While the global pandemic may have put a damper on our adventures in clubbing, music still has the power to transport us to places unknown. For now, the greatest club on earth may exist in our imagination – Discoteca Imaginaria. Each episode takes listeners to the scenes, clubs, regions and technology that have shaped our sonic history.

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On July 12 1979, shock jock Steve Dahl hosted the Disco Demolition Night. Thousands of mostly white, middle class suburbanites stormed Comiskey Park in Chicago to burn records by mostly black, queer, urban dwelling musicians. While the event failed to end disco, it did represent a shift in popular taste. Dance music retreated away from the spotlight and back into underground, where it began to evolve into an entirely new art form in mostly gay, black clubs like the Warehouse and Powerhouse. Dance music’s hold on today’s popular music makes such a visceral backlash difficult to imagine. But the cultural divide that fueled the birth of Chicago House rages on, making its origin story all the more important.

TRACKLIST
News coverage of the Disco Demolition Night (News Center 5, 1979)
Jesse Saunders – On & On
Jamie Principle – Waiting On My Angel
Opening night at Powerhouse Club (Phil Ranstrom, 1986)
Mr. Fingers – Mystery Of Love
Hercules – 7 Ways to Jack
Screamin Rachael – Fun With Bad Boys
News coverage of ‘House Music Mania’ (WGN Channel 9 News, 1986)
Steve “Silk” Hurley – Jack Your Body
Ron Hardy – Sensation (Short Version)
Kevin Irving – Children of the Night
Opening night at Powerhouse Club (Phil Ranstrom, 1986)
Frankie Knuckles – Your Love
Adonis – No Way Back
Virgo Four – In A Vision
Acid House Report (MTV, 1993)
News coverage of UK Acid House craze (BBC, 1988)
Phuture – Acid Tracks
Mr. Lee – Art Of Acid
Pierre’s Pfantasy Club – Fantasy Girl (Acid Mix)
Interview with Frankie Knuckles (Kino Nottingham, 1999)
Frankie Knuckles – Tears
Lil’ Louis – French Kiss
Cajmere – Percolator (original mix)
Interviews with Robert Owens, Larry Heard and Justin Berkmann (Ministry of Sound, 1992)
Mr. White, Larry Heard – The Sun Can’t Compare
Chez Damier, Stacy Pullen – Forever Monna
Rahaan at Bring the Heat’s first party (Joe Minns, 2004)
The Blessed Madonna – We Don’t Need No Music (Thank You Rahaan)