The Funk Foundation - Podcast

16/08/2024

I'm not crying, you are.

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Hey Jude at the end 😍

Tom Jones & Wilson Pickett performing a Medley of Barefootin' / Midnight Hour & Hey Jude on TV Show This is Tom Jones in 1970.

03/03/2024

All four episodes are now out for anyone who likes to binge their content. I know people are at different points in the show but id just like to say thank you to everyone who’s taken the time out to listen. Regardless of where you're up to its means a lot that you've taken time out.

It’s been a ten year obsession of mine with five erratic months of writing & planning. Truth be told it just felt a relief to get it out. People who've tuned back in & new listeners, i appreciate it & the messages have been class.

Hope you everyone's enjoyed it, if you did, tell a friend.

Love ya, you gorgeous pricks.
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- Jason.

02/03/2024

Some of the blurbs got cut from the streaming channels so here is the full list of everything I used & stuff that I can remember ingesting over the past ten years that helped me put the show together.

I know a few of you have been in touch & id love to know what rabbit holes you've ended up down musically & research wise. Please share anything you've found in the comments, id love to know what you've unearthed & what you think I should look at. "Gay Bar" was my big research after I finished the show, id highly recommend reading it.

01/03/2024

LGBTQ+ icons from episode 1

1) Little Richard
2) Big Mama Thornton
3) Dusty Springfield
4) Jackie Shane

29/02/2024

Photos from inside the Paradise Garage.

1) Dancers take a break.
2) Dancefloor
3) Studio 54 & Garage sound technician Richard Long on stage with Larry Levan
4) The ramp. Situated in an old parking garage, this was the entrance.
5) Keith Haring with his artwork on the wall behind & a friend wearing his t-shirt.
6) Dancefloor
7) Dancefloor
8) Larry in the booth

28/02/2024

The Infamous “Disco Sucks” riot, Comiskey Park Chicago 1979.

Disgruntled that his station was dropping Rock music from their playlists in favour of Disco records, radio DJ Steve Dahl started blowing peoples Disco requests up live on air. The idea soon snowballed when Dahl secured a half time slot at Comisky park for the White Socks game against the Detroit tigers (thanks to a friend who’s dad owned the team).

Offering discounted entry for people who brought a Disco record for the half time bonfire, the expected 16 thousand crowd swelled to an unprecedented 59,000. Whipping the crowd up into a friendzy to chants of “Disco Sucks”, the detonation of a dumpster full of donated records began. The energy in the heaving crowd reached tipping point & stewards were un-able to cope as the crowd ran onto the field.

A genre with Black & Latino roots, dominated by women with a large gay following the backlash against Disco wasn’t solely down to its chart dominance. Given the largely white working class demographic of the crowd that night & the fact that many of the records donated were from black artists (regardless of wether they were Disco or not), the movement had racist & homophobic undertones & became emblematic of the mood in the country at the time.

Discos cultural dominance perished & the money soon fell out of the industry, bas players, drummers, backing singers, strings, drummers & a studio big enough to hold them all soon became too costly & the lush productions began to fade. However, championed by a core crowd true to its roots the genre began to meld with Techno & Electronica. Emerging, five years later in the very city which signalled the genres demise - by the turn of the 80’s - House music was spreading across Europe like wild fire.

1) Steve Dahl stood next to a dumpster of "Disco" records in military gear, to "wage war on Disco"
2) Crowds inside the ground (98c admission).
3) Dahl with fans
4) Dahl addresses the crowd
5) Bonfire Starts
6) Fans charge the field
7) Riot breaks out
8) Rioters on field (match abandoned)
9) Police intervene
10) Write up in the paper following day.

27/02/2024

Larry Levan - 1954 - 1992

26/02/2024

Episode 4 - The Legend Of Larry Levan. The final instalment in this docuseries & the reason I put all this together. From the Stonewall up to the criminal justice bill which killed rave, Larrys life not only spanned but reflected this pivotal period in Disco & House music history, leaving a lasting impact on Dance music culture to this day. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed everything so far & the wait hasn’t been too taxing.

