Although it may seem unimaginable to think of time when nightclubs did not exist, but there was such time. Now without sounding too cliché , let’s now take a journey back in time to where it all began….
It was around the 1900’s when people first began frequenting venues where music was available and there was a place to boogie. During this time, the music was usually played on a piano or juke boxes (think live music acts and DJ’s of the olden days). During prohibition (that’s when they banned the sale of alcohol) in the US, these venues were forced underground and aptly named “speakeasy” clubs – that is, ordering drinks quietly so as not to attract attention. But as soon as prohibition ended (thank-god for that!) in 1933, these nightclubs were revived, along with some of New Yorks finest such as 21 Club and Copacabana.
During the 50’s and 60’s nightclubs grew in popularity and often included acts such as Burlesque dancers and magicians. This was also the era where R&B and Rock and Roll were prevalent.
However, it wasn’t until the 1970’s when the nightclub scene flourished – this was the age of Disco baby! This may have something to do with the change of music. The Entertainment Planet Blogspot says “The term discotheque was abbreviated to disco, disc jockeys became known as DJs and musically disco moved away from it’s original rock and roll influences and bread new dance crazes, fashions and trends including bright colours, garish sequined outfits and even roller skating” (2010). The 70’s was also when DJ’s became the main musical act; and the greatest club of all time – Studio 54 rose to notoriety.
In the 1980’s and 90’s saw the return to popularity of live music acts in clubs. According to Boston Nightclub News, the 80’s saw a lively London nightclub scene emerge. Live acts that played at these clubs included: Blondie, Depeche Mode and Duran Duran. During this time, nightclubs in London and some European cities even changed the culture of DJ’s and clubbing. Punk and Metal was the rage in the 80′s, in contrast to the 90’s when House and Hip-hop became the crazes in music.
And as far as the clubs in the new millennium, well, we know what they’re like
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