The War on Disco

The explosive sound that ignited a culture war

The War on Disco — Plot

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.

• Release date
• October 30, 2023
• Runtime
• 51 min
• Genres
• Documentary, History, Music
• Director
• Lisa Quijano Wolfinger

The War on Disco — Cast

Felipe Rose Self Steve Dahl Self

L

Linda Clifford Self Rich King Self

D

Daphne Brooks Self

J

Jefferson Cowie Self

A

Adam Greenfield Self

R

Ray Smith Self