While I opposed the Dove Church’s proposed burning of the Koran ( old school spelling ), I fully condoned the destruction of disco records on July 12, 1979, at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. The Death of Disco was a promotional event conceived by Chicago DJ Steve Dahl after his firing from a rock station when the producers changed the format to all-disco. Anyone showing up to the doubleheader with a disco record was allowed into the park for 98 cents. The records would be blown up on the field during the break between games.

Over 90,000 fans showed up for the game. Twice the capacity of the Comisky. The atmosphere in the stands was rebellious. Records were flunk like Frisbees into the air. Marijuana was openly smoked in every section. Detroit won the first game and Steve Dahl led the crowd in a chant ‘Disco Sucks’, then counted down from ten.

Boom.

A explosion divoted a hole in centerfield. The fans mobbed the field. A bonfire of records symbolized the chaos of the times. The police cleared the field with difficulty and the second game was called because of unplayable conditions.

Bill Veeck’s son was supposedly masterminded the event. The league blackballed Mike Veeck after the death of his father.

“The second that first guy shimmied down the outfield wall, I knew my life was over!”

The Chisox finished 5th in the AL West. The Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series guided by Sister Sledge’s WE ARE FAMILY.

The music during the 7th Inning Stretch at Yankee Stadium is the Village People’s YMCA. The ground crew acts out the letters, as they groom the base paths with flails. The fans sing the chorus, few knowing that the hit song glorifies the homo-erotic orgies at the YMCA. It was #1 in 1979. The same year as the Death of Disco riot.

“Don’t ask, don’t tell.”

That’s what the boys say at Yankee Stadium during the 7th Inning Stretch.

What happens in the bathrooms there, stays in the bathroom.

To see footage of the riot go to this URL