Introduction
Oldies music fans will remember Alicia Bridges is the singer best known for her worldwide disco hit “I Love the Nightlife (Disco ‘Round)” during the late 70s music era. Bridges had already been into music when she was young that she was able to play guitar and hosted her own radio program where she occasionally performed. In 1977, she released her debut “I Love the Nightlife (Disco ‘Round)” that reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978 and made to single charts to different countries. At 60-plus years old, Bridges continues to pursue music actively as a producer and DJ.
Early life and career
American singer Alicia Bridges was born in Lawndale, North Carolina on July 15, 1953. At a very young age, she was already into singing and started playing guitar when she was ten years old. When she was 12, she hosted her own radio show The Alicia Bridges Show which was broadcast on the local station in Shelby, NC. Apart from singing, she also manned the turntables, record cues, and ran all the dials.
Bridges’ recording career with her biggest hit single “I Love the Nightlife”
Signing to Polydor Records in 1977, Bridges started her career with “I Love the Nightlife (Disco ‘Round)” which was released in the following year. It climbed to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made to the Billboard’s “Hits of the World” chart. It even became a favorite among country music stations. The success of “I Love the Nightlife (Disco ‘Round)” – with over million copies sold in the US alone – earned a gold disc from the RIAA, and another gold disc from Canada. Her eponymous debut LP rose to its peak position at #5 on the Billboard 200, #2 on the dance album chart, and #32 on the UK albums chart.
Disco record producer and New York DJ Jim Burgess subsequently recorded a 12″ single remix of “I Love the Nightlife” which became a big hit worldwide. It has been used in several films such as The Last Days of Disco, Love at First Bite and The Aventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Issued during the conflict between the followers of disco and rock music, her next single “Body Heat” peaked at #86 on the Hot 100. It was later followed by a single called “Under the Cover of Darkness” which was released in 1984.
Later years
Bridges established her own publishing firm, Alicia Bridge Music Publications, in 2006; so far it has issued three albums. She went on to release other later recordings such as Say it Sister (2007) and Faux Diva (2008) which contains the remixed version of her most popular song “I Love the Nightlife.”
Bridges, who is openly lesbian, has continued to be active in the music business as a producer and DJ.
Alicia Bridges Discography
Mega Records
(1973)
Alicia Bridges
- A: Just A Little Lovin’ (Just A Little Fun) [Mono]
- B: Just A Little Lovin’ (Just A Little Fun) [Stereo]
Polydor Records
(1978)
Alicia Bridges
- A: Body Heat
- B: We Are One
(1978)
Alicia Bridges
- A: Body Heat [Short Version]
- B: Body Heat [Long Version]
(1978)
Alicia Bridges
- A: Body Heat
- B: Body Heat
(Jun 1978)
Alicia Bridges
- A: I Love The Nightlife (Disco ‘Round)
- B: Self Applause
(Jun 1978)
Alicia Bridges
- A: I Love The Nightlife (Disco ‘Round) [Mono]
- B: I Love The Nightlife (Disco ‘Round) [Stereo]
(1979)
Alicia Bridges
- A: Rex The Robot
- B: Starchild
(AVI Records)
(1981)
Alicia Bridges
- A: If You Only Knew
- B: Picture Of Success
Polydor Band Of Gold Series Records
Alicia Bridges
- A: I Love The Nightlife (Disco Round)
- B: Self Applause