Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Disco Pioneers - Donna Summer & Giorgio Moroder | 20231208 | 20231216 (R2) | Sophie tells the story of Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder - from the unlikely start they each had in the 1960s, to meeting in Germany, and going on to be deemed the Queen of Disco, and Godfather of Electronic Music (a title that Giorgio's not personally keen on). Their incredible workrate resulted in eight albums across 7 years, and a run of hits that includes the ground-breaking single I Feel Love. They also worked separately on movie soundtrack projects, and were both involved with Oscar winning songs. Their legacy has continued through the decades with David Bowie citing their influence on his work, remixes and samples bringing their music to new audiences, as well as Giorgio appearing on the Daft Punk album Random Access Memories, and Beyoncé having a Summer Renaissance. In addition to the amazing music they made, and songs from the disco era, the story is told through archive conversations and interviews with Donna, Giorgio, Donna's husband Bruce Sudano, Barry Manilow, David Bowie and Irene Cara. Sophie profiles the Queen of Disco, and Godfather of Electronic Music. The music, the characters, the glitter ball and the people behind the disco hits! Sophie tells the story of Donna and Giorgio - from unlikely beginnings in the '60s, to meeting in Germany and going on to create some of the most influential music of disco.
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| 02 | Sophie Ellis-bextor's Disco Pioneers, Bernard Edwards And Nile Rodgers | 20231208 | 20231217 (R2) | Sophie tells the story of Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers - from being jobbing musicians in 1970s New York, to forming CHIC, and writing, playing on and producing some of disco's biggest hits. As well as their own disco classics - including Le Freak, Good Times and Everybody Dance, their work with labelmates Sister Sledge resulted in songs like We Are Family, He's The Greatest Dancer and Lost In Music. Their legacy has continued through the decades with projects in the 1980s for David Bowie and Madonna, their music becoming the basis of seminal hip hop and dance tracks, and Nile appearing on 21st Century albums by Daft Punk and Beyoncé. In addition to the amazing music they made, and songs from the disco era, the story is told through archive conversations and interviews with Bernard, Nile, Sister Sledge, David Bowie and Luther Vandross. Sophie profiles the musicians, who wrote and produced some of disco's best loved music. The music, the characters, the glitter ball and the people behind the disco hits! Sophie tells the story of Bernard and Nile - from jobbing musicians in the '70s, to forming CHIC, writing and producing huge hits and having a legacy that lasts to the present day. |
| 03 | Bollywood Disco Knights with Anita Rani | 20231208 | 20231210 (R2) | Anita Rani celebrates the influence of Disco on Bollywood music through some of the era's best loved songs, composers and singers. Accompany Anita as she shares her favourite disco songs from Bollywood greats, including 'The Disco King of India' Bappi Lahiri, Asha Bhosle, Nazia Hassan, Lata Mangeshkar and many more. And discover who was dubbed 'the John Travolta of India'. You can hear more from our Radio 2 Celebrates Disco season, including Edith Bowman's Ultimate Disco Music Moments from the Movies and Sophie Ellis Bextor’s programmes dedicated to Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer and Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. Just search ‘Disco’ in BBC Sounds to find them. A Listen production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 2. Anita Rani celebrates the influence of Disco on Bollywood sharing her favourite songs. The music, the characters, the glitter ball and the people behind the disco hits! Anita Rani celebrates the influence of Disco on Bollywood music by taking listeners through some of the era’s best loved songs, composers and singers.
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| 04 | Edith Bowman's Ultimate Disco Music Moments from the Movies | 20231208 | 20231209 (R2) | As part of Radio 2 Celebrates Disco season, Edith Bowman presents her ultimate guide to disco music films, through the songs that made them iconic. Join Edith on her journey across the decades, featuring multiple award-winners and career-defining performances - all, of course, accompanied by killer songs from the movie soundtracks. Get ready to celebrate everything from 1977’s 'Saturday Night Fever to 2017’s ‘120 BPM’, along with clips from some of those disco pioneers themselves. You can hear more from our Radio 2 Celebrates Disco season, including Bollywood Disco Knights with Anita Rani and Sophie Ellis Bextor’s programmes dedicated to Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer and Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. Just search ‘Disco’ in BBC Sounds to find them. A Listen production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 2. Edith Bowman reveals her favourite disco music films, through the songs that made them. The music, the characters, the glitter ball and the people behind the disco hits! Edith Bowman presents her ultimate guide to disco music films, through the songs that made them iconic.
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