Stars of '90s Dance Pop: 29 Hitmakers Discuss Their Careers

by James Arena

Overview

The 1990s produced some of the greatest artists and hits in dance music history. And the decade was among the genre's most successful in terms of energy, sales and global popularity. In this retrospective, 29 singers, songwriters, producers, DJs and industry professionals who enjoyed stardom on the club circuit and on pop radio candidly discuss their careers. Interviewed artists include Richard and Fred Fairbrass of Right Said Fred ("I'm Too Sexy"), Nicki French ("Total Eclipse of the Heart"), Haddaway ("What Is Love"), Lane McCray of La Bouche ("Be My Lover"), Martha Wash, vocalist of C+C Music Factory ("Gonna Make You Sweat [Everybody Dance Now]"), Robin S ("Show Me Love"), Frank Peterson, formerly of Enigma ("Sadeness, Part I"), CeCe Peniston ("Finally"), Dr. Alban ("It's My Life"), Thea Austin, formerly of Snap! ("Rhythm Is a Dancer") and many more. Commentaries are provided by former Billboard dance music editor Larry Flick, renowned producers/songwriters The Berman Brothers (Real McCoy's "Another Night") and acclaimed DJ Susan Morabito.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476667560
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	12/05/2016
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

James Arena is a New York-based author, host and commentator who has been featured on MSNBC, Fox, SiriusXM and other networks. He is the author of the pop culture books Fright Night on Channel 9, First Ladies of Disco and Legends of Disco and a recipient of a G.E.M.A. Foundation/City of Philadelphia award for preserving dance music history.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix
Foreword by Larry Flick 1
Special Commentary by the Berman Brothers 5
Preface 9
The Stars
Thea Austin, formerly of Snap!—“Rhythm Is a Dancer” (1992) 13
Angie Brown, formerly of Bizarre Inc—“I’m Gonna Get You” (1992) 21
Sannie Carlson, also known as Whigfield—“Saturday Night” (1994) 30
Marty Cintron, formerly of No Mercy—“Where Do You Go” (1996) 39
Nance Coolen, formerly of Twenty 4 Seven—“Slave to the Music” (1993) 47
Fred and Richard Fairbrass of Right Said Fred—“I’m Too Sexy” (1991) 55
Nicki French—“Total Eclipse of the Heart” (1995) 68
Nestor Haddaway, also known as Haddaway—“What Is Love” (1992) 77
Sten Hallström, also known as StoneBridge, DJ, Producer,
Remixer—“Show Me Love” (Robin S, 1992) 86
Nosie Katzman, Composer, Lyricist—“Mr. Vain” (Culture Beat,
1993) 97
Sybil Lynch, also known as Sybil—“The Love I Lost” (West End
featuring Sybil, 1993) 107
Robin Jackson Maynard, also known as Robin S—“Show Me Love” (1993) 116
Lane McCray of La Bouche—“Be My Lover” (1995) 123
Rozalla Miller, also known as Rozalla—“Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)” (1992) 133
Tony Moran, DJ, Producer, Remixer—“HIStory” (Michael Jackson, 1997) 144
Ultra Naté—“Free” (1997) 153
Alban Nwapa, also known as Dr. Alban—“It’s My Life” (1992) 164
CeCe Peniston—“Finally” (1991) 171
Frank Peterson, formerly of Enigma, Producer—“Sadeness Part I”
(Enigma, 1990) 178
Alfredo “Larry” Pignagnoli, Producer, Label Owner—“Saturday
Night” (Whigfield, 1994) 191
Paul Spencer, also known as Dario G—“Sunchyme” (1997) 195
Rafael “Dose” Vargas, formerly of 2 in a Room—“Wiggle It” (1990) 204
Martha Wash, former guest vocalist with C + C Music Factory,
Black Box—“Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” (1990) 210
Kristine Weitz, also known as Kristine W—“One More Try” (1996) 218
Afterword by Susan Morabito 227
The CD Rack: Recommended Listening 231
Index 239