Norma Jean Wright releases disco tribute single 'Ode To Disco'

Norma Jean Wright, the former CHIC lead vocalist, released a new single on July 12, 2026 that salutes disco’s history, clubs and cultural reach. The track and its remix package arrive as younger listeners rediscover the genre and its influence on dance music.

Why it matters: - Norma Jean Wright is using a new release to re-center disco as a living cultural force, not just a nostalgia act. - The single connects disco’s history to today’s dance music audience, which matters as younger listeners revisit 1970s and early-1980s music. - The release also lands as artists and fans continue reassessing disco’s legacy after the 1979 Disco Demolition backlash.

What happened: - Norma Jean Wright released "Ode To Disco" on July 12, 2026. - Bert Price produced the track. - The single is positioned as a response to the anniversary of Disco Demolition Night. - The release frames disco as a celebration of music, culture and community.

The details: - "Ode To Disco" namechecks Studio 54, Paradise Garage and The Loft. - The song pays tribute to the clubs, DJs, artists and communities that shaped disco. - Wright was the original lead vocalist of CHIC. - Wright has worked with Luther Vandross, Sister Sledge, Aretha Franklin and Madonna. - Wright continues to perform globally with former CHIC lead vocalist Luci Martin. - Wright also performs with The First Ladies of Disco alongside Martha Wash and Linda Clifford. - Wright’s 2024 solo EP, "Living & Loving Life," reached No. 1 on the Amazon UK Soul Chart. - British disco enthusiast Mark "Sparky" Wools started the song by writing lyrics about disco’s history and significance. - Wools said he wanted authenticity, soul and lived experience, which led him to reach out to Wright. - Wright said the lyrics and early demo immediately caught her attention. - Wright said the project also gave her a chance to highlight disco trailblazers whose work was tarnished by Disco Demolition in 1979. - The collaboration also included disco pioneer Max Szadek, Bert Price and former Warner Records/RFC label president Ray Caviano. - The release includes the original Radio Mix, Extended Mix, Jazz House Mix, Disco's Biscuits Club Mix and Nu-Disco Mix. - The package is designed to work for longtime disco fans and newer dance music listeners.

Between the lines: - The project is as much a cultural statement as a single, with Wright linking disco’s original sense of unity to today’s political divisions. - Caviano sees a new resurgence among younger listeners who are discovering how disco changed the music business. - Szadek says people are increasingly recognizing the clubs, voices and DJs that shaped the genre across borders. - The song’s message suggests disco’s appeal now rests on both its sound and its history of inclusion.

What's next: - The remix package gives the release multiple entry points for radio, clubs and streaming playlists. - Wright appears to be positioning the song as part of a broader disco revival rather than a one-off release. - The collaboration could keep Wright visible as renewed interest in disco continues to build.

The bottom line: - "Ode To Disco" turns disco history into a current-day release, with Wright leading a tribute that doubles as a reminder of the genre’s lasting influence.