Thursday, May 24, 2012
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Thursday, May 24, 2012 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | New Photo Gallery |
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Fielder’s Choice I still have disco fever My children do not particularly like my choice of music. They thought I was crazy several years back when I bought all those disco CDs and kept them in my truck for road trips. Since then, they’ve developed an appreciation for all kinds of music, including disco. Last Thursday one of my all-time favorite singers, Donna Summer, passed away at the age of 63 after a battle with lung cancer. She was the “queen of disco.” Her music ruled the 1970s but as one article I read last week stated, she also “proved over the next three decades that she and her music were stars, not fads.” While in high school at Hamilton, Ala., perhaps our biggest weekend activities, particularly after home ball games, were dances at the recreation center. Disco dominated. And Donna Summer’s songs were some of the best. My children also kid me occasionally about my dance moves. I tell them they were much better when I was 17. I still listen to disco music a lot when I’m traveling. That’s one of the reasons I love XM Radio. I can listen to disco constantly. It’s wonderful. Some of my Donna Summer favorites are “Last Dance,” “On the Radio,” and “She Works Hard for the Money.” The list, of course, goes on and on. I had my IPad in my hands when I learned of her death Thursday night. I immediately clicked on Pandora and started listening to some of those favorites. Pam, even though she’s more of an ’80s person, sang with me on some and we even danced to a few. Our children moved to the other room. I read a quote from Elton John – “This woman (Donna Summer) was the queen of disco and so much more. That she has never been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a total disgrace.” Then over the weekend, my memories of my “disco days” were rekindled even more with the death of Robin Gibb. He passed away at age 62 after a battle with cancer. Back in the days of cassette players, the Bee Gees helped fill my case. I fondly recall “crusing” around town with friends, with the windows down, listening to the “Saturday Night Fever’ soundtrack. It included Bee Gees hits like “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever.” Robin, Barry and Maurice Gibb had two periods of pop-music success, but the period they’re most known for today was their extreme popularity during the disco era. Another favorite and one of their number one singles was “Jive Talkin.” I keep getting these notifications via Facebook about the annual Hamilton (Ala.) High School reunion for those who graduated in the 1970s. I think maybe this is the third annual get-together. I haven’t been to one yet and probably won’t make the one this summer. Now if my classmates from 1979 pulled together another reunion, which maybe they will do at 35 years, I would likely be there. But it better include a DJ and disco. It’s hard to believe it’s been 33 years since I received that high school diploma. But regularly listening to disco music, singing along as I drive and occassionally trying those old dance moves – maybe all that will help keep me young. |
     
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