The History of Disco and House Music: A Journey Through Sound and Culture

Disco and house music are two of the most influential genres in modern dance music. From the extravagant dance floors of the 1970s to the underground clubs that birthed house music in the 1980s, these genres have shaped the way we experience rhythm, movement, and community on the dance floor. This article explores the origins, evolution, and impact of disco and house music.

"Soul Makossa" by Manu Dibango is one of the first songs to be widely considered as 'Disco'.

The Birth of Disco (1970s)

Disco emerged in the early 1970s as a fusion of soul, funk, and pop music. It was heavily influenced by the dance culture of New York City, particularly within Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ communities. Clubs like The Loft, founded by David Mancuso, and Paradise Garage, with DJ Larry Levan, became epicentres of disco culture.

Disco music was characterised by its four-on-the-floor beat, lush orchestration, syncopated bass lines, and soaring vocals. Artists such as Donna Summer, Chic, The Bee Gees, and Gloria Gaynor dominated the charts, bringing disco to mainstream audiences worldwide. Hits like "I Will Survive" and "Stayin’ Alive" became anthems of the era.

The ever popular Disco was portrayed on the silver screen in the film "Saturday Night Fever". The Bee Gees produced an incredible soundtrack for the film which has now become synonymous with the Disco genre.

Despite its popularity, disco faced backlash from rock purists and conservative groups, culminating in the infamous "Disco Demolition Night" in 1979. This event, where disco records were burned at a baseball stadium, symbolised the genre’s decline in mainstream popularity. However, disco’s influence never truly faded—it simply evolved into new forms, paving the way for house music.

Jesse Saunders' "On and On" was the first House record made back in 1984.

The Rise of House Music (1980s)

House music originated in Chicago in the early 1980s, emerging from the remnants of disco. DJs like Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, and Jesse Saunders pioneered this new sound, blending disco with electronic drum machines and synthesisers. The term "house" is said to have come from the legendary Chicago nightclub The Warehouse, where Frankie Knuckles played extended sets that redefined dance music.

House music retained disco’s steady four-on-the-floor beat but incorporated deeper bass lines, repetitive grooves, and electronic instrumentation. Tracks like "On and On" by Jesse Saunders and "Move Your Body" by Marshall Jefferson became foundational house anthems.

By the late 1980s, house music had spread to Europe, influencing the UK rave scene and evolving into various sub-genres such as acid house and deep house. Simultaneously, in New York, house music took on a soulful edge through artists like Masters at Work and Todd Terry.

Farley "Jackmaster" Funk's "Love Can't Turn Around", which reached #10 in the UK singles chart in September 1986.

House Music Goes Global (1990s - Present)

The 1990s saw house music gain international prominence. Artists like Daft Punk, Armand Van Helden, and David Morales helped push house into the mainstream, leading to the explosion of electronic dance music (EDM) in the 2000s.

Today, house music remains a dominant force in the music industry, with sub-genres such as tech house, progressive house, and future house keeping the genre fresh and innovative. Festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival attract millions of house music enthusiasts every year, proving that the genre’s influence is stronger than ever.

Daft Punk was amongst some of the many artists who brought House Music to the mainstream. Their track "Around The World" was one of the songs that defined the genre in the 1990s.

From the glitzy days of disco to the underground beats of house music, these genres have shaped dance culture and influenced countless artists. While disco and house music may have started in marginalised communities, they have grown into global movements that continue to bring people together on the dance floor. As long as there’s a need for rhythm, connection, and liberation, disco and house music will continue to thrive.