Turn the beat around: Richard Dyer's 'In defence of disco' revisited

Authors
Publication date 2005
Journal European Journal of Cultural Studies
Volume | Issue number 8 | 2
Pages (from-to) 257-266
Organisations
  • Faculty of Humanities (FGw) - Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR) - Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA)
Abstract Published in 1979, Richard Dyer’s ‘In Defence of Disco’ is one of the best-read but relatively little-used essays in pop music studies, queer studies and cultural studies. With his essay, not only does Dyer demystify the ‘authenticity’ of music genres such as folk and rock, but also validates and celebrates the in authenticity of disco by recognizing its political potential. This review article revisits Dyer’s ‘In Defence of Disco’ and subsequently discusses those few academic works that do build upon and expand his original arguments, proving the significance of this radical essay.

Document type Article
Published at https://doi.org/10.1177/1367549405051848
Permalink to this page
Back