Disco Essential: Donna Summer

Bad Girls - Donna Summer





Donna Summer is known today for the extreme lifestyle changes she has made since her disco days. She is religious and an active, positive contributor to her community. Due to the explicit nature of some of her songs, Summer has actually excluded these songs from her performances. Many of these songs have not been performed by Summer herself in over twenty years.

Disco Essential: Earth, Wind & Fire

Reasons - Earth, Wind & Fire



Earth, Wind & Fire is known for their soulful crooning. Lyrically, the group touches upon a variety of topics, from dancing, to peace, to love, to traditional African culture. EWF has sold over 90 million albums, making them the seventh best selling American band of all time. In 2000, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Most recently, Earth, Wind & Fire was invited to perform at the Governors' Dinner. They performed at the White House February 22, 2009. This event was the first formal White House Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

Disco Essential: The Jacksons

Dancing Machine - The Jacksons



The Jacksons, also known as the Jackson 5, were introduced to America by Diana Ross at the Daisy Hotel in August, 1968. They sky-rocketed to fame with their first hits, such as "I Want You Back" and "A-B-C." The group also allowed Jermaine and Michael to launch their own solo careers in the 80s. The Jacksons at one time had their own cartoon television show and a variety show. The Jackson family has stayed out of the headlines recently, however Randy Jackson has been seen judging the American Idol competition.

Disco Essential: KC and the Sunshine Band

Play That Funky Music White Boy - KC and the Sunshine Band



KC and the Sunshine Band is well known for their disco presence and for crossing racial and social boundaries. Several of the group's songs have been included in the Dance Dance Revolution video games. Furthermore, KC was a guest star on an April episode of American Idol (where he undoubtedly ran into Randy Jackson of Jackson family fame) where he performed "Get Down Tonight."

Disco Essential: Bee Gees

Night Fever- Bee Gees


Night Fever is the theme song to film Saturday Night Fever (starring John Travolta) which is considered by many to be the epitome of disco (as far as movies go.) The Bee Gees were considered one of the biggest- if not the biggest- band of the disco era. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "Only Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees." After Maurice Gibb died of a strangulated intestine in 2003, the Bee Gees decided to end the continuation of the group's name in lieu of cementing the image that the group was three brothers. Recently, Barry and Robin have embarked to Australia to film a documentary about their world-renown band.