Larry Levan

[mdpm99]

Larry Levan

Larry is revered primarily as the DJ and driving force of the famous gay disco Paradise Garage. With engineer Richard Long, he custom-designed the Garage's monster sound system and DJ booth, complete with audiophile Thorens turntables.
Larry's brilliance lay not only in his technical skill and audio expertise, but also in his unique and eclectic taste. He confounded and greatly broadened the "rules" of what "dance music" could be, mixing everything from gospel, reggae, Philly soul and Euro-disco to rock ("Stand Back"/Stevie Nicks and "Eminence Front"/The Who, to name but two), post-punk ("The Magnificent Seven"/The Clash, and Talking Heads), ambient/environmental music (Klaus Schulze and Manuel Gottsching, for example), and just about everything else. He augmented this aural collage with disorienting sound effects and mind-expanding audio manipulations, working the crossover and balance controls to throw sound around the room as if it had a will of its own. Larry was a shaman who opened a sonic Pandora's box when he Djed, with all kinds of beautiful, scary and indescribably bizarre sounds careening around the room like spirits flying out of the Ark of the Covenant.
Larry cut his musical teeth at The Loft, essentially the first underground dance party. Started by David Mancuso at the advent of the '70s, The Loft combined psychedelic culture with dance music, which then consisted of longform, psychedelic-influenced soul ("Melting Pot"/Booker T. & The MG's, "Papa Was a Rolling Stone"/The Temptations, etc.), jazz-funk like The Blackbyrds, funky rock ("Woman"/Barabas, for example) and trippy head music like Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon. When Paradise Garage opened in 1976, Larry added gospel-and R&B-flavored disco to his musical menu.
With Larry at the helm, the Garage embodied all that was beautiful about disco: glamour, unpretentiousness, excitement, hedonism, epiphany through music, black/white and gay/straight harmony, and the general concept of the dancefloor as family. Celebrities like Grace Jones, Keith Haring, Nile Rogers, Chaka Khan and Madonna hung out and danced the night away along with thousands more of Larry's dedicated flock.
As a remixer, Larry applied his inimitable touch to countless all-time club classics, including "Got My Mind Made Up"/Instant Funk, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"/Inner Life, "Can't Play Around"/Lace, "Heartbeat"/Taana Gardner, Gwen Guthrie's "Should Have Been You" and "Nothing Going On But The Rent" and many, many others. As a writer and producer, he helped create the sound of the innovative New York Citi Peech Boys and their seminal club hits "Don't Make Me Wait", "On A Journey", "Come On, Come On" and "Life Is Something Special", a joyous, mesmerizing celebration of life, love, and music. Larry's work has a spacious, epic, atmospheric quality, with a haunting blend of joy and pain.
After the Garage closed in 1987, Larry kept a considerably lower profile, doing guest spots at various clubs, including Studio 54, Palladium and Mars, and Djing regularly at The Choice, arguably the inheritor of the Garage's underground legacy. The Choice didn't have the grandeur of the Garage, but Larry made it his home, casting his psychedelic spell on a diverse crowd of devoted Garage heads and various other afterhours types. Although his remixing work (and, according to some, his spinning ability) diminished, there's no doubt that Larry, even on a bad night, was still infinitely more creative, interesting and unpredictable than any other jock around. It was that unpredictability that was the reason for many of his followers disenchantment by the mid-and-late '80's: it was also the reason that legions more literally lived to hear him play, or were inspired to make their own careers in music and the music business.
Larry's legacy is more than just a legendary nightclub and a fistful of club classics. Larry Levan was the ultimate DJ: he didn't just excel at his job, he reinvented the concept of the DJ, blurring the boundaries of music, race, sex, sexuality, and changing thousands of people's perception of music, sound and the world around them.



Born: 7-18-1954 Died: 11-8-1992 at the age of 38.

[Sharp Eye Washington]

graemlins/clap.gif graemlins/OLA.gif

[Jolyon]

My favourite bit of footage in the Maestro documentary was seeing LL dancing at the Garage wearing a cool pair of punky trousers.

