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Disco Music > Discotheques and Clubs Index > Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus
New York City
Euro style club that one member wrote in to say; "They stopped making clubs like this one a long time ago."
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COMMENTS ON THIS DISCO / DISCOTHEQUE / NIGHTCLUB
I was a dj there in the mid seventies.
I t was hot like studio 54 became. The famous manager was called Olivier. However the club was somewhat "soprano" controlled. Many a time when I played a record, it was to be played right then or I was in hot water(or the river). Regardless the club was great and well done. I met many important entertainment people there
Barry
approx. 1974-76 my first time in any nyc club. man i was blown away by the scene & music - barry white, war, bt. express, isley bros. etc. i made some wild friends there, a little older then me i might add and the party played on. celebs always popped in & out example (tom jone's) a regular there, i also remember oliviers dogs. expensive memory- thanks.
I enjoyed one memorable evening when I was twenty one at Hippopatamus. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner and a spectacular night club show which included a real motorcycle on stage with the singers and Las Vegas style dancers. I remember the evening well because I had brought a $100 bill to pay for my date which in those days usually was enough. Well the price-fixe check arrived at $90.00. Although I felt that the $10.00 tip was certainly inadequate (as I am sure the waiter would agree) it was all I had so I left it and we walked to the Ice Palace where I was always welcome with my guests without charge as an employee privilege. Though the Hippopotamus was a truly elegant club that was reminicent of the Copa Cabana it was great to get to the Ice Palace where Jimmy always took care of his boys and their girls like family!
The Hippopatamus was truly a class act. I went there for dinner and was impressed with the way the evening unfolded. The music and system was excellent. The light show was used sparingly and nothing was predictable about the place. It was the last of the elegant upscale club restaurants.
I lived in NY in the mid 70s and spent many a memorable night at the Hippopotamus. Can anyone tell me the address? I'm planning a trip to NY this summer and would love to drive by and look at the building, but I don't remember where it was (remember . . . it was the 70s!)
Thanx!
I and another dj from Pittsburgh visited this club during the earlier Billboard convention days and we were impressed by the great dj, Mandy Pappileo. The cuts were mostly quick. The track selections were great. Mandy was polite and considerate to us out-of-towners and showed us the controls. The room was uptairs and light effects utilized small wall fixtures for beat accent.
Hi, This is barry.
I played at the club for 2 years during the week.
I was hired by Richie P. who was the main DJ for 2 years.
I never met Mandy, but he was very good.
As for the location, I believe it was in the east 50's off of first Avenue.
I can check the exact address later.
Barry
This was one of my first jobs, another MOB run club that featured the first coke whores I ever met. Prior to my days at the COPACABANA, this was my first gig, in 1972.
Hi vyniljunkie, Do you have an address or location for the Hippopotamus - where it used to be? Thanx!
if I remember, it was on Lexington avenue and 57th street, but you are talking about thirty-five years ago. It has been gone for at least twenty years. Try to locate Ritchie Pappapnella who is now a travel agent in Brooklyn some where. Hope that helped you out airsick.
Thanx, vyniljunkie. You're "thirty-five years ago" memory is much better than mine! I spent some time there in the mid-70s and would love to check out the building (walk down memory lane) sometime. Airsick
maybe I did less drugs then you did!! It was in the middle of the block, and Ritchie P was the main DeeJay. His brother Joey owned a Pizzeria in Flatbush and in Miami called FLORA'S. and if you look for it, there used to be an album that featured the early deejays of that period on the back cover, including HIPPOPOTAMUS. If I can recall, the album was something like "Cuban-Afro blues" with pictures of the hot New York clubs and their deejays on the back. Clubs included The Red Parrot, Sensations, Reflections , 2001 Odessy, and The Copacabana. Good luck, but these clubs are all history and memories now.
HI
Guys
I was one of the dj's at Hippo
I was a great friend of Richie. he is still a travel agent, but in Manhattan
If you contact me I will give you his number
I don't believe Hippo was at the that address, but I will check it out
And yes it was very mafia controlled
Will tell you more sometime
Barry Lederer
Thanx, Barry, I'd love it if you could get the exact address. I had some really great times there and am sorry I can't remember where it was. One of those places I'd love to see again.
Airsick
Hi airsick
I am sure it was further over on the eastside, but I can be wrong. Amazingly, I worked there for a couple of years and I should know
My email BTW is
barry254@msn.com
Will find out the info soon
Barry
that album was called AFRO-CUBAN BLUES BAND AND IT WAS RELEASED IN 1975
Hi Guys, And especially airsick and vyniljunkie.
Well I just spoke to Richie P. and he told me what you want to know
Prior to 1972, Hippo was located at 54th and Lex. After '72 they moved to its permanent address 405 East 62nd Street(near 1st)
Richard also said that if you want to contact him, it would be okay as he would like to hear from the guys from way back then
His email is soca.junkie@verizon.net
So problem solved. Keep in touch, my email is above
Barry Lederer
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Believe it or not that last post was done and sent by my three year old daughter. Sorry about that. She really doesn't know what she was talking about. See I was almost right, it was 54th and Lexington, not 57th. I will be sending Ritchie an email soon after I get off here. Thank you Barry it was nice of you to provide us with his email. Now can you or anyone tell me What the FIRST DISCO SONG was. Also who was the first DISCO band, and the very first DISCO period. Now I am talking about actual DISCO, not R&B or soul that was played prior to the term DISCO coming into existence. I used to think it was WAR'S SPILL THE WINE, now I am looking at CURTIS MAYFIELD'S SUPERFLY and FREDDIE'S DEAD as the first DISCO songs. There was no DISCO before them There was DISCO afterwards. Am I wrong?? Let me know your opinion. Thanks.
Hi
very good question and a lot of different answers
Many people think the following songs might be it:Rock The Boat/Love Train/Love's Theme/Shaft/Soul Makossa
Disco started in 1972 or so as I was there playing records then. Do a google on my name and you will find out my background.
Where are you located?
If you want we can talk on the phone sometime
My email is above
Barry Lederer
Barry, vyniljunkie and everyone that responded to my post . . . Thank you so much for the info, and especially the address, of the Hippo. Just talking about it brough back such fun memories of "lost youth" . . . *sigh. I can't wait to walk past the building and see if it brings back any more memories. Thanks again for your help! Airsick
Hi Airsick,
My pleasure. I actually spoke to vyniljunkie yesterday and he and I had a great conversation of the good old days
Also Ritchie P. says hello to everyone and says thanks for all your nice comments about his music. He told me that he was the DJ there from 1972-79.
Keep those records spinning
Barry Lederer
Hello everyone,
I am in a very good mood today, spoke To man man Barry yesterday, That was fun,we are trying to figure out what the first DISCO song was, he gave me a lot of candidates,soon we will figure it out. Started communication with some others as well. How about HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES as the first DISCO band?? They played HIPPOPOTAMUS doing those times, didn't they BARRY?? Check out what I wrote about Barry White here in DISCOMUSIC.COM I think it tells it like it is. VYNIL JUNKIE, out.
hi guy
I don't think it was them
could have been any group on TK
Will give it some thought
Barry
SHARE YOUR Hippopotamus KNOWLEDGE | MEMORIES
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