BRIDGEPORT — Legendary Chicago DJ Steve Dahl will soon visit the neighborhood to promote a book about the infamous Disco Demolition at Old Comiskey Park.
Published by Curbside Splendor, the book, Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died, features more than 30 interviews by author Dave Hoekstra with record store owners and sports and music icons like Nile Rodgers and Rick Nielsen. The book includes an introduction by Dahl and archival photographs by Paul Natkin.
Dahl and Hoekstra will have a book signing from 7-10 p.m. July 8 at the Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S. Morgan St.
On July 12, 1979, Bill Veeck and Dahl hosted “Disco Demolition,” a move to boost attendance at the ballgame. Admission cost 98 cents.
More than 50,000 people showed up to see the destruction of disco records on the field between the games of a Sox double-header against the Detroit Tigers.
The destruction was to be a declaration about how rock fans despised disco.
That declaration was a disaster.
During the demolition, fans stormed the field, forcing police to clear the ballpark. For the first time in Major League Baseball history, the second game of a double-header had to be canceled.
The book event will feature an exhibit full of Natkin’s photographs from that night.
DJs Joe Bryl and Logan Bay will play disco all night.
There will be an after-party at Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar, 960 W. 31st St.
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