If you’ve not heard the other episodes, please check it out from the start. Link in bio.

The Evolution Of Disco (4/4)

The penultimate instalment of this docuseries. Emerging from the rubble of the Disco scene, we trace the roots of one of the most influential clubs in Dance music culture, why it was soo successful & the life of its iconic resident, Larry Levan. Scored by the track list of this seminal Discotheque, we look at the songs that channeled the spirit of those early Loft parties following the Stonewall Rebellion & how Larrys Story serves as an inspiration to all who followed in his footsteps.

25/02/2024

Monday we posted a great interview with street photographer Martha Cooper on Monday about the cultural significance of Graffiti in the run down areas of New York in the 1980’s. Here’s some of her amazing work capturing the era.

24/02/2024

Someone who I didn't really profile in the documentary but a key player in the Newyork Disco scene.

23/02/2024

Flyers & artwork from the Garage. Final episode drops on Monday.

22/02/2024

“Door picking” at Studio 54. Late 70’s New York, people dressed to the nines to try and get in to the best club in the world.

1. “Queue” outside
2. Inside the masquerade.
3. Studio 54 regular “Disco Sally”
4. Dancefloor from the DJ booth (decending & ascending lighting rig)
5. Dancefloor from the balcony
6. On the floor
7. Trapeze artists above the crowd
8. Staff dressed as cherubs
9. Door picker Marc Benecke surveys the crowd for who to let in.
10. Ian Schrager (velvet rope in hand) & Steve Rubell

21/02/2024

The Gallery - New York - SoHo - 1972-77

One of the key venues in Dance music history. Continuing in the spirit of the Loft parties held by David Mancusso. Opened by legendary DJ Nicky Sianno & his brother Joe in 1972, the first location was on 132 West Street before moving to 172 Mercer & Houston Streets in 74.

Among the attendees of the club, Steve Rubell (future Studio 54 owner), Frankie Knuckles & Nicky Siannos boyfriend/protege Larry Levan. The original Gallery had a low ceiling but when the venue moved, the space was three stories high & (hung from the roof) the lighting rig was suspended in mid air above the floor. The sound system was rigged up by Alex Rosner who, to this day, Sianno still holds in higher regard than Studio 54 & Paradise Garage sound technician Richard Long.

Sianno took the inclusivity & care that the Loft was famous for & gave it to the public. The Gallery is to this day highly regarded in Dance music culture as one of the seminal clubs of the movement. it wasn’t a pick up venue - people came specifically to dance. At fever pitch the crowd were known to drown out the system with chants of “TURN THIS MOTHER OUT!”, screaming & blowing whistles. Those stood on the floor below could see the floorboards moving under the strain of the dance floor energy. Sianno would drop the lights & kick back in the bass of the mammoth Alex Ronsner sound system & people would lose control.

At the start of 78 the venues lease was up. Siannos brother Joe, concerned for his brothers drug use gave Nicky an ultimatum “You’re killing yourself, and I cant watch this. Are you going to clean up, or are we going to close the club?” Nicky who was - in his words - “An arrogant little drug addict at the time.” Simply said “Close it! I dont give a sh*t.”

Nicky took on a few more residencies, left for Europe & by the time he returned had lost his following in NY. A House & Disco legend he’s still doing bits at 68 & pulling bigger crowds than ever before.

19/02/2024

Episode 3 - Disco Decadence is out now! All the dirty filthy songs you sing at weddings & family parties you sauce pots. Link in the bio…..

The Evolution Of Disco (3/4)

Disco begins to blow up! Anthems, iconic artists, world famous nightclubs & celebrity culture. This episode we look at how Disco reached its dizzying heights. We slip under the velvet rope to have a good old rummage through the scandals & stories that made the genre front page news. The question is though, what made it all come tumbling down in a cloud of smoke, co***ne & glitter?

18/02/2024

What are mortal men supposed to do in the presence of such pure unadulterated sexual dynamism? 🤣

The holy trinity of “Bedroom Soul”, Luther, Teddy & Barry.

