The Hippest Trip in America by Nelson George

Author:Nelson George
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3, pdf
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2013-03-11T07:00:00+00:00

Disco would have a variety of impacts on black music. While rawer-sounding records never went away (with bands like Parliament-Funkadelic, Slave, the Bar-Kays, and Cameo staying true to the funk), the sophisticated sounds of disco were viewed by many record-industry executives as an easier way to reach white audiences. Some R&B stars found success adapting to disco flavor (Johnnie Taylor’s “Disco Lady” in 1976 was the biggest hit of his long career), while many great talents made their worst records chasing the trend. (Aretha Franklin’s 1979 album La Diva was her poorest-selling record ever.)

Disco also introduced a number of new acts to Soul Train. A few, like the New York–based band Chic, would have staying power. But most were one- or two-hit wonders (the Trammps, South Shore Commission, First Choice) who never sold many records outside the East Coast. More enduring was the impact disco would have on dancing on the show, as the hustle began sharing the dance floor with popping and locking. The long-legged individuality that dancers like Damita Jo Freeman had introduced to the show wouldn’t go away, but less funky, more self-conscious sophistication in movement and dress became part of the weekly mix. Soul Train was never overrun by the faux glitz of Saturday Night Fever, but dance culture was changing, and the show reflected that evolution.

But Don Cornelius would do more than accommodate disco acts on his show. He’d use disco as a springboard into his own label by plucking a couple of stars off his dance floor.

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