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.

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.

James Arena
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 252
Bibliographic Info: 50 photos, index
Copyright Date: 2017
pISBN: 978-1-4766-6756-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2661-1
Imprint: McFarland

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