The Ritchie Family - photograph originally used for their Arabian Nights album in 1976

The Ritchie Family was the name of an American vocal group who achieved several hits during the 1970s disco era. The three original members were not related and the group was created by Jacques Morali who soon after created Village People. The group took its name from record producer Ritchie Rome, and consisted of singers Cheryl Jacks, Cassandra Wooten, and Gwen Oliver. The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America, the States, or (archaically) Columbia—is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ... Abba Crosby Stills & Nash Danny & The Juniors Dion & the Belmonts Dixie Hummingbirds Earth Wind & Fire Fifth Dimension Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers Gladys Knight & The Pips Hank Ballard & the Midnighters Jay & the Americans Little Anthony & the Imperials Martha & the Vandellas Peter, Paul and Mary Smokey Robinson & The Miracles Sonny Til and... Events and trends Although in the United States and in many other Western societies the 1970s are often seen as a period of transition between the turbulent 1960s and the more conservative 1980s and 1990s, many of the trends that are associated widely with the Sixties, from the Sexual Revolution... Discothèque redirects here. ... Jacques Morali was a disco composer. ... Village People were a disco band of the late 1970s. ...

Their first hit single, a reworking of the 1930s song "Brazil" reached the Top 20 in the United States in 1975, and the album, also titled Brazil sold well. The following year they released the album Arabian Nights and with it the single "The Best Disco In Town". The song was essentially a medley of recent disco songs linked together with an original chorus, and it became a worldwide hit. Events and trends Technology Jet engine invented Science Nuclear fission discovered by Otto Hahn, Lise Meitner and Fritz Strassmann Pluto, the ninth planet from the Sun, is discovered by Clyde Tombaugh British biologist Arthur Tansley coins term ecosystem War, peace and politics Socialists proclaim The death of Capitalism Rise to...

Their follow up albums Life is Music, which followed a 1930s theme, and African Queens were only mediocre successes. Each of these four albums was a concept album featuring songs of a similar theme as suggested by each album title. Each album also featured a long medley, usually running from 15 to 20 minutes. Usually, in popular music, an album of an artist or group simply consists of a number of unconnected songs that the members of the group or the artist have written or have chosen to cover. ...

By 1978 the three members had been replaced by Jaqui Smith, Dodie Draher, and Vera Brown. Their 1978 album American Generation was a slight departure from disco and more in the style of europop, although one of the singles from it was called "I Feel Disco Good". The group abandoned the exotic and highly kitsch costumes of their earlier incarnation in favour of a more contemporary, sexually provocative style. This album was followed by a self titled album, which proved to be their last. Events January January 1 - The Copyright Act of 1976 takes effect, making sweeping changes to United States copyright law. ... Europop refers to a style of pop music that developed in Europe throughout the 1970s which emphasized catchy beats, slick songs and frothy lyrics. ... Kitsch is a term categorizing art that is considered an inferior copy of an existing style. ...

In 1980 they joined Village People for the movie Can't Stop the Music. The film was a resounding failure and still appears on many critics "worst ever" lists; however the soundtrack album sold well in some parts of the world and their two songs marked the end of their career. By this time disco music was losing its appeal throughout the world, and the group became one of many who had enjoyed a brief success, but were unable to continue. 1980 is a leap year starting on Tuesday. ...