Here at Revolution, we’re not ashamed to admit that We Heart Disco.

That’s why we’ve joined forces with our mates at Absolut to create a range of awesome limited edition disco cocktails. But where did the musical revolution start? Here’s a quick trip down a disco ball-lit memory lane.

Disco beginnings

It’s 1973 and we’re in New York City. The summer of love seems like a distant memory, Jim Morrison is dead, The Velvet Underground just broke up, and yet there’s something new happening to music. This tantalising culmination of genres will come to redefine the east coast of America, and eventually the western world.

In less than a decade, acts like Chic, The Bee Gees, KC & The Sunshine Band, Donna Summer, and Kool & The Gang will have completely revolutionised the music industry, collectively helping to cultivate what we now know as disco.

 

‘Four-on-the-floor’ has quickly become recognised as the back bone of this new genre, more often than not joined by warm, choppy guitar and polished brass. Elements of pop rock, funk and soul have been blended together and the result is even better than some of our cocktails.

Can’t explore the history of disco without clubbin’ in NYC

Venues like NYC’s Loft and Studio 54 were right on the front line of the disco movement, and as the rapid rise took hold they would become the places of sheer legend.

Speaking of the Studio, it would be unjust to not mention legendary US artist, Andy Warhol, and his fascination with the hottest new trend coming out of New York.

54 was one of his favourite venues, and unlike his sharp and threatening print work of the 60s, it was time to make something of this new and glamorous scene. You might recognise the subject matter of this iconic Warhol print…

 

Back to the music

Nile Rodgers is possibly one of the finest ambassadors of the genre, featuring on some of the world’s most iconic records including Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’, Chic’s ‘Le Freak’, David Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’, Dianna Ross’ ‘I’m Coming Out’ and more recently, Daft Punk’s 2013 hit single, ‘Get Lucky’. A fairly respectable CV by any musician’s standard.

Rodgers’ 1959 white Fender Stratocaster is known within the industry as The Hitmaker, and is thought to be responsible for somewhere in the region £1.3bn of music revenue. You can be sure that there’ll be plenty of The Hitmaker’s magic present next weekend.

Thankfully in the modern age, acts like Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams and even a posthumous Michael Jackson are keeping the disco dream alive, and we couldn’t be happier.

Continue your disco journey and book a party at Revolution. See you on the dancefloor.