Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

This is an impressive poem. Sounds like a place I wouldn't want to be, but you've described misbehaving fans very well. Not surprising that Chicagoans still remember the event. Great rhyming throughout. I like your repeating refrain and the amazing image. Marilyn

 Comment Written 21-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 21-Mar-2017

Thanks for your read and the review.

Comment from Thal1959

Excellent

A truly entertaining work. I live in the suburbs of Chicago and I remember the news reports about this event. Some people may chastise you for using "near-rhymes" but don't let them upset you... some of your rhyming pairs are very creative and clever.

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017

Thanks for the kind words and the read.

reply by Thal1959 on 20-Mar-2017

You're welcome... it was my pleasure.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Fortunately, it seems, I'm not acquainted with Steve Dahl. I didn't quite grow up in the disco era, more the rock n roll era, Elvis, Chuck Berry, The big Bopper etc. so I was an interested disco observer. Well done with this work, written in aabb rhyming quatrains, with a strong, articulate presentation, with a repeating couplet to strengthen the refrain, well done, good luck in the contest, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017

Thanks for the read and the review.

Comment from prettybluebirds

Excellent

Excellent. I remember disco, but it never appealed to me in any way. Your poem is descriptive and well written. You take the reader into the story and lead them through. Superb work.

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 20-Mar-2017

Thanks for the read and the review. The tight pants and permed hair did appeal to me either.

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

I enjoyed reading your poem about disco. You did a great job describing the scene. I felt like I was there although I have never read of this before. Good job with the rhyme & storyline.

There were some great songs to come from the disco era.

Good job & best wishes in the contest. Jan

 Comment Written 18-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 18-Mar-2017

Thank you for the read and your kind comments.

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

It was a sad day. Disco music was so popular the year I graduated from high school. It still brings fond memories when I hear an oldie but goodie on the radio. Thank you for your well penned poem,
~patty~

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 17-Mar-2017

Thanks for your read. I still remember the disco ball hanging from the ceiling.

Comment from chcbeck

Excellent

An event based on a true story which I am not aware of however felt the atmosphere as I read your poem. The repetition drives home the point. Thank you for sharing good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 17-Mar-2017

Thanks for the read and the review.

Comment from Sis Cat

Excellent

Yes, I remember hearing about that night Chicago still remembers.

Your poem echoes Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 as well as Savonarola's Bonfire of the Vanities he held to cleanse Florence, Italy of decadence. A line that stood out in your poem was this:

"Black vinyl discs flying like Frisbees
Comiskey, this night, no place for sissies,"

because the hatred spewed towards disco was fueled by many people believing that the music had become too gay and too black. Although the Village People sang "Ready for the Eighties," disco music did not survive into the eighties as punk, rock, New Wave, and rap rose to dominate the airwaves.

Your refrain

"Many stoned and losing it
Spewing hate for disco music"

is chilling because the hatred was coded as a hatred towards blacks and gays in an effort to make rock 'n' roll great again.

Your entry in the disco inferno contest is a natural submission that is sheds a darker light on the passing era. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 17-Mar-2017

Thanks so much for your insightful review. Dahl was fueled by the fact that he was fired from a radio station that replace his rock and roll format with disco.

reply by Sis Cat on 17-Mar-2017

Well, it wasn't wise to replace his rock format with disco which faded in the early eighties.

Comment from kahpot

Excellent

I love the rhyme and story line (though being an Aussie) I can only assume baseball and disco go hand in hand, and what a brilliant illustration to compliment the writing
it (picture and words) sets a scene that even an Aussie can appreciate ****kahpot

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 17-Mar-2017

Thanks for the read. Actually, baseball and disco did not go hand and hand. The two were meshed by the Chicago White Sox. Dahl was conducting a campaign to abolish disco because he was fired from a radio station that changed its format from rock and roll to disco. The event began as a promotional scheme by the White Sox to get more people in the stands. The crowd, unruly to begin with, went wild when blew up the stack of records in the center field bullpen the crowd poured on to the field and all hell broke loose. The Sox were forced to forfeit the second game of the scheduled doubleheader.

Comment from Mark Valentine

Excellent

This one brings back memories. I was not in the stands that night, but some friends of mine were. Not a lot has changed Comiskey, (now "Guaranteed Rate Field") still houses a bunch of drunk south-siders on any given night, and Steve Dahl is still on the radio (though not nearly as popular as he was in his heyday).

Your poem selected a great slice of the disco era to focus on, and your refrain "many stoned/drunk and losing it..." gives it a song-like feel that fits the spirit of the poem.

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Mar-2017

Thanks for your read and review. Like you I only heard about it from friends.