[mdpm99]

Just some of the tunes in Larry's library:

Alicia Myers - I Want To Thank You (LP)

Gwen Guthrie - It Should Have Been You

Inner Life - Moment Of My Life

Jeffrey Osborne - New Love

Madonna - Everybody

Margie Joseph - Knockout

Mary Wells - Gigolo

Sylvester - Do Ya Wanna Funk

Rose Royce - Still In Love

Salsoul Orchestra - Love Break (Remix 12")

Sharon Redd - Beat The Street

Sharon Redd - In The Name Of Love (LP)

Tomorrow's Edition - You Turn Me On

D Train - Keep On

D Train - Walk On By

France Joli - Gonna Get Over You

Peech Boys - Don't Make Me Wait

Nancy Martin - Can't Believe

Amii Stewart - I'm Gonna Get Your Love

Willie Hutch - In And Out

Empress - Take A Risk

Salsoul Orchestra - Take Some Time Out For Love

Larry Graham - Sooner Or Later

Lace - Can't Play Around (Levan 12" Mix)

Terri Gonzalez - Treat Yourself To My Lofe

AM-FM - You Are The One

Whatnauts - Help Is On The Way

Junior - Mama Used To Say

Sharon Brown - I Specialize In Love

State Of Grace - That's When We'll Be Free

Tracy Weber - Sure Shot (2 different 12"s; one has a Instr. Version that

Larry played)

Odyssey - Inside Out

First Choice - Let No Man Put Asunder (Remix)

Komiko - Feel Alright

Vicky D - This Beat Is Mine

Yazoo - Situation

Paul Simpson Connection - Use Me, Lose Me

Feel - I'd Like To

B Beat Girls - For The Same Man

Shades Of Love - Keep In Touch (Body To Body)

B.T. Taylor - You Can't Have Your Cake (& Eat It Too)

Mahogany - Ride On The Rhythm

Fat Larry's Band - Act Like You Know

Fonda Rae - Over Like A Fat Rat

Secret Weapon - It Must Be The Music

Glass - Let Me Feel Your Heartbeat

Sparque - Music Turns Me On

Chas Jankel - Glad To Know You

Aurra - Checking You Out

Salsoul Orchestrat w/ Loleatta Holloway - Seconds

Grace Jones - Nipple To The Bottle

Richard J. Smith - Don't Go Walking Out That Door

Girls Can't Help It - Baby Doll

Linda Taylor - You And Me Just Started

Diana Ross - Work That Body (12" Version)

Carly Simon - Why

Dinosaur L - Go Bang

Funk Fusion Band - Can You Feel It

Was (Not Was) - Tell Me That I'm Dreaming

Thompson Twins - In The Name Of Love

Bo Kool - Love Money

Sinnamon - Thanks To You

Grace Jones - Feel Up (Levan Remix)

Michael Wycoff - Still Got The Magic (Sweet Delight)

Gino Soccio - It's Alright

Gino Soccio - You Move Me (LP)

Soul Sonic Force - Planet Rock

BBCS&A - Rock Shock

Goldie Alexander - Show You My Love

Laurice Hudson - Feel My Love

Klein & MBO - Dirty Talk

Weeks & Co. - Go With The Flow

Brass Construction - Can You See The Light (12" or LP)

The Quick - Rhythm Of The Jungle

Jamaica Girls - Rock The Beat

Wanda - I Must Be Dreamin'

Jammers - And You Know That

Carol Williams - Can't Get Away From Your Love

Marc Sadane - Exciting

Karen Young - Detour

Gunchback Boogie Band - Funn

Satin & Green - Spectacular

Ritchie Family - I'll Do My Best For You

Ritchie Family - Alright On The Night (LP)

Michelle Wallace - It's Right

Sweet Pea Atkinson - Dance Or Die

Frida - I Know There's Something Goin' On

Michelle Wallace - Jazzy Rhythm

Raw Sex - Stop The War

Carol Hahn - Do Your Best

Slimline - If You Can Dance, You Can Do It

Rock Candy - I Got Love

Sly Cabell - Feelin' Fine

Steve Miller Band - Macho City (12" Vers.)

