The Blackout was a legendary Zurich club located at Zurich Airport in Kloten, operating from 1969 to 1996. Technologically ahead of its time, it offered spectacular light and sound effects and was one of Switzerland’s first true entertainment complexes. Beyond its commercial success, the Blackout also hosted fashion shows, film premieres (the film industry quickly discovered the venue, holding advance screenings for titles like Car Wash (1976) and Saturday Night Fever (1977)), and top-class concerts.

On stage were international artists such as disco star George McCrae, Italo-pop icon Umberto Tozzi, funk and soul band Hot Chocolate, and Austrian superstar Falco.

For me as a DJ, one true highlight is the 1973 LP Airport Zürich Blackout, which features various artists who performed at the club. Especially exciting is the performance by The Skorpyons of Jamaica, whose lead singer Felicia King delivered a powerhouse rendition of James Brown’s Think About It for the record – pure Lyn Collins energy.

I wish I could’ve experienced the Blackout in the early ’70s myself – but at least there’s a piece of Swiss club history preserved on vinyl!