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The following podcast contains explicit language.

I'm Stephen Metcalf, and this is the Slate Culture Gab Fest.

I think we really made a connection edition.

It's Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012.

On today's program, Slate's own Jody Rosen joins us to talk about the legacy of disco,

occasioned, of course, by the passing of Robin Gibb and Donna Summer.

The Bachelorette, which is the hate watch of choice in the Metcalf household, somewhat improbably. I've been strong-armed into talking about this on the program. And finally, it's that time of year again commencement speeches. We linger over some of the storied ones and talk about the genre in general. I'm joined today by Slate's own deputy editor, Julia Turner. Hello, Julia.

Hi, Steve. And of course, Slate's film critic, Dana Stevens. Hey, Dana. Hey, Steve. All right, well, we're

joined by Slate's own music critic Jody Rosen to talk about the legacy of Robin Gibb and Donna Summer. Jody, by some,

you know, quirk of music god fate. Two of the truly great popularizers of disco died within roughly a

week of one another. To try to sharpen our sense of what their legacy is, let's talk a little bit

first about disco. I mean, there was a point in the early to mid-70s when you would have thought

that, you know, white guys playing guitar was going to define popular music going forward forever, right?

This is the heyday of Led Zeppelin, the Stones, glam rock.

And rock and roll had really emerged to be the centerpiece of American and British music, pop music.

...