History and evolution of disco explored in new BBC documentary series

A new docu-series on the history of disco is out now.

The three-part BBC release titled Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution includes interviews with disco legends such as Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Nicky Siano, Honey Dijon, David Morales, François K and Candi Staton.

As the synopsis reads, the series explores the “sweaty basement bars of 70s New York to the glittering peak of the global charts,” before discussing its world dominance, legacy and even its downfalls.

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Episode 1 dives into the end of the 1970s and disco’s roots of “queerness, diversity and feminism” and the increase of a predominantly white and straight audience outwardly disliking the genre.

This first episode goes on to showcase Studio 54 and the beginning of its falling into the mainstream.

After that, the series celebrates the hits that disco is most prominently recognised for such as Donna Summer’s ‘Love to Love You Baby’ to Sylvester’s ‘You Make Me Feel Mighty Real’

Finally, the last episode talks about topics such as the aftermath of the Stonewall Riots and the quest to find safe spaces free from discrimination and violence in New York.

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The series is airing on BBC Two with the first episode out last week with the remaining two to be released on December 23 and 30. The full series is also available on BBC iPlayer now.

Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution was co-produced by BBC Studios Specialist Factual Productions and PBS.

Watch the docu-series trailer below.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag’s Multimedia Editor, follow her on Twitter