- published: 25 May 2014
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Italo disco (alternatively spelt Italo-disco) is a subgenre of disco music which originated in Italy in the late 1970s. Whilst the genre developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the term was coined in 1983 by Bernard Mikulski. An early form of electronic dance music, it faded in the late 1980s and was replaced by Italo house and European dance music.
Italo disco borrowed elements from traditional disco music, yet was more electronic. The genre employed drum machines and synthesizers and was usually sung in English. The genre was successful in Europe during the 1980s, except the United Kingdom where it was never particularly successful, although several Italo disco songs did become hits there, such as Ryan Paris's "Dolce Vita", Laura Branigan's "Self Control", Baltimora's "Tarzan Boy", Spagna's "Call Me" and Sabrina's "Boys". Nonetheless, several British electronic acts such as the Pet Shop Boys, Erasure and New Order are said to have been influenced by the genre.
The term "Italo", a generic prefix meaning Italian, had been used on pop music compilation albums in Germany as early as 1980, such as Italo Top Hits on the K-Tel label and the first volume of Italo Super Hits on the Ariola label.
RADIO STATION | GENRE | LOCATION |
---|---|---|
101.RU Italo Disco | 70s | Russia |
Polskastacja 80s & Italo Disco | 80s | Poland |
Italo Disco (laut.fm) | 70s | Germany |
Italo-Disco netradio Athens! | Dance | Greece |