#Melissa Meier

[funstealer]

Quills by Melissa Meier Skins Series (construction created with quills)

[fuskida]

Melissa Meier constructed a 250 pound head made entirely out of brown packing paper and clear tape

[nataliesplatalie]

Melissa Meier, Masks

"In “Masked” I use masks as a form of expressed emotion rather than concealed disguise. I fabricate oversized masks out of clay and ceramics bringing them to life using glass eyes, paint, and human models; I then photograph them in both abstract and commonplace settings. Sculpted stylistically, the masks appear to breathe and live, whether a person is posing behind them or not. With each mask I work to capture the private emotions that are expressed when one is alone. ... In this series I am using masks as a form of revelation. Through the masks I am able to explore one’s true sense of self - not one that is formed by culture, gender, race, age or experience."

[documentary-surrealist]

Dried Flower Skins Created by Brazilian Artist Melissa Meier via: tumblr.com/mybeingthere

[helloelicia]

Ron Finley in his garden wearing a moss and succulent coat created by Melissa Meier

[cosmicanger]

Quills by Melissa Meier

Skins Series (construction created with quills)

[devatafromnowhere]

Melissa Meier

[jacques-le-fataliste-23]

Melissa Meier → https://www.instagram.com/p/C79QRw2tM2S/

[hometownhistorychicago]

40 Minutes Of Mayhem: The Fiery Riot That Killed A Cultural Movement Forever

Melissa Sartore

Updated April 22, 2024

On July 12, 1979, the term "disco inferno" took on a whole new meaning. As the "disco '70s" drew to a close, Chicago radio DJ Steve Dahl decided to speed up the process by promoting a Demolition Disco Night in between games at a White Sox double-header at Comiskey Park. He invited the listeners of his popular radio show to come out to the game and set some records on fire, and tens of thousands showed up to burn a farewell to disco.

But during the event, things got seriously out of hand; after a sluggish baseball season, the stadium hadn't seen crowds like this for quite some time. Riots, crazed fans, and crowd rushes can notoriously break out quickly at sporting events, and Comiskey Park Disco Demolition Night was a prime example of this. By the end of the night, disco records were in flames, fans were looting the stadium, and the White Sox had to forfeit their second game. Disco itself never quite recovered.

Steve Dahl Hated Disco And Wasn't Shy About Saying It

In 1979, Steve Dahl got fired from a Chicago radio station that changed from rock to all-disco. He wasn't very happy about this, since he was a rock-heavy DJ, but he got a job DJing at WLUP. Bitter about his loss, Dahl found an anti-disco cohort in new colleague/DJ Garry Meier, and the pair found an enthusiastic audience for fellow disco-haters. Together, they kicked off an idea for a public disco demolition event.

The White Sox Approached Dahl About Bringing His Pyro Party To The Stadium

The White Sox were slated to play the Detroit Tigers on July 12, a make-up double-header from games that had been rained out earlier in the season. The team already had a promotion on the books, one geared to toward teenagers. When Mike Veeck, son of White Sox owner Bill Veeck and White Sox promotions promoter got wind of a radio DJ blowing up disco records, he contacted the radio station to see if he would do it at the stadium. 

The White Sox were struggling and attendance was down, so Veeck and Jeff Schwartz, WLUP sales manager, met to discuss the possibility of an event. Dahl had already mentioned he would be blowing up records at a local mall, so Veeck simply suggested Dahl relocate to the stadium. 

Dahl's Disco-Hating Fans Were Known As The Insane Coho Lips

In his campaign against disco, Dahl and his co-host, Garry Meier, created an army called the Insane Coho Lips. These were their devoted listeners and disco-hating followers and the ones the DJs invited to show up at Comiskey Park on July 12. Cohos, as they were known, claimed disco music represented elitism and consisted of purely vapid sounds. They alleged rock stars like Rod Stewart had sold out and shifted to more disco-oriented songs with tunes like "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" ruining music in the process.

At Dahl's behest, the Cohos descended upon Comiskey Park to bring disco down. They hung up "Disco sucks!" banners, and drank a lot of beer, ready to protest against the enemy. 

It Took Some Convincing To Get Dahl To Host The Event At Comiskey Park

Dahl wanted to blow up records but the thought of bringing a few thousand vinyls to Comiskey Park didn't seem very appealing. At the time, the White Sox were only averaging about 18,000 fans per game and an extra 5,000 wouldn't fill enough seats to make the event look like much of a success, in Dahl's opinion.

Disco Demolition Night Had An Admission Charge Of $.98 And A Disco Record

Dahl's radio station, WLUP, was 97.9 on the radio dial so it was decided that Disco Demolition Night would cost $.98 for attendees, as long as they had a disco record, too. The White Sox hoped that their Teen Night promotion combined with cheap tickets, Dahl's following, and general animosity toward disco would pack in a big crowd. 

More Than 60,000 Fans Showed Up To The Game And Thousand More Jammed Up The Highways

The exact attendance of the game is in question - it was reported to be anywhere from 50,000 to more than 75,000 people crowded into the 52,000-seat stadium, but either way, Comiskey Park was packed with fans. Countless more tried to get into the game and some attempted to scale the wall to get in without paying. Thousands more tried to get to the stadium, tying up traffic on the Dan Ryan Expressway for hours. 

