disco grew to be more popular because DJs would play it at small events and it eventually gained traction. It originally began to grow in New York because that’s where Manusco resided. Disco recordings were often built on a propulsive underlying rhythm section, around which a wide range of instrumental and vocal techniques emerged using structured songs and groove-oriented tracks. Some famous songs out of this genre are I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor and YMCA by The Village People. Disco culture was originally called discotheque. Discotheque in french means “library of phonograph records”.
Disco began with Manusco hosting small yet influential parties in a club that eventually was named The Loft. The Loft was a place that excepted all people and sexualities. It grew so much that The Loft inspired many other private parties in New York. This type of music drew a lot of dance crowds which made the genre expand to a whole new group of people. Disco originally referred to discotheques but it later became music that was played in that sort of setting. Though it was created in the 70s, it did not peak until 1978-79 and then rapidly fell in 1980. Even though disco was a short-lived phase, it is forever remembered and seen as one of the most iconic times in music.
