Disco-Disco.com

I moved to Chicago because of my day job. I took a promotion to a District Sales Manager with Fedex in Chicago and needed to move from northern NJ to do it. You know the funny thing is that at the time I thought I would leave the NY metro area for about a year or two and then return, and once I left I never went back (except to visit my parents). I think the last place I played in Chicago was a place called Pete's of all things if I remember correctly.

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DJ Alan
Northern NJ DJ 1974-1983
Creation, Meadowbrook,
Soap Factory, Dimples,
Chicago, Dante's Inferno,
Club Bene, The Palace + Others

PETE YOU SOUND LIKE YOU'RE IN LOVE THERE.

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STARR CHILD
DO IT TO THE MUSIC!!!

In love?? If any of you guys had known Pink Lady 25 years ago, you would have certainly fallen in love, or at least in lust! I had already met my future wife, and was in Love, but PINK LADY made it difficult to be a good boy. Just Great Memories!

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"Join The Dark Side"
"I Talk The Talk and Walk The Walk!"
http://www.myspace.com/pete_denis

What you said!

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Disco Lives

That's What I Said! She was a fine example of what a Disco babe was. Tell me different!

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"Join The Dark Side"
"I Talk The Talk and Walk The Walk!"
http://www.myspace.com/pete_denis

Guys, I am right here, I can read you know. So don't talk about me, especially in a past tense! I am 5 pounds lighter then in 1983, more toned. I work out every day, and at 41, I am finer then I was at 18. And I know you guys thought I was fine then! But this site is not about this. So please, ease up. I am into the music, the Clubs, and of course, the deejays. Getting to communicate with you two, and Alan and Pinky, and Jay and so on is so cool.
A dream come true. So what I want got know, EVERYONE!! Is why did you stop deejaying in clubs? You got married, and that was that? You let a woman take your passion?? Those ladies sure must be special. Or are there other reasons. Please tell me there are other reasons, not just your women!

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UM-Girl

This is one Pink Lady who can handle herself (remember, Black Belt). So I won't come to her defense. But ease up on her. I think she asked a very valid question. I would like to know exactly why you Star Deejays retired?

MY DEAR PINK LADY,

THE REASON I STOPPED SPINNING RECORDS IN 1985 WAS BECAUSE THE MUSIC WAS SHIFTING INTO A VERY NEW ANMD BOLD RAP ARENA.

I WAS A VISIONARY AND DEEPLY INVOLVED ITH THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, WHICH TIED INTO MY WORK AT THE IPANEMA.

I COULD PREDICT HIT SALES RECORDS IN ADVANCE .

WITH THAT SAME SENSE OF VISION I COULD SEE A SHIFT IN THE DANCE MUSIC ARENA TO RAP MUSIC.

I WAS VERY SINCERE WITH MY VISION AND INTEGRITY.

I HAD TO MAKE A DECISION TO SHIFT INTO MORE RAP TO SURVIVE WITH THE RECORD INDUSTRY OR FORGET ABOUT THE RECORD INDUSTRY AND KEEP SPINNING DISCO AND FREE-STYLE (WHICH COULD HAVE KEPT ME AROUND FOR ANOTHER 5 TO 10 YEARS.)

I COULD NOT LIE TO MYSELF NOR TO MY CROWDS WHO WERE RIDING WITH MY VISION. I WANTED TO STAY ON TOP OF THE TRENDS BUT DID NOT WANT TO DIG DEEPLY INTO SPINNING RAP AT THAT TIME.

I KNEW THAT MY SPINNING CARREER HAD MET A FORK IN THE ROAD.

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RAY "PINKY " VELAZQUEZ
theperfectbusiness.com

Pink Lady:

DJ Alan here. I had to quit spinning because I developed a pretty good corporate management career and I could no longer burn the candles at both ends like I used to do and I was making career type money in my day job so the night gigs had to end. I always had a full time day job while spinning 3-5 nights a week for 10 years but that lifestyle gets difficult to maintain. A big side factor was relocating several times for work. Thanks for asking.

Alan

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DJ Alan
Northern NJ DJ 1974-1983
Creation, Meadowbrook,
Soap Factory, Dimples,
Chicago, Dante's Inferno,
Club Bene, The Palace + Others

Retirement? I just stopped getting hired! LOL- Circumstances beyond my control, which, if you were quick enough, you read in full before I edited them out! Safety issues, getting BLACKBALLED, and physical injury were all contributing factors. As were family pressures. But After taking more then 11 years off, not coming near a turntable. This site has brought back the passion. Let's see where this street takes us now!

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"Join The Dark Side"
"I Talk The Talk and Walk The Walk!"
http://www.myspace.com/pete_denis

Hey Pete. I would very much like you to tell us a lil bit about your training with Jim Burgess.

My goodness he was a master at mixing disco.
A friend of mine used to go hear him play whenever he went to the States & I have heard a few sets that Jim recorded & his mixing was sublime to say the least.

I know how much those recorsds moved around back then & how difficult it is to pull off the perfect mix without the public hearing you tweak the vinyl.....but Jim had it goin' on as far as mixing ability/programming & track selection.

Not only his mixing but his remix work is exceptional as well. His remix of Candi Statons' "Victim" is what I call a flawless mix. This mix is perfect.

Did you only know him in the early 70s or did your friendship last until the late 80s?

I wish that I'd been able to meet him. He has been a hero of mine for so long.

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It's always been 'bout the music..........

I only knew Jim from his INFINITY Days, we talked everyday for about 2 years or so. I learned from watching him, from him explaining to me what he was doing or what he did. He was as close to perfection as a Deejay could be. But you know that a former roommate of his belongs to this site, but he stays in the background, doesn't post much, but you can PM your questions, he is JOHN CEGLIA. By the way, John mixes very similar to Jim. You want intimate details of Jim Burgess, ask John. I was limited to a professional relationship, JOHN was his personal friend.

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"Join The Dark Side"
"I Talk The Talk and Walk The Walk!"
http://www.myspace.com/pete_denis

I remember that in the 80's, Jimmy Burgess had his swan song down here in Miami at SALVATIONS. Barry Lederer installed the sound system, and I was hired to help. I saw and met Jim Burgess that day. A low key individual. Bigger and heavier then I expected. He sure could spin, I heard him as we tested the equipment. I will always remember that day!!

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DO THE RIGHT THING!

Hey Pete , people from Europe like me didn't have the chance to see the Nyc disco scene so anything about Jim Burgess and Infinity days is really great news.You' been there in these great disco days,can you tell us about the place ,the mixer of the club or do you have memories of a special live remix that Jim did?

With fool respect for your work - Dancer

Without a doubt the best mixer I ever heard. I saw him blend three songs at once for over five minutes, something very hard to do with the music of the 70's. The club was INFINITY, which was before 54, and so outrageous that the police would park nearby, always waiting for the call yo go in. The crowd was mostly gay, and in a sign of the times, sex was everywhere. But there were many straight guys there as well. send John Ceglia a PM if you really want stories about Jimmy, john was his roommate. Look up John on the members list, and from there you can send him a message. Welcome Griego!

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"Join The Dark Side"
"I Talk The Talk and Walk The Walk!"
http://www.myspace.com/pete_denis