T.C. Curtis - Body Shake (Instr. 12" Version)

Montana Sextet - Heavy Vibes

Strikers - Contagious

Feel - Let's Rock Over & Over Again

Cheri - Star Struck

Columbus Circle - If You Read My Mind

C-Brand - Wired For Games

Change - The Very Best In You

Roundtree - Hit On You

Goody Goody - Let Me Work On You

Q - The Voice Of Q

Peter Godwin - Emotional Disguise

Second Image - Can't Keep Holding On

Rod - Just Keep On Walking

Yaz - Don't Go

Level 3 - Central Line

Blancmanage - Feel Me

Soft Cell - Tainted Love

Atlantis - Keep On Movin' & Groovin'

Deodato - Keep It In The Family (LP)

Deodato - Keep On Movin'

Klein & MBO - Wonderful

Revelation - Holdin' On

Jimmy Cliff - Peace Officer (Dub 12" Version)

Coffee - Purpose (LP)

Denroy Morgan - Happy Feeling

Touchdown - Ease Your Mind

Man Parrish - Hip Hop, Be Bop (Don't Stop)

Mike Anthony - Why Can't We Live Together

Donald Fagen - New Frontier

Ministry - Work For Love

Cookie - You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover

Lemelle - You Got Something Special

Dianne Marie - I've Waited Much Too Long

Tin Tin - Kiss Me

Matrix - Stay, I Need Your Love

Conversion - Sweet Thing

The Who - Eminence Front

Toney Lee - Reach Up

Rockers Revenge - Walking On Sunshine

Funkapolitan - As Time Goes By

Planet Patrol - Play At Your Own Risk

[ March 06, 2003, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: david mancuso ]

[Sharp Eye Washington]

I remember Larry playing a saxophone version of Alicia Myer's "I want to thank you". I only heard it that one time. I'm sure it was a Larry Levan special. His version of New Birth's Deeper is awesome.

[Ron la Rock]

and with this list mofos/djs in NYC kill me with
the 101 classics (same 30 recs)

feel the diversity people!
AR15firing.gif

[djdub63]

Originally posted by Ron paizley:
and with this list mofos/djs in NYC kill me with
the 101 classics (same 30 recs)

feel the diversity people!
AR15firing.gif http://calvarychapel.com/fredericktown/riot/images/preach.jpg
Preach On!

[Raven Fox]

<a href="http://www.ravenfox.net/realserver/larryhigh.ram" target="_blank"> http://ravenfox.net/larrylink.jpg
Pioneers of Music - Larry Levan - BBC Radio</a>

if you haven't heard this...
listen now! (http://www.ravenfox.net/realserver/larryhigh.ram)

[djdub63]

forgive me David for not thanking you on my previous post. Once again you enlighten the masses!

Thank You

[Maria]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by david mancuso:

changing thousands of people's perception of music, sound and the world around them.

This is what it all means to me smile.gif

Thanks David.

[JD]

For me it's got to be Seventh Heaven by Gwen Guthrie , pure magic. It reminds me why I love Music so much.

[TAD]

Originally posted by david mancuso:


Lemelle - You Got Something Special

this is an obscure Larry Levan mix.

nice list David. Stop The War-Raw Sex is a cut.

[JD]

speaking of larry,what's that first tune on that live mic mix at Gold,Tokyo in the mix archives?

[D.J.T.]

Well chosen/timed post Monsieur Mancuso as always...one thing I have longed to hear (or even read) is an actual interview with Larry...anyone got any source of any kind?

[mattymatt]

in defense of the same 30 classics, some of these songs are hard to find (ahem), and most of the time (at least when i'm playin out) peeps want to hear the same 30 classics.
just being devil's advocate.
my favorite moments out have been hearing an old record that i never heard before and it becomes my new favorite song. I'm the guy running up to the old school head who is singing all the words, and asking them what's playing. graemlins/grinyes.gif

[Dj Alex]

Thanks David ,

Warm words indeed it seemed Larry played a good piece of music whatever it's genre and pushed the musical boundries at all times . This is a very important to note for me anyway .

R.I.P Mr Levan .

Peace Alex :D ;)

[Mah'chew]

Thanks David, it seems that people were really blessed to have had Larry conducting their music for the night. Not just the music either, but the whole expereince.

I never heard him play, missed him at the Ministry in 91, but feel that this list is still only a snap-shot of what he was about.

Alex, you're right, the diversity is staggering and should be cherished in his name. We all owe it to keep this true today and keep pushing, no demolishing, boundaries :D

[ March 06, 2003, 09:01 PM: Message edited by: Mathius ]

[simon b]

I'm sure hearing Larry work The Jammers "And You Know That" on that monster system must have been something!

Thanks again David for the first hand knowledge.

[jsd540]

Originally posted by Ron paizley:
and with this list mofos/djs in NYC kill me with
the 101 classics (same 30 recs)

feel the diversity people!
AR15firing.gif Fo reeeelll...

