On July 12, 1979, an event known as Disco Demolition Night resulted in significant disorder at Comiskey Park during a scheduled doubleheader between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers. The first game ended with a White Sox loss of 4-1, but the planned second game was canceled. Up to 50,000 fans attended for a promotion where radio personality Steve Dahl destroyed disco records. This led to fans storming the field, culminating in chaotic scenes, with reports of flames in the stands and playful antics among fans, including sliding into bases.
Nancy Faust, the White Sox's organist for 41 seasons, remembers: "I was playing 'Disco Sucks' along with people chanting it until it turned unruly. I was to play 'Do You Think I'm Disco' for Steve Dahl and he just started singing it without the intro or anything. So then I just fell into place with him. I remember Bill (Veeck) pleading with the fans and how pathetic that was."
I realized this was kind of serious when I remember looking across the field and seeing flames in the stands. So I thought, 'Oh my goodness, this is serious.' But, I mean, I don't think I realized the full impact until I watched the videos more recently of it.
It was crazy running around on a Major League Baseball field, sliding into the bases and standing on the pitcher's mound. I grew up going to games at old Comiskey and never dreamed I'd ever be on the field.
Some guy pretended he was an umpire at home plate, calling people safe and out as they slid home one after another. Everyone just looked at each other like, 'Can you believe this is happening?'
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