Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
This is some snippets stitched together from a piece I wrote some years ago:
The prototype for the American-style disco was a place called the Sanctuary. It was opened before the disco era, as such, got underway -- 1969.
From the viewpoint of a 70's/80's disco & Hi- NRG aficionado, the place was better than the music. However, this was before the 12-inch single and instrumental B side tracks, and well before disco music as such. Except there was Francis Grasso, a genius who could put together a bunch of those ***** little 45 rpm's or LP cuts just like he knew he was inventing the scene and sound – the magic – of what would become the Paradise Garage years later. He is usually credited as being the first club DJ to perfect slip-cueing a record and releasing it on beat while creating a continuous set of music, segueing one song into another to create a flowing stream of gathering energy. The man was working with the audio equivalent of Stone Age tools, and he was surely something on the order of a shaman.
The Sanctuary packed in the crowds. The menu was R&B, funk, soul...and whatever. Grasso had us flyin' on a mix of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Booker T. & the MG's, laced with rock 'n' roll and ethno tracks - Chicago Transit Authority, Santana, the relentless Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Olitunji and the Drums of Passion....a smokin' version of Bob Dylan's I'll Be Your Baby Tonight by a gospel choir called The Brothers & Sisters, and a favorite of mine a goosed-up version of Little Sister's hypnotic "You're the One."
The Sanctuary did not last all that long – until early1972, I think. There was dope being sold (and used) on the premises - smack, and that contributed to whatever other illegalities were kept under wraps. Transvestites hung around the bar area dressed in evening gowns and were constantly flying between there and the head to touch up their makeup and their drugs. One night I walked in the men's room and a couple of really spaced out drags were at the sinks, and one of then had a syringe dumped out of her evening bag onto the counter along with her other stuff.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
