Never Can Say Goodbye

A disco inferno raged through the chaparral last month on ‘K-BIG 104’s Disco Fever’ night at the Hollywood Bowl. John Travolta himself kicked off the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ 25th anniversary celebration in a recorded message played on a stage-wide big screen. Performing under a giant disco ball, Village People, Chic, and Kool & the Gang electrified the summer night with classics such as ‘YMCA’ and ‘Le Freak.’ About 16,000 guests, many dressed in their finest polyester and platforms, hustled to the hits and watched clips from the ‘70s dance flick between musical sets. We asked some of the partygoers why the kaleidoscopic decade is stayin’ alive in their hearts.

*

Alan Pekrul

37, Artist, West Hills

Jennifer Krumm-Pekrul

36, Teacher, West Hills

What do you miss most about the disco era?

Jennifer: I miss the clothes. They’re not as much fun nowadays.

All-time favorite disco anthem?

Jennifer: ‘Le Freak’ by Chic. That’s one of the reasons I’m here tonight.

Alan: Something by Stevie Wonder, but I can’t name any particular one.

What defined the disco era?

Alan: The clothes. They were so outrageous. There’s nothing like it.

Your grooviest disc outfit?

Jennifer: We’re wearing them, baby! We went to Aardvarks to buy the outfits.

Your fave disco fashion accessory?

Alan: It’s gotta be the big rhinestone sunglasses. They’re pretty crazy.

Why did disco die?

Alan: I blame the clothes. People just couldn’t look at them anymore.

What can disco offer the 21st century?

Alan: The music had a downbeat that can still be heard in today’s dance music. a groove.

Jennifer: Being able to let loose and have fun. I think we’ve lost a lot of that along the way.

*

Omar Jackson

29, Advertising Executive, Pasadena

What do you miss most about the disco era?

I miss the laid-back attitude and the lingo. No one ever says stuff like ‘groovy’ or ‘dy-no-mite!’ anymore.

All-time favorite disco anthem?

‘September’ by Earth, Wind & Fire. It’s a little slower, more romantic than some of the other songs.

Your grooviest disco outfit?

My all-polyester blue suit with bell-bottoms and a big afro.

Your fave disco fashion accessory?

The hat and the shades. They make a statement.

Why did disco die?

I don’t think it died. Maybe it took a little rest-too much partying, you know-and now it’s coming back.

What can disco offer the 21st century?

Not to be too serious. You can work hard, but you still have to go out at night and have a good time.

*

Lisette St. Claire

44, Casting Director, Valley Village

Mark Starr

45, Makeup Artist, Altadena

What do you miss most about the disco era?

Lisette: It’s still with us. I even have a big disco ball hanging in my living room.

All-time favorite disco anthem? Mark: ‘Disco Lucy’ by Wilton Place Street Band. It’s the Lucille Ball theme done in disco.

Your grooviest disco outfit?

Mark: We did these matching pink lame outfits for ‘American Bandstand.’

Your fave disco fashion accessory?

Lisette: My ‘Disco Queen’ tattoo. It stays with me all the time.

Mark: Platform shoes. The finishing touch to any great outfit.

What was up with the ‘Disco Sucks’ movement?

Lisette: We’re not even gonna go there. Those punk rockers.

Mark: It was just the younger generation wanting their turn.

What can disco offer the 21st century?

Mark: Glitter and glamour. Everyone needs a little to spice things up.

Lisette: People were sophisticated then. The baggy pants and stuff they wear now, forget about it.

*

Damon Montgomery

27, Camera Assistant, Canoga Park

What do you miss most about the disco era?

The bell-bottoms. They ding when they ring!

What defined the disco era?

Free love, honey. All walks of life came together to listen to the music and just dance. Your grooviest disco outfit?

It don’t get no groovier than this. These would be my father’s brown polyester pants right here.

Ultimate disco diva?

Whoever had the biggest afro.

What can disco offer the 21st century?

A good, positive vibe. It’s time to dig up the clothes and bring it on back, honey.