On The Day Of The Game, Dahl Wore A Fatigues And An Army Helmet

The first game started at 6 pm. The White Sox lost but had another chance to beat the Tigers in game two of the scheduled double header. In between games, however, disco was going to meet its destruction. A little before 9 pm, Dahl, Meier, and radio "Loop Rock Girl" Lorelei Shark drove out onto the field in a Jeep. Dahl was wearing military fatigues and a helmet in anticipation of blowing up a box of disco records that had been brought out onto the field. Dahl started chanting "Disco sucks!" and the crowd joined in, reportedly shaking the rafters. 

The Box Of Records Went Up In Flames And Fans Threw Records Around The Stadium

Dahl blew up the box of records and pandemonium broke out.  The explosion itself, which took place near the center field wall, blew flames 200 feet in the air according to some, only 30 feet by other accounts.  Smoke was everywhere and pieces of vinyl littered the field. As soon as the explosion took place, the crowds started to descend onto the field, still chanting "Disco sucks!" 

Fans Stormed The Field, Stealing Bases, Bats, And Anything Else They Could Find

An estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fans ran onto the field at Comiskey Park in a mad rush. The fans who didn't get down to the field began throwing their disco records haphazardly in the air.  White Sox pitcher Ken Kravec, who was warming up for the second game, later said he remembered shoes and records flying by his head. On the field, the crowd started pulling up bases, looting the dugouts, digging up grass, tearing down batting cages, and lighting fires.

The Jeep carrying Dahl, Meier, and Shark made its way off of the field. They were whisked away by security and taken back to the press room to escape the chaos. Paul Natkin, a photographer for the disco demolition, recalled hanging on to the hood of the Jeep as the driver sped away trying to avoid the crowd. 

The Stadium Was So Damaged That The White Sox Had To Forfeit The Second Game

The damage to Comiskey Park was so severe that the second game couldn't go on. After an hour and 16 minute delay, the umpire Dave Phillips declared the field "unplayable." The White Sox had to forfeit, losing both games essentially. The forfeit on July 12, 1979 was the last one in the American League to date. 

Almost 40 People Were Arrested For Destruction Of Property

Despite pleas by the game announcers to return to their seats, rioting fans continued to wreak havoc on the field. Dahl, Meier, and White Sox announcer Harry Carey all tried but nothing worked. Harry Carey hollered out "Can you hear me out there? OK! To make this an absolutely perfect evening, let's say we all regain our seats, so we can play baseball again!" and even started singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."

The Chicago police were called and began making arrests. Most of the crowd ran off when the cops arrive, but in the immediate aftermath of Disco Demolition Night, 39 people were arrested for destruction of property. There were only a few minor injuries. 

The Night Was Deemed Both A Disaster And A Triumph

With the rioting of the fans, the forfeiture of the game, and the destruction to Comiskey Park, the media decreed the disco demolition event a "mob scene." However, from the perspective of the people in the seats — and Steve Dahl himself — it was a wild success. The Veecks wanted to bring people to the Park and they did. Not everyone got in, which was another aspect of its success, but Disco Demolition Night definitely made a mark on baseball and music. 

Dahl Was Criticized For Being Homophobic And Racist In His Attacks On Disco

Because disco was had its origins in Latino, black, and gay communities, Dahl's actions were seen as an exercise in homophobia and racism. The disco "lifestyle" was the antithesis to rock music - white leisure suits and gold chains versus jeans and tee-shirts - and Dahl's attack was perceived as a social statement as much as a musical preference. According to Gloria Gaynor, rock n' roll promised egalitarianism... but disco actually had it. To her, "disco never got credit for being the first and only music ever to transcend all nationalities, race, creed, color, and age groups." 

Dahl denies any homophobic or racist agenda and, in his own words, is "worn out from defending myself as a racist homophobe for fronting Disco Demolition."

Dahl's Attack On Disco May Have Helped Kill The Whole Musical Movement

When Disco Demolition Night took place, disco was dominating the charts. Songs by Gloria Gaynor, the Bee Gees, and Donna Summer were number one hits during the first part of 1979. The Bee Gees had their last number one hit, "Love You Inside Out," on July 9th, just three days before the event. Shortly after Disco Demolition Night, there was a shift in music. By August and September 1979, New Wave hits by groups like the The Knack emerged and began to take over the airwaves. Some argue that New Wave was heavily influenced by disco while others see the attack on disco as a positive moment for the genre. In Chicago, disco continued on in underground clubs and was reworked by synthesizers, ultimately creating house music.

