Blondie: Heart of Glass (1979)

Blondie was very good at incorporating other influences into their punk/new wave sound. "Heart of Glass" is an example. In 1979, a war raged between rock fans and disco advocates. In the end, rock won.  However, before the ultimate victory, Blondie added disco into their took kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGU_4-5RaxU

Donna Summer: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2013

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/donna-summer/bio/

Official Site: http://www.donnasummer.com/



Donna Summer moved to Munich, where she was discovered. Eventually, she became the "Queen of Disco."

Wasserman (1968): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GL-86DifmY



She was signed in 1974 and broke out in 1975.

Love to Love You Baby (1975): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5AztWseIdU



Then, disco stardom...

I Feel Love (1977): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2q2bis6eLE

Last Dance (1978): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOpUfTi1keI

MacArthur Park (1978): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uKEu82PRLo

Heaven Knows (1978): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO-y1cgLg3s

Hot Stuff (1979): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPlV2dzXWCw

Bad Girls (1979): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzxW4eu9heY

No More Tears w/Barbara Streisand (1979): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQc_90maEqk

On the Radio (1979): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q33MM5JGzGM

The Wanderer (1980): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRuv7Dlyh1k

Love Is In Control (1982): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkMpQsVux3g

She Works Hard for the Money (1983): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX7MbG6MiQs

Summer performed at the Reagan Inaugural (1984): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53eYRLs-aX4

Dinner With Gershwin (1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1P5lHH9fx8

This Time I Know It's For Real (1989): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCtDAAPO-j4

Melody of Love (1994): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaErMN9dwXk



In the 90s, she appeared in Family Matters as Urkel's aunt.

I'm a Fire (2008): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIqN7vXvYbs

To Paris With Love (2010): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGoZNmtlOt0



Donna Summer died of cancer in 2012. She blamed her cancer on 911.

ABBA: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010

ABBA was made up of two couples. They united in 1970.

People Need Love (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnt9lNhm3Nw

Ring Ring (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL0EoXdpOqg


ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 propelling them to superstardom. The Swedish band was one of the first from a non-English nation to become stars in the English speaking world.

Waterloo (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj_9CiNkkn4

Honey, Honey (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg7ZsOFSV7c

I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW3HN_pvbE4

SOS (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvChjHcABPA

Mamma Mia (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unfzfe8f9NI

Fernando (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8bm6XlxuCY


One of the biggest songs of the period came next…

Dancing Queen (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s

Knowing You Knowing Me (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUrzicaiRLU

The Name of the Game (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc6-kL78w6k


Take a Chance on Me (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-crgQGdpZR0

The Winner Takes It All (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92cwKCU8Z5c

Super Troupe (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BshxCIjNEjY

Thank You For the Music (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy35IQjjAeI


They split in 1982.

Their music has been used in a number of films and shows ever since. In 1999, it was adapted for the musical, and later film, Mama Mia.

Mamma Mia (1999): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQKk1nkDa8U

Gamble and Huff: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008

Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff were record producers that pioneered Philadelphia soul. The pair produced 15 gold singles and 22 gold albums. Gamble began at age 17 when he teamed with Jerry Ross. Gamble joined the pair soon thereafter.
In 1971, Gamble and Huff formed Philadelphia International to rival Motown. Clive Davis aided the pair in their venture. The sound evolved from simple to complex. The Philadelphia sound was a major influence on disco. The genre began to decline after 1975. In 1982, their biggest star, Teddy Pendergrass, was paralyzed in a car accident. They have since continued to write (over 3000 songs) and have collected numerous awards and honors.


Some of their work:
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me by Dionne Warwick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUmFpbcm4_8

Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWOTdt9Bovk

If You Don't Know Me By Now by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbaSh8i5eyE

Love Train by the O'Jays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTp0AlTuPNA

For the Love of Money by the O'Jays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXE_n2q08Yw

The Bee Gees: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1997

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-bee-gees/bio/

The Bee Gees formed in 1958 and within two years were featured on Australian TV.

Wine and Women (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gNGBshO6H0

They did not become international stars until the late 60s.

New York Mining Disaster 1941 (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z6_Ik7WrYY

To Love Somebody (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykU8iSKkJR0

Massachusetts (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc5oqjFsT5g

I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10_REPqPlP0

I Started A Joke (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq6YmSVAOG8

They continued into the 70s:

Lonely Days (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpIcjNa1cqQ

My World (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcWpiDgcZA8

Then came disco…

Jive Talkin (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBw25CrUS-o

You Should Be Dancing (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trHRiFzduW0

They did the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever and became superstars

How Deep Is Your Love (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpqqjU7u5Yc

Stayin’ Alive (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY&feature=branded

Night Fever (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ihs-vT9T3Q&feature=branded

More Than A Woman (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjppwVyoQww

Their popularity continued until disco died.

Tragedy (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPcsMMEMbfw

The Woman In You (1983):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HfSmF4YGAI

By the 80s, they had become a punchline, but still produced solid songs.

One (1989):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i71uFC32Jrw

Secret Love (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiV21w4WkaY

For Whom The Bell Tolls (1993):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zac67icPAUs

Alone (1997):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6eaCpRs3gw

This Is Where I Came In (2001):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW2tGPvsR2E

Maurice Gibb died in 2003. Robin passed in 2012. They have sold over 220 million records. Only Elvis, The Beatles, Garth Brooks, Michael Jackson, and Paul McCartney have sold more.

The Isley Brothers: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-isley-brothers/bio/

1954: Formed as a Gospel band

Twist and Shout (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTaqn8_gMR0

The band hired Jimi Hendrix to play guitar. He left by 1966.

This Old Heart of Mine (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yiOqTG9Nno

It’s Your Thing (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMimqfJVedE

I Turned You On (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1loKmKz8EE

(Who’s) That Lady (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18C5bGDWmas

Summer Breeze (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T88fbHOmvRk

Fight the Power (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRkw9UnVhug

For the Love of You (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd2sOqbIcaM

The Pride (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF29wpFkl-I

It’s a Disco Night (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IY8DtmHok0

Don’t Say Goodnight (1980):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj8wufqK59Y

Group split in 1984, but reformed in 1991 From 1991 on, they found success working with R&B and rap artists such as R. Kelly, Puff Daddy, and Lil Kim.

If You Were There (1984): WHAM! Cover:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f8f2ndBXOU

Contagious (2001):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qnSz6Lh5pY&ob=av2n