Member-only story

Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died

Yukio Mishima

·9.9k Followers· Follow

Published in Kindle Edition

4 min read · 3 weeks before

165 View Claps

22 Respond

Save

Listen

Disco Demolition Night Chaos At Comiskey Park Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died

Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	24346 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	250 pages

On July 12, 1979, at Comiskey Park in Chicago, a baseball game turned into a raging inferno of musical pyrotechnics. That night, a promotion known as "Disco Demolition Night" would forever be etched into the annals of popular culture as the day when disco music went up in flames.

The mastermind behind this controversial event was Mike Veeck, the eccentric owner of the Chicago White Sox. In an effort to boost attendance at a struggling team, Veeck conceived the idea of a doubleheader paired with a demolition of disco records between games.

Disco music, a genre characterized by its pulsating rhythms, glitzy costumes, and hedonistic lyrics, had exploded onto the music scene in the mid-1970s. But by 1979, it had become a polarizing force, with detractors decrying its decadence and superficiality.

As the fateful night approached, anticipation reached a fever pitch. Thousands of fans, both ardent disco lovers and staunch opponents, flocked to Comiskey Park. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of excitement and unease.

Between the first and second games of the doubleheader, Veeck's crew took to the field with a crate filled with disco records. As Chicago White Sox pitcher Steve Stone hurled them onto a bonfire, the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Fans stormed the field, gleefully throwing their own disco albums into the inferno.

The chaos escalated rapidly. Disco records were shattered, trampled, and burned. The fire spread, engulfing the second-base bag and sending thick smoke billowing into the air. Players and coaches frantically retreated to the dugouts as the mayhem spiraled out of control.

Police were called in to quell the riot, but their efforts proved futile. The crowd continued to rampage, setting fire to seats and causing widespread damage. The second game of the doubleheader had to be canceled, and the White Sox were forced to forfeit the contest.

In the aftermath of the Disco Demolition riot, the fallout was swift and severe. Veeck was widely condemned for inciting the violence, and the White Sox organization faced financial penalties. Disco music suffered a major blow, as its popularity plummeted and it was effectively banished from mainstream radio.

However, the legacy of Disco Demolition Night extends far beyond its immediate consequences. It stands as a testament to the deep cultural divide that existed in America during the late 1970s, a period of social and economic upheaval.

In the decades since, Disco Demolition Night has been revisited and analyzed through a variety of lenses. Some see it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mob mentality and the power of manipulation. Others view it as a symbolic moment in music history, marking the end of disco's dominance and the beginning of a new era in popular music.

Regardless of one's perspective, Disco Demolition Night remains an unforgettable and controversial event that continues to captivate and provoke discussion. It is a story that offers a glimpse into the complexities of American culture and the volatile intersection of sports, music, and social change.

Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died

4.2 out of 5