A Dance Marathon Like No Other
In the late 70s, Sacramento witnessed a phenomenon that would set the dance floors on fire – literally. Paul Dale Roberts, a man whose feet moved faster than a spinning disco ball, embarked on a mission to break the Guinness World Record for the longest disco dance marathon. What transpired was a story of endurance, rhythm, and a whole lot of groovy moves.
Setting the Stage for a Record
Roberts, a man synonymous with disco in Sacramento, initially aimed for 79 hours of non-stop dancing. Little did he know, his 15-minute breaks would be a dealbreaker. The Guinness rulebook stipulated a mere 5 minutes of break per hour. Undeterred, Roberts set his sights higher, aiming for a mind-boggling 205 hours of disco dancing. That’s 8 1/2 days of relentless boogying!
Dancing Against the Clock
The dance floor became Roberts’ home. Eating? Only if his feet kept moving. Nature’s call? A dance to and from the restroom, with witnesses ensuring his feet never stopped. The challenge was Herculean, with moments where Roberts teetered on the edge of collapse. Thankfully, a strong-willed German woman was his anchor, literally holding him up through the slow dances.
From The Ritz to Ripley’s
The dance marathon started at The Ritz in Old Sacramento, before moving to the Country Club Plaza, all while Roberts continued dancing inside a van. This extraordinary feat wasn’t just for fame; it was a charity dance for Easter Seals, inspiring donations as Roberts danced his way into history.
The Reign of the Disco King
Roberts wasn’t just any dancer; he was royalty. Crowned the 3rd and 5th Disco King of Sacramento, his reign came with perks like never-before. Access to three Rolls Royces, VIP treatment at nightclubs, and rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Wolfman Jack, Monti Rock III, Cher, and CHIC. His dance prowess led him to become an instructor at Arthur Murrays and perform with Jeff Kutach’s Dancing Machine.
The Sunset of Disco
However, all good things come to an end. The Disco Demolition of 1979 marked the downfall of disco and with it, the end of Roberts’ glittering reign as the Disco King. But the legacy of his record-breaking 205-hour dance marathon lives on, immortalized in a Ripley’s Believe it or Not comic strip.
Paul Dale Roberts, HPI’s Esoteric Detective
Sacramento Paranormal Investigations
Halo Paranormal Investigations
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Email: [email protected]
MY BOOKS:
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PICTURES OF MY DAYS OF DISCO:
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Paul Dale Roberts
