The History of the Discotheque as a Physical Space, Essay Example

Explain the history of the discotheque as a physical space from the advent of recorded sound to the installation of the RLA soundsystem at the Paradise Garage.

Richard Long would eventually create the first discotheque, but leading up to that moment he built something more along the lines of a prototype along with his friend, and fellow techno enthusiast Levan. The author notes, “in 1973 Levan became the club’s main DJ, with Frankie playing warm-up and on the quieter nights. Levan left in 1974 to start his own club along with his partner, sound engineer Richard Long. This acted as the prototype for the legendary Paradise Garage. Though it was the Garage that made him a star, Levan never forgot that his roots lay in disco’s first heady years” (Brewster & Broughton, 157). This concept later became enhanced by the idea of using exclusivity to make people want to attend. They referred to this as members only. In New York, it was DJ David Mancuso who first created a loft that was dedicated to members-only access. This particular loft only catered to members who were registered as part of the club. Mancuso used his personal home as the private meeting place for the members where they would dance all night. Relatively, in such occasions, no drinks or foods are served. Instead, there would be dancing and perfecting the moves that better defines the said encounters between members of the club. Another famous club that emerged during the time under the inspiration of Mancuso was the Paradise Garage. It was the first discotheque club that introduced the DJ as the central celebrity of disco dancing meets. It was during the time that RLA or the Richard Long and Associates introduced the most developed form of sound system that enhanced not only the music but the beat that it has which basically motivates the people to dance. Modern dance clubs at present are likely patterned to the Paradise Garage’s setup and interiors.

Explain the rise and fall of disco beginning with Stonewall in 1969 and ending in 1979 with Disco Demolition Night

In 1969, in front of the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, the Stonewall Rebellion began. The author explains this as “the night when gay New York took to the streets and threw itself a revolution” (Brewster & Broughton, 124). He says on this night the gay community decided to fight back. He argues that it was the landmark event when gays decided to fight for their rights and says it was motivated by the civil rights movement and the women’s liberation. It sparked when the police raided the Stonewall Inn. The author notes that, “No one knows exactly why the Stonewall Inn was raided that evening, but there’s no doubt that the police would come to regret it” (Brewster & Broughton, 125). The rise and fall of disco started with this revolution. As people were impassioned and the author notes, “Disco was the revolution. Disco was freedom, togetherness, love. Disco was dirty, spiritual, thrilling, powerful. Disco was secret, underground, dangerous” (Brewster & Broughton, 125). The same way Disco gained its support and popularity, it dies out. The authors note that disco’s over exposure combined with its unforgettable association with the gay community is what makes the music unbearable for mainstream America after 1979. They say, “By 1979 there was simply too much disco and people started to hate it. Many who had banked on it were left high and dry and the backlash was swift and enduring. Suddenly everyone remembered that it was faggot music, that it “sucked” (Brewster & Broughton, 167). The authors go on to point out that this is in part the same reason why house and techno music has not been able to gain mainstream popularity in the U.S. because it’s still connected to that same gay distinction and disco connection.