The ladies were ready to get down when Kool & The Gang fired up their signature smash "Ladies' Night" at Epcot's Garden Rocks Concert on May 1st! The iconic funk jam from their 1979 album of the same name had all the women rushing the stage to party like it was 1979 again.
Written by bassist Robert "Kool" Bell, "Ladies' Night" was inspired by an actual weekly ladies' night promotion at a New Jersey club. Bell thought a song encouraging men to come out and join the ladies' celebration would make for a great dancefloor anthem. With its monster hook and slinky groove, he was absolutely right.
Once producer Eumir Deodato added the sizzling horn intro and synth bassline, "Ladies' Night" was primed to dominate the charts. Powered by Bell's funky bass and dizzying horns, the track shot straight to #1 Pop and R&B upon its release in late 1979. It remained Kool & The Gang's biggest hit for over 20 years.
At Epcot, the iconic intro immediately had the crowd cheering. When James "J.T." Taylor smoothly crooned "Come on out tonight, every guy grab a girl," scores of ladies flooded the front to party down. The band's flawless performance highlighted why this song has remained a staple at clubs, parties, and weddings for over 40 years.
By the time they got to call-and-response chorus, everyone was singing in unison - "Gonna meet all the ladies!" The celebratory vibe was electric as Kool & The Gang made us nostalgic for the good ole days of bellbottoms and disco. When the song climaxed with the blaring horns, no one wanted the "Ladies' Night" celebration to end.
Kool & The Gang's exhilarating rendition of their signature 1979 hit "Ladies' Night" at Epcot demonstrated why this dancefloor smash has stood the test of time. Nearly 45 years later, its funky rhythms and magnetic hook still drive crowds wild. We were thrilled to join in the "Ladies' Night" festivities as the band that defined R&B funk in the 70s and 80s kept the party going in 2023!
