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Homosexuality has been a part of post-war popular music since its very inception. Until the early 70s, however, it wasn’t talked about openly in that world: it was coded, hidden, secret. This of course mirrored society - during the 50s and 60s, the gay community felt like outcasts: harassed by the police, demonised by the media and politicians, imprisoned simply for being who they were.
This compilation spans the time before and after Bowie, reflecting both the coded nature about the topic in the 50s and 60s and the greater openness that occurred in the early 70s. It begins in late 1955, with the extraordinary success of Little Richard; continues through early-60s pop and pop art; Tamla and Soul, Glam Rock, the early 70’s funk and disco that was played in the underground New York clubs, and then moves on to the omnipresence of Disco, in the late seventies.
This double CD compilation is about freedom - and freedom for all. Whilst some of the artists identify as LGBTQ+, then or now, some are included simply because they were played in gay or lesbian clubs — where their lyric or sound proved useful and enjoyable to the patrons - or because they were shaped in some way by the gay aesthetic or gay managers. It’s a love letter to the entwined world of music and sexuality in all its many guises and we hope you enjoy the ride.
Tracklist
DISC ONE
I HEAR A NEW WORLD - Joe Meek & The Blue Men
TUTTI-FRUTTI - Little Richard & His Band
ESQUERITA AND THE VOOLA - Esquerita
WONDROUS PLACE - Billy Fury
STRAWBERRY BLONDE (THE BAND ROCKED ON) - Frank D'Rone
FOOT STOMPIN' - The Dovells
JOHNNY REMEMBER ME - John Leyton
PEPPERMINT TWIST (PART 1) – Joey Dee & The Starliters
SALLY, GO ‘ROUND THE ROSES - The Jaynetts
YOU DON'T OWN ME - Lesley Gore
NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK - The Velvelettes
GET DOWN WITH IT - Bobby Marchan
I'LL BE YOUR MIRROR – The Velvet Underground & Nico
HEAVEN MUST HAVE SENT YOU - The Elgins
STAND UP STRAIGHT AND TALL - Jackie Shane
WOMEN IS LOSERS – Big Brother & The Holding Company
NO STRANGER AM I - Norma Tanega
PRETTY GOLDEN HAIR - Al Stewart
DAVID WATTS - The Kinks
NOTHING BUT A HEARTACHE - The Flirtations
STAND! - Sly & The Family Stone
LIFE & DEATH IN G & A - Abaco Dream
NATHAN JONES - The Supremes
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - Lou Reed
COOCHI-COO - Polly Perkins
I'M A MAN - Jobriath
SOUL MAKOSSA - Manu Dibango
LAW OF THE LAND - The Temptations
DISC TWO
GET DANCIN' PART 1 – Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes featuring Sir Monti Rock III
LADY MARMALADE - Labelle
NOBODY'S GONNA CHANGE ME – The Dynamic Superiors
AIN'T NOBODY STRAIGHT IN L.A. - The Miracles
I NEED A MAN (12-inch Version) - Grace Jones
I FEEL LOVE - Patrick Cowley
ORGASM ADDICT - Buzzcocks
FUCK OFF - Jayne County & The Electric Chairs
GLAD TO BE GAY - Tom Robinson Band
I WAS BORN THIS WAY (12-inch Version) - Carl Bean
PRISON (12-inch Version) - Space
DISCO DANCE (Mega Mix) (12-inch Version) - Michele
I NEED SOMEBODY TO LOVE TONIGHT (12-inch Version) - Sylvester