Disco Lady - Johnnie Taylor (1976) 2/7/23

In 1975, Memphis-based Stax Records went bankrupt, but one of their artists, Johnnie Taylor, was fortunate enough to be picked up by the Columbia label almost immediately.

And then, the good fortune continued...

As Johnnie was putting together "Eargasm," his Columbia debut album, he was able to collaborate with members of the Parliament/Funkadelic team of "funk masters" on what turned out to be the album's first single: "Disco Lady."

Interestingly, the song is not really a disco song per se, but that didn't matter.

"Disco Lady" spent 4 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and 6 weeks atop the Rhythm & Blues Chart, becoming the first #1 record on either chart with the word "Disco" in the title. (It also ranked as Billboard's #3 song of the year for 1976!)

In addition, it was the very first single to earn the (Recording Industry Association

of America's (RIAA) new (in '76) "platinum" designation, selling more than 2.5 million copies. PLUS it earned Johnnie a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance!

Who knew bankruptcy could be so rewarding?

"Disco Lady" by Johnnie Taylor: a "Great Song of 1976!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2s0nVk0B9o