Few cultural phenomena have burned as brightly as disco. From the pulsating beats of Donna Summer to the glittering dance floors of Studio 54, the era defined a generation. And now, thanks to writer, pop culture historian, and entertainment icon Frank DeCaro, disco is having another well-deserved moment in the spotlight. His latest book, Disco: Music, Movies & Mania Under the Mirror Ball, takes readers on a deep dive into the genre’s impact, legendary figures, and its lasting cultural significance. Ahead of his upcoming book signing at Gipsy Las Vegas on Friday, February 21st, I had the pleasure of chatting with DeCaro about disco’s revival, its role in LGBTQ+ history, and the surprising stories he uncovered while writing the book.

Giving Disco Its Flowers

“I wanted to write something that gave disco the respect it never truly got,” DeCaro explains. “When I was writing my last book on the history of drag in show business, people told me it was finally being taken seriously. So, I thought, what else deserves that treatment? And disco was an obvious choice.”

Despite being dismissed by some in the late ’70s, disco’s influence has endured. “There’s been a lot of reclamation happening,” he notes. “People are saying, ‘Don’t underestimate how good and long-lasting disco is.’ We might hear it in supermarkets now instead of nightclubs, but those songs are classics for a reason.”

The pandemic also played a role in bringing disco back into the mainstream. “During COVID, people needed uplifting music,” he recalls. “You’d put on I Will Survive and suddenly feel a little more hopeful.”

And the genre’s DNA is everywhere today, from Dua Lipa’s Levitating to Miley Cyrus’ Flowers. Even Las Vegas is getting in on the action, with Disco Show recently opening on the Strip.

The Bizarre and the Beautiful: Strange Disco Stories

In researching the book, DeCaro unearthed some truly unexpected disco relics. “There’s a Bill Cosby disco album called Disco Bill,” he says, shaking his head. “It’s bizarre. And Frank Sinatra recorded disco tracks too! Wayne Newton even had a disco Christmas song called Disco Hustle.”

One of his favorite discoveries was Monti Rock III, a Las Vegas icon best known as the DJ in Saturday Night Fever. “He had early disco hits even though he wasn’t really a singer—he just talked his way through songs. And yet, he made it work.”

And then there’s Cher’s Hell on Wheels music video. “It’s about the gayest thing ever filmed,” he laughs. “Leopard print workout gear, matching roller skates, drag queens, porn stars, horses, construction equipment—just completely deranged.”

First Encounters with Disco

For DeCaro, disco was love at first listen. “I was about 13 when Rock the Boat by Hues Corporation came on the radio,” he recalls. “We were in a ceramics studio, painting these ridiculous figures, and that song just lit up the room.”

His first disco concert? The Bee Gees at Madison Square Garden. “It was insane,” he says. “It was 1979, and they were riding the wave of Saturday Night Fever. That crowd’s energy was unforgettable.”

In a moment of cosmic alignment, his first event promoting this book happened 45 years later—to the day and hour—just six blocks from that very concert. “It gave me chills,” he admits. “It felt like the universe was telling me I was on the right track.”

The LGBTQ+ Legacy of Disco

Disco and LGBTQ+ culture are deeply intertwined. “It played a massive role in LGBTQ+ nightlife,” DeCaro explains. “For queer people, disco was freedom. It was about expression, joy, and inclusivity.”

He’s quick to point out how the genre faced backlash, especially with the infamous “Disco Sucks” movement. “People like to say it was just about the music,” he says, “but a lot of it was about who was making and enjoying disco—Black artists, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. Straight white guys felt left out, and they lashed out.”

The most notorious example? Disco Demolition Night in 1979. “It looked like a MAGA rally,” he says. “People were blowing up records—many of them by Black artists. It wasn’t just about music; it was about exclusion.”

The Ultimate Disco Playlist

If DeCaro were making a definitive disco playlist, these five tracks would be must-haves:

1. I Feel Love – Donna Summer

2. You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) – Sylvester

3. Supernature – Cerrone

4. Cherchez La Femme – Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business – Ethel Merman (Yes, really. It’s so bad it’s amazing.)

A Night of Disco in Las Vegas

For those wanting to step back into the world of disco, DeCaro’s upcoming event at Gipsy Las Vegas is the perfect opportunity. “I’m so excited,” Garrett says. “I even hung the disco ball myself—almost fell off a ladder doing it!”

Joining him will be TV producer Michael Levitt, who met his husband at Gipsy years ago. Las Vegas royalty Larry “Hot Chocolate” Edwards will also be in attendance, making it a night to remember.

“Gipsy actually started as Disco Fever from 1970 to 1978,” I tell him. His eyes light up. “Well, I’m definitely going to have disco fever that night,” he grins.

Frank DeCaro’s Disco: Music, Movies & Mania Under the Mirror Ball is more than just a history lesson—it’s a celebration of a genre that never really went away. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the scene, this book proves that disco is alive, well, and ready to get you on your feet once again.

Find out more at frankdecaro.com and @frankdecaroshow.