16/02/2024

Some celebrity shots from studio 54 back in the day…….

1 - John Travolta & Sylvester Stallone
2 - Elton John, Lana & Rod Stewart
3 - Caitlyn Jenner, Micheal Jackson, Jane Fonda, Vallerie Perrine & The Village People
4 - Dianna Ross in the DJ booth with Nile Rodgers
5 - Dolly Parton’s birthday (they literally turned the club into a farm yard)_
6 - Grace Jones & Divine
7 - Cher, having a boogie
8 - Robin Williams & Andy Warhol
9 - Halston, Mick & Bianca Jagger
10 - Jerry Hall, Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, Truman Capote & Paloma Picasso

15/02/2024

Key DJs of New-Yorks Disco scene in th70’s

1) Francis Grasso - Sanctuary
2) David Mancusso - The Loft
3) Nicky Sianno - The Gallery
4) Richie Kaczor - Studio 54
5) Walter Gibbons - Galaxy 21
6) Frankie Knuckles & Larry Levan - The Continental Baths

14/02/2024

Walk On The Wild Side 1972 (Transformer) - Written by Lou Reed (formerly of the Velvet Underground) & produced by David Bowie. The track documents the lives of people Reed met in Andy Warhols art studio, “The Factory”. The infectious portamento baseline was written by British jazz bassist Herbie Flowers. Wild Side was later sampled by A Tribe Called Quest for “Can I Kick It” & despite creating one of the most iconic baselines in music history, Flowers only got paid as a session musician, so he only made a couple of bob off it.

We still love you Herbie. X

1) Andy & Lou
2) Andy Warhol & The Velvet Underground
3) “The Factory” Andy Warhols Art Studio
4) Holly Woodlan - “Holly came from Miami, FLA. Hitch hiked her way across the USA. Plucked Her eyebrows on the way. Shaved her legs & then he was a she, she said….”
5) Candy Darling - “Candy came from out on the Island. In the backroom she was everybodys darling, but she never lost her head, even when she was giving head, she said…..”
6) Joe D'Alesandro - “Little Joe never once gave it away. Everybody had to pay & pay. A hustle here & a hustle there. New-Yorks the place where they said......”
7) Jackie Curtis - “Jackie is just speeding away. Thought she was James Dean for a day. Then i guess she had to crash, va**um would have helped that bash, she said……
8) Andy Warhol in his studio with his "Banana" prints from the Velvet Underground album cover.
9) A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It 1990
10) Herbie Flowers

12/02/2024

Episode 2 - Rise Of The DJ dropped today. If you’ve no idea, this is podcast page -SURPRISE!…… Link in the bio will take you where you need to go.

The Evolution Of Disco (2/4)

Scorned by the Mafias mistreatment of the gay bars, spurred on by the Stonewall uprising & its legacy, members & allies of the LGBTQ+ community begin to open up their own venues. In the decade that followed 1969 a new scene, a new sound would emerge, that would provide sanctuary, escape & space for celebration in spite of the world outside. This episode we step foot in to some of those seminal venues, take a look at their music & pay homage to their figureheads. Expect raw Soul, Proto-Disco & even a Funky bit of Rock & Roll.

Let us know what you reckon, messages so far have been lovely.

11/02/2024

Newyork aesthetic in the early 70s

1) Fear City - leaflet handed out to tourists at the airport on how to avoid muggings & various other crimes
2) Dirty movies & peep shows on Time Square
3) Refuse collectors strike
4) Kids play basketball in Harlem as buildings burn
5) Street gangs meeting
6) Map of youth gangs in Brooklyn 1974
7) Silvia Riviera slams Gay Liberation movement for ignoring the plight of Trans people
8) Messy street
9) Protestors hold aloft quote from president Ford
10) Map of mafia influence

09/02/2024

Despite all it urban decay, lawlessness & political unrest, in the 7th decade of the 20th century New-York was a breading ground for some of the most seminal names in Punk, Hip-Hop & Disco (the foundation of House music). AND because of that, I’m just obsessed with it.

