Top 5 Disco Artists of All Time

• Earth, Wind & Fire

  One of the premier soul groups of the 1970s, Earth Wind & Fire fused a deep knowledge of the African-American musical tradition with an uplifting, spiritual idealism. To sum up the breadth of their sound is impossible, simply because the group's versatility was awe-inspiring. They played powerhouse Funk anthems, Latin-inflected R&B grooves, shimmering Pop-Soul, and ballads that tugged the heartstrings while sending the spirit soaring across the sky. Their impeccable horn harmonies rivaled the JB's (James Brown's backing band) while Johnny Graham's sweet R&B stylings conveyed worlds of emotion. Bandleader, drummer, and premier songwriter Maurice White infused the music with African rhythm, often featuring the kalimba, or thumb-piano, while the band brought jazz and Latin polyrhythms to the heart of deep funk territory. And their three distinctive vocalists inspired near-religious adoration: Philip Bailey's soaring falsetto, Maurice White's soulful growl, and Jessica Cleaves' natural, unadorned alto. This is music for the mind, the body, and the soul. - Jessy Terry - 2 days ago

• Bee Gees

  The Bee Gees made whiney falsetto hip, wide polyester collars the height of high-rolling fashion, and defined cool for an entire generation. A '70s supergroup who actually began as a brothers act in 1959, the Bee Gees have proven remarkably versatile throughout their long career, unafraid to experiment with everything from country to R&B to straight pop balladry. They scored a number of hits during the 1960s and early '70s with shimmering hits like "I've Got to Get a Message to You" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart." Some of the Bee Gees' most memorable tracks stemmed from the height of the disco era, culminating in 1977's Saturday Night Fever soundtrack with tunes like "Night Fever," "How Deep is Your Love," and of course, "Stayin' Alive." Lush harmonies, symphonic arrangements, and a tendency to reinvent themselves when the going gets tough have made this band one of the longest-running pop acts around. - Sarah Bardeen - 22 hours ago

• Barry White

  An icon of the disco era, Barry White turned a behind the scenes career in the music idustry into a highly succesful career as a performer and hitmaker. Strip away the lush strings and you'll see that White followed in the footsteps of such creamy R&B baritones as Lou Rawls, Isaac Hayes, and even the politically charged Gil Scott Heron. Not really a singer, White used his voice well, employing pillow talk interludes like an amorous Orson Welles doused in Brut 33. Barry White used a heady brew of disco sheen and his bedroom voice to score hit after hit in the '70s. His "Love's Theme" in 1974 pretty much sums up White's mojo, but the hits kept coming until 1979 (perhaps corresponding to the moral backlash against the sexual revolution?). But even chaste monks can't help but be tickled by Barry White, who passed away on July 4, 2003 - Nick Dedina - 6 days ago

• Diana Ross

  Thanks in part to a voice that could compete with Dionne Warwick on the level of pop appeal -- and let's not forget Berry Gordy's loving adoration for her -- Diana Ross not only became the lead singer of the Supremes, she became the quintessential image of the band in the public eye. What might have been had she remained part of the Supremes' backing vocal section will never be known, but the end result of Ross' being placed center stage was a later ascent to uber-diva as a solo artist. Within a year of taking leave of the Supremes in 1969, Ross already had a No. 1 song; within two years, she'd starred in a movie (Lady Sings The Blues) and secured an Academy Award nomination. Not bad for an acting novice and singer on her own for the first time. Over the years, Diana Ross has continued to earn film roles, chart placements, and the undying respect and admiration of drag queens the world over. - Kali Holloway - 22 hours ago

• The Commodores

  Led by Lionel Richie, the Commodores continued Motown's hold on popular music in the late '70s. With their mix of Funk ("Brick House") and ballad ("Three Times a Lady") hits, they were as much a part of that decade as pet rocks and guest spots on Three's Company. - Rosemary Pepper - 6 days ago