[glimpsesofeuterpe]

felt obligated to list muses and their (known so far) alternates out now, oh no

The Cornelius(es)

Protagonist Cornelius, Classic Cornelius, Happy Cornelius, Space Pirate Cornelius (Neil), Composer Cornelius, Inspector Cornelius, Vampire Cornelius, Angel Cornelius (Corabael), Demon Cornelius (Corey), Inspector Cornelius, Archivist Cornelius, Winter Prince Cornelius, Librarian Cornelius, Lonely Cornelia, Alpha Cornelia (Emily), Beta Cornelius, Gamma Cornelius, Vampire Cornelia (Nelle), Russian Cornelius (Корнелий/Kornelij), British Victorian Cornelius (Dr Gratton), Gem Cornelius (Tiger Eye), Wizard Cornelius, Enthusiast Cornelius, Robot Cornelius, Skeleton Cornelius

The Deimos(es)

Antagonist Deimos, Narrator Deimos, Shadowy Deimos (Phos), Human Deimos (Damien), Demon Deimos (Demien), Mermaid Deimos, Captain Deimos (Captain Deimey Moss), Gem Deimos (Green Jadeite or Emerald), Cat Deimos (Demyaw), Princess Deimos, Farmer Deimos (Dahlia), Redhead Deimos, Wizard Deimos, Alternian Deimos, Mettaton Deimos extra: Arianna and Artemius, Deim's younger siblings extra extra: XJ10 aka Jade (Neil's assistant) extra extra extra: Deinelius (confusion au)

The Frankys

Grumpy: Strayed Franky, Dad Franky, Wizard Franky, Werewolf Franky, Gem Franky (Enstatite), Angel Franky (Frankiel), Female Franky (Franziska) Dorky: The Dork Maddison, Warlock Maddison (Adam), Captain Maddison, Cyborg Maddison, Pilot Maddison, Mechanic Maddison, Magic Maddison, Rick Maddison (Frederick) extra: Marcus Mayfair (employee 517) aka a beta-something-past version of Maddison extra extra: Ludolf Meier (Franky's Uncle) extra extra extra: Adam Smithson, which is clerly related to Franky(s), nuff said

Amelies:

Classic Amelie, Cyberpunk Amelie, Angel Amelie (Amaliel), Parable Amelie (Amber), Male Amelie (Albus), Possessed Amelie (Ambrose), Sinner/Demon Amelie

Sophies:

Fairy Sophie, Employee Sophie (006)

+ Cornelius' ex co-workers: Maria Mironova and Jack Waller

Narrators:

Bionic Narrator (Magnus), Bossy/Demon Narrator (Bernael), Narrator.exe, Beta Narrator (Norbert), Caelumirian Narrator (Augustin), Snapey Narrator, Gem Narrator (Brown Diamond?), Narrator Royce, MONIKA

Curators:

The Observer, Beta Curator (Norene), Angel Curator (Barrattiel), Human Curator (Beatrice), Curator.exe, Curator GLaDOS

Stanleys:

Stanley Freeman, Stanley von Sales, Thomas Stanley Porter, Severine Stanley, Stella Fiedler, Pastel Stanley, Stanley.exe, Gem Stanley (Gray Pearl) Not Stanleys:

Protagonist Chell, Ashley Davies (The Player)

Mariellas:

Classic Mariella, Dream Mariella (aka Doll aka Princess aka Melissa Noxire), Pastel Mariella, Not Mariella (Simona Petrikov), Mariella.exe, Gem Mariella (Peanut Pearl)

Employee 432 aka Settings Person aka Timekeeper aka Ceaseless Watcher:

Eric Nowak

Adventure Line (humanized-ish):

Ghost Adventure Line (Flavian), Gem Adventure Line (Yellow Spinel)

The Employee Lounge (humanized):

Lacey Fidelis, Lesley Fidelis

Ricks:

Narrator Rick, Dandere Rick, Detective Rick, Ava Rickinsocks, Bossy Rick, Hacker Rick

Mortys:

Protagonist Morty, Yandere Morticia, Nerdy Morticia, Captain Morty, Cursed Morty, Shadow Morty, Wizard Morty

OTHERS: Homestuck linked: Kostya Trollen, Nick Surname Presentable Liberty linked: Paul Viaton, Lenore (Eleanor) Farrell, Benjamin Smiley, Charlotte Addams, Barret Videll, Salvadore Marchetti, Morayne Johnson DST linked: Triumphant Wilson and a Willow (iguess?)

Wannabe big guys aka friends from the other side aka yet another aliens (divinedamnedgambles):

Endymion, Nelumbo, Nebula (aka Red and Blue), Mother Nature, Goodness (Agnes), Darkness (The Temptress), Inquisitiveness (aka Yellow aka Employee333), Lorelei, Oneiros, Helianthus (aka Deim's Grandpa), The Troubadour, Aurora

Men In White:

Elyon and Karael, Vega, Gadreel, Raziel, Seraphim

[seasoflife]

Melissa Meier

seasoflife

[funstealer]

Sea Shells Ensemble by Melissa Meier Skins Series (construction created with shells)

[iyelastudio]

Veneer Study

Melissa Meier Skin Series

1. egg shells 2. sunflower seeds 3. popcorn and beans 4. eucalyptus 5. pistachio shells

[gaiusozarkus]

Melissa Meier

[helloelicia]

Melissa Meier

[cosmicanger]

Sea Shells Ensemble by Melissa Meier

Skins Series (construction created with shells)