Free Republic

Disco music’s time in the sun may have passed, but the legacy of “The Hustle,” a mega hit in the genre, lives onOn April 18, 1975, Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony’s “The Hustle” was released and skyrocketed to become a massive dance hit of the decade, selling ten million records. The song and the dance it celebrated set the beat of the disco era. The record is known for its irresistible rhythm and its primary lyrical command: “Do the hustle,” which is said 11 times. The only other lyrics—said five times—are “Do it.” Before spending an hour to...

Joni Sledge, who recorded the infectious dance anthem “We Are Family” with her three sisters, was found dead in her Phoenix home, the band’s rep said Saturday. The 60-year-old member of Sister Sledge had not been ill, and her cause of death remains unclear, said the band’s publicist Biff Warren. A friend found Sledge on Friday. “On yesterday, numbness fell upon our family. We welcome your prayers as we weep the loss of our sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin,” read a family statement.