1) DJ Kool Herc the god father of Hip-Hop
2) Herc on the wheels of steel
3) CBGB - Seminal Punk club
4) New York band The Ramones outside CBGB
5) David Mancusso - Disco trailblazer, House party extraordinaire
6) A young Mancusso on the Decks.

08/02/2024

One year after the Stonewall Uprising to commemorate the riots, thousands of people marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park. New-Yorkers however were not alone, they were joined by Chicago & San Francisco who formed marches of their own. The day was dubbed "Christopher Street Liberation Day" this was the birth of what would become known as Pride.
Photos from Christopher Street Liberation day & the early days of Pride.

07/02/2024

Songs from the Stonewall Jukebox. From frank Sinatra to Marvin Gaye, Dusty Springfield to Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. Some gems on here, nan music! 😙🤌🏼

06/02/2024

On the morning of June 28th 1969 police once again, raided the Stonewall Inn (this time without tipping off the mafia who ran the venue). Angry patrons & residents fed up with constant harassment & discrimination turned on the police & the resulting riot continued for 5 days.

1) Article from the village voice.
2) Police presence on the streets
3) Mattachine Society urge village residents to keep the peace.
4 & 5) Protester under attack.

05/02/2024

Episode 1 - The Stonewall Rebellion is now available. Apple Music, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Mixcloud, Castbox & other streaming platforms, no Spotify im afraid (But we do have a 40H playlist on there)

Link Tree:
https://podlink.to/TheFunkFoundation

The Evolution Of Disco (1/4)

Disco is the precursor to House music & Dance culture as we know it. This episode Jason takes the story right back to the roots, as we look at the turbulent birth of the spaces that allowed Disco to come into being. Soundtracked by the songs from the Stonewall juke box & classic Soul & Funk from the 50s & 60s, the story takes us through the trials & tribulations of the LGBTQ+ community, in New-York & beyond. From police harassment, to government oppression & exploitation from the mafia, the story of The Stonewall uprising is a seminal moment in the history of Gay Liberation & essential in understanding the context of how the Discotheques & DJs that followed were able to make such a lasting impact on popular culture.

Let us know what you think.

04/02/2024

Late 60s early 70s New York aesthetic from Gary Winogram.

1 - Ethan With Toy Gun
2 - Couple Kissing
3 - Kids In The Park
4 - Man With Broken Nose
5 - Christopher Street Liberation Day
6 - Hard Hat Riots
7 - Anti Vietnam Protests
8 - Womens Lib Movement
9 - Protesting Political Oppression
10 - Civil Rights Protests

02/02/2024

Sending you Disco Diva energy for your Friday!

1) Dianna Ross
2) Candi Staton
3) Labelle
4) Lolleatta Holloway
5) Gloria Gaynor
6) Sister Sledge
7) Sylvester
8) Millie Jackson
9) Pointer Sisters
10) Donna Summer

Who have I missed?

01/02/2024

Two Tons o Fun AKA the Weather Girls (Martha Wash & Izora Armstead) started out as backing vocalists for “Mighty Real” singer Sylvester before branching out on there own & scoring a smash hit with “Its Raining Men” in 1982. During the 90’s Martha Wash’s vocals can be heard on tracks like “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” (Uncredited) by C&C Music Factory, “Everybody Everybody” (Uncredited) By black box & (teaming up with Jocelyn Brown) on “Something Going On” & “Keep on Jumping” by Todd Terry. In 2019 her single “Catch The Light” was sampled by Solardo & Eli Brown for club smash “XTC”.

A legacy spanning five decades from Disco to House with a number of gems along the way. Respect.

31/01/2024

The Stonewall Inn NY 1960’s.

1 - Bar Exterior
2 - Kids outside Stonewall
3 - Members of the Mattachine Society being refused service during a “Sip In” protest - Fred W. McDarrah
4 - Kids of the stonewall

23/01/2024

I know i've been captain procrastination & ive been promising this for a while but everything is mixed & ready to go. First episode of the four part docuseries on the evolution of Disco, culminating in a special on the Paradise garage WILL be dropping on Monday the 5th of feb.