Artur, the Lion Cub of the Balearic Breakfast Blog, invited me to share my memories of Larry Levan and The Paradise Garage. I’ve included an excerpt from the interview here. To read the full conversation, just click on the Larry Levan button below.
Nick Jones: Remembering Larry…
In the shadow of every great DJ you’ll find a light of inspiration shining from up above… I asked Nick Jones, webmaster of the website dedicated to the Paradise Garage, to share his memories about Larry Levan… Don’t be shy, enter the Paradise Garage…
1) Hello Nick! It’s an absolute honor having you on the Balearic Breakfast blog! This year, we’re celebrating what would have been Larry’s 70th Birthday (with Colleen paying tribute to the iconic DJ during Balearic Breakfast’s 184th episode). If I’m not mistaken, you met Larry during your formative years, working as a light manager. Could you take us back to those years and how it felt to meet Larry?
Nick Jones – I only knew Larry Levan professionally; we weren’t friends or colleagues. He was a customer at a record store where I worked, and I also did lights for him at Lovelite (as mentioned in my blog). Additionally, we worked together at our NYC party called Wild Pitch.
From 1982 until its closing in 1987, I was a devoted member of Paradise Garage. In 1985, I started working at a music store called Hi-Tech Music, owned by Studio 54’s DJ Leroy Washington. Leroy, a good friend of Larry’s, often visited him at the Garage after Studio 54 closed for the night. One evening, Leroy introduced me to Larry in his booth at the Garage, knowing I was a big fan.
Larry frequently visited Hi-Tech for music, and of course, he never had to pay for anything. He was part of a very select group of DJs who received music for free. It made good business sense because these DJs moved units, not just a handful of records.
I recall one particular visit when the store was bustling with customers. Every record I played for Larry that he liked was also purchased by everyone else in the store. Larry was a pre-internet influencer!
GREETINGS MY BROTHER AND FRIEND! HOPE ALL IS WELL ! ENJOY LIFE PEACE ALWAYS BASIL
Basil, my old buddy, thank you for checking out my website. We had some fantastic times at 68 Bleecker Street, discovering and sharing amazing music. I hope all is well, my friend—respect to you, my brother.
This is a great piece on many levels,it directly hits to the very heart of what it was like in those days,going to the record store was paramount,not only for purchasing purposes,but for networking,establishing business relationships,and friendships,that i still have until this day,for me there was nothing like talking music,exchanging information and ideas were invaluable,worth much more than the money i spent on buying tracks,i actually had a routine,every Saturday Afternoon after leaving the GARAGE,I would make my way to vinylmania,to hopefully buy some of the music,Larry was playing, Manny,always either had the track,or had the information on the release date,half of the club,would be@ vinyl,speaking on what Larry was spinning,kicking it with the likes of regular folks,who just love music,to
Djs,producers,collectors,radio personalities,record store & club owners,etc,those interactions were priceless,it was the,SOCIAL MEDIA-internet of the time,hard work,communicating,inspiration,determination was key,along with the study,one’s craft,was the love affair,the harmony was the music and the Dance,that produced the Love….Levan was a different type Dj,he wasn’t going wow you,with the mix,Larry was a DJ,that knew how to walk down the Dancefloor,with timing,that Richard Long Design,lighting,his Remixes,his overall knowledge and command of the flow,Like when he would play CITY COUNTRY,CITY..BY WAR,he would totally losing his dam mind,in the booth,working the hell out of that Richard Long Crossover,diving the club into a frenzy like state,especially after 8am,by then,he’s cleared out all the suckers,as the members,used to say,at that point the professionals,would take over,and elevate the party,that’s when you would hear,Boo Kool LOVE MONEY,Georgio Moroder’s BATTLESTAR GALACTICA,the energy would take you,until the next week,until it was Showtime again,the was the magic of LEVAN,you knew next week was going to be another episode,he was the Black Liberace of Club Music,playing endlessly tunes 12 hours@a time….
Thank you for taking the time to read the article and for your insightful response! Record stores were more than just places to buy music. They were vibrant hubs of community, where DJs, music execs promoting their latest tracks, club kids, and everyday music lovers all came together for one shared passion: music. And you’re absolutely right — some lifelong friendships were born in these weekly gatherings.
After leaving the Paradise Garage, many first stopped at Vinyl Mania. Sometimes, they would venture further down Bleecker Street to our sanctuary at 68 Bleecker, where the after-parties continued at Hi-Tech! Larry Levan’s music was more than just a mix. It was a conduit for raw emotions, a way of speaking to you without words. He touched so many lives through his music.
I remember bringing my uncle, a huge Temptations fan, to the Garage three times. And Larry played a Temptations song each time — as if he knew. My uncle was, and still is, a devoted fan of Larry. One of my favorite memories is how Larry would drop City, Country, City right from the horn solo — that moment was pure magic, and it would come alive on that massive sound system.
I often reminisce about those days. It was a transformative time, an era that could never be recreated.
Thanks again, Martin. I truly appreciate you visiting my blog and sharing your thoughtful comments.
Sending you warm hugs! Hope you’ll come back to instagram soon!! Fluffy hugs from the lioncub!! Artur
Hello, my friend! I’m taking a social media break; it’s too exhausting to view so much hate, violence, and negativity. It takes its toll on our souls. I’ll be back; I just needed to unplug for a bit!