[House]

as much as larry is revered, i personally don't think we would see his likes today...as i sometimes note, djs such as he and yourself, David,and other cats from days gone by, played music-all genres of music...todays dj is stuck in the rut of the same ole music that is disgorged by the record store of the moment (which of course,all the hip dj's go to, like lemmings)...even worse its all the same ole 4 on the floor "house" drivel - i long to hear a rock record or a jazz recording (and i'm sorry but "conquistadores...." or "expansions" aint cutting it, with all the new jazz out there just waiting to be played) or some techno or progressive or hiphop - hell i wanna hear it all!

but i don't

so i stay away and only venture out sometimes now - and get dissappointed

jmo

[House]

Originally posted by your idol, Buddy Love:
as much as larry is revered, i personally don't think we would see his likes today...as i sometimes note, djs such as he and yourself, David,and other cats from days gone by, played music-all genres of music...todays dj is stuck in the rut of the same ole music that is disgorged by the record store of the moment (which of course,all the hip dj's go to, like lemmings)...even worse its all the same ole 4 on the floor "house" drivel - i long to hear a rock record or a jazz recording (and i'm sorry but "conquistadores...." or "expansions" aint cutting it, with all the new jazz out there just waiting to be played) or some techno or progressive or hiphop - hell i wanna hear it all!

but i don't

so i stay away and only venture out sometimes now - and get dissappointed

jmosome examples:
bjork
beck
stones (yeah, they've made other stuff since miss you)
missy elliot
notrious b.i.g.
down to the bone
nusrat fatah ali khan
jeffrey osborne and the rippingtons
theivery corporation
madonna(suddenly she's a dirty word amongst all the so called hipsters - larry supported her from the gitty up - her recent with dirty vegas was dope)
daniel beddingfeild

i'm not saying larry woulda played these artists but given his track record who knows

why have y'all forsaken us

i'm so ****ing bored

[JMNYC]

All the different styles of music have been splintered off into their own separate scenes and parties. Hence, you won't hear any of that stuff at the few parties you go to.

I was just speaking about this with Jerel Black last night. We were talking about parties like Garage, Jackie 60, Mars ... where punk, rock, house, new wave, reggae, jazz, glam, and whatever was deemed appropriate or "good" music were all played.

Now everybody into house tries to "out deep" each other... it's all about perfect blends and seamless beats - so if you want to hear non-house, ya gotta go to a non-house party. They are out there. U just gotta look.

There are very few - if any - places where you can still get it all in one night.

[alex zen]

great post. btw the clash and the talking heads aren't post punk, they are punk.

[Martin Red]

smile.gif

[ March 07, 2003, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: Martin Red ]

[AD]

David,

Great post my man!

Thank you,

AD smokin.gif

[ramar]

thanks David!

RIP Larry Levan

as a side note, when it comes to diversity, there is no aknowledgement of the potency of breadth and vision in today's clubs (in London which is where I know). Business favours mono-dimensional music & experience for customers.

if inspired kaleidoscopic sounds of many musics were available at dance clubs there would be a culture within/from which more greatly inspired DJs would rise.

graemlins/all_coholic.gif ...RMR

[herb martin]

Peace & Blessing David,

Great Post, You touch upon some very profound points in terms of the way Larry defined the cutting edge in terms of being both creative and adventurous. This applied not only to the music he played, but the way he played it. He provided quite an education for many. For me, it is education that I will always treasure.

Also, Thank you David for providing Larry with one of his early but probably most important classrooms.

Peace & Music
Herb graemlins/cool_shades.gif

[ March 07, 2003, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: Herb Martin ]

[mdpm99]

Dear Folks:

Thank you all for your informative, interesting and kind responses. But most of all for showing your respects for Larry.

As I have indicated before that it was "him" that made the Garage party, along with the loving people, and the music.

RIP our friend. We will join you once again on that "big dance floor in the sky."

With respect and gratitude,

David

[Martin Red]

http://www.purepleasuremusic.com/BioDisco-graphy/images/LarryLevan.jpg

[rexdale brawler]

Speaking of Rolling Stones I'd like to see someone mix, or remix Continental Drift.
Could be a sick track with thoses Moroccan drums.
Also the Dr. Dre 'Miss You' is a safe mix too.

[Lincoln]

Originally posted by david mancuso:

Inner Life - Moment Of My Life
Shep Pettibone Mix on Salsoul graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[julian_kelly]

Did Larry Levan ever play any hip hop?

If so, what tunes.

peace
julian kelly