I was flabbergasted when I caught this video put up by MeTV about a decade or so ago. This scene from the popular NBC cop show "CHiPs" which ran from 1977 to 1983 not only has roller disco, which was a thing back in my adolescence, but it also contains the greatest concentration of TV stars that I've ever seen outside of the annual autumn promotion commercial for the network. Of course, I was a tad too young to partake in roller disco, but then again, I never learned how to ice skate when I was smaller so roller skating was pretty out of the cards for me as well.
Has roller disco returned somewhere on the planet? Maybe. I could see a resurgence in Japan for some months. Maybe even in America. Regardless, it's back in this music video for Deep Sea Diving Club's 10th and most recent digital single "Shooting Star" from September 2024. I wrote about these guys a couple of months ago for their Neo-City Pop "City Flight" from 2022 and I've been keeping an eye on them ever since.
"Shooting Star" continues the groovy urban contemporary and it shows what is basically a colourful PSA for women in the workplace to not only work hard but also play hard. One young executive decides to trip the light fantastic in her roller skates to let off some steam and enjoy her evening in the grand futuristic metropolis. Not surprisingly, the music by drummer Showhey Idehara（出原昌平）incorporates some disco into the proceedings. Guitarist and vocalist Sota Tani（谷颯太）provided the lyrics.
Growing up in the 80's I have very fond memories of going roller skating, but I do not remember it being disco, however, it might have been. And, I remember seeing CHiPs on TV! This post was a like blast from the past. However, Deep Sea Diving Club's 'Shooting Star' was new to me!
ReplyDeleteHello, Brian. I wasn't a huge "CHiPs" fan although I caught the occasional episode with Jon and Ponch. I think "Shooting Star" and DSDC may be new to a lot of people; hopefully, they get even more attention.
Delete