The Insane Story of 1979's 'Disco Demolition Night' in 20 Photos
Carly Tennes
Published
10/24/2024
in
wow
Though Disco may have been popularized in the '70s, not everyone was willing to wear uncomfortably tight pants. Disco disdain (in)famously reached a fever pitch in July 1979, when local shock-jock radio host Steve Dahl hosted a "Disco Demolition Night" at the Chicago White Sox's Comiskey Park.
Encouraging disco detractors to bring their records and burn them amid the doubleheader between the Windy City team and the Detroit Tigers, the demonstration quickly devolved into a blazing riot. When all was said and done, 30 people were injured and 39 arrested, with hundreds of disco records destroyed.
From bonfires to showdowns with the authorities, here is the insane story of 1979's Disco Demolition Night as told in photos.
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1.
The reluctant ringleader of Disco Demo night in 2008 Photo credit: https://bit.ly/3NDMlwK: -
2.
Fan escorted out -
3.
This is the tamest sign we could find -
4.
Young fans can't wait to watch disco burn -
5.
Steve Dahl, calming everyone down -
6.
It's on -
7.
Cops acknowledging that maybe it's a little too on -
8.
More Dahl soothing the crowd -
9.
"Please return to your seats" -
10.
A simpler time w Hary Caray before the game -
11.
Oh boy is it on now -
12.
Disco hate has made this man crazy -
13.
So much smoke -
14.
Dahl with coworker -
15.
Getting ready to rumble -
16.
Cough, cough -
17.
Owner Bill Veeck doesn't want to hear it -
18.
It's fully on - in full color -
19.
Looks to be on - Image credit: https://bit.ly/3UJhxin -
20.
A reserved fan
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