Disco swept it’s way across the USA in the 1970’s – an outbreak associated with questionable styles of dress, John Travolta’s hair and most importantly inspired by dance. However despite the popularity of the movement there also sparked outrage, particularly amongst rock and roll fans with fear that the disco-scene was taking over.

Subsequently, on July 12 1979 the worlds largest anti-disco rally took place during the twi-night double header between the Chicago White-Sox and Detroit Tigers. Led by anti-disco campaigner and shock jock Steve Dahl, the fiasco attracted a crowd of more than 50 000. Fans were able to attend the event for just 98 cents permitting they brought at least one disco record with them to contribute to the demolition. A vinyl-filled box was displayed in the middle of the field then rigged with explosives. Dahl proceeded to address the crowd “Now listen—we took all the disco records you brought tonight, we got ’em in a giant box, and we’re gonna blow ’em up reeeeeeal goooood”

The LP detonation scattered broken album shards all over the field and encouraged several thousand people to take the field, with some carrying banners with slogans like “DISCO SUCKS” and “LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL”.

39 people were arrested and there were no serious injuries – judging by the video below we are surprised by how low these numbers are. It comes across as “the Woodstock they never had” with the odour of pot and scattering of kegs in every aisle of the grandstand – who knows how many people were there to support the actual motivation of the rally or just to cause a ruckus. To this day it remains well known as one of the most extreme promotions in major league history.