Were the Disco-driven late 1970s cool or repulsive?  

Thanks for writing, and I agree, the Disco era produced some beautifully written and played music. Around '78, I was a musical snob, heavily into Punk and New Wave, but also into Soul, as distinct from Disco. The Bee Gees weren't cool to me, but I loved the OST to "Saturday Night Fever". I don't recall liking Chic; but now I love the music Nile and Bernard produced for Chic and Sister Sledge: beautiful melodies, vocals, rythyms, I could listen for hours. Andy Gibb was a romantic icon; but only later did I learn to love his music: the LP "Shadow Dancing" is a neglected masterpiece of the sweetest romantic Soul and Dance. Leif was another romantic icon, and "I was Made for Dancing" still sounds great! Thanks again...:o) Carl

I agree with you about the Bee Gees; they were magnificent songwriters. It's a shame the way they are seen as icons of a supposedly "tasteless" decade. Not true: Barry Gibb suited the 70s look; no way did he look ridiculous. Some people did; some didn't. It was a flamboyant age. I never learned the dances though...:o) I just did my own thing!

Ever try to do the bump when you were 3 sheets to the wind! I knocked someone off their feet!

No, I was pretty terrible at the Bump, because I only knew one move, which is the basic bump of hip to hip; so I just developed my own style based partly on Travolta, and the kids from dismal faceless suburbs I knew back then who came alive on the dance floor. It worked for me.

Yes, it was a great time. I had many Soul/Disco favourites. I dust them off from time to time, and dance to them in my bedroom, grooving as if it was still 77!