Chez Paree

hi jerome and mike p, i think you guys should remmeber me. paul from south philly. i had the stuff that kept us up all night and dayz.. lol. i would like to talk to jerome, mike and hooker, i came up to trenten a few times and hung out with you guys, also me and buckeye would leave the chez and drive to nw york and went to the fun house, the garage and a few other clubs . here is my email paul153528@comcast.net i hope to here from you guys.. also i dj with buckeye

There was a big neon sign of a robot-looking thing (coolest sign EVER) that overlooked the dancefloor back in the 80's - it was later moved upstairs after one of the Taittinger/DejaVu remodels. Does anybody know what the significance of that sign was? Where did it come from? What was the robot? Is there a story to this thing? The robot used to appear as a logo in the ads for the Chez in Whoot, etc. I did a poster-size drawing off of one of the ads back in the early 80's and still have it.

The Chez will always be remembered for the best music and some of the best party night of my life, unbelievable.

I oved the Chez & the Saratoga. Met many a nights there after Gatsby's in Cherry Hill.

A shout out to my former co-worker at Key West (1982-1985), Adelle Landini!

Thanks Jerome.

They're no on Itunes unfortunately. I'll have to check some old record stores or something but would love to have them digitally.

This post is an effort to help Ken with his post regarding two songs. The first song you are asking about is Minefield by I Level. I think the second song your after is Can You Move by Modern Romance. Each one of these songs were on Buckeye, Mike Polveri and my play list at the Chez in the early 80's. I hope this helps.

summer of 78 with a fake id , 15o years old,my parents had a house in ventnor,some old heads( garry,chetly,jimmy bruno)moved in up the street and turned me on to the chez,would stay in there till 8 9 10 am,i remember buckeye bieng there his girl sue larracca lived up the next block,lost my virginity to a schoolteacher who was 30 ,doing ludes and 2.00 tanqeray and tonics,smoking joints with hash oil on them.also remember roe foti manager she signed my membership and i never paid or waited to get in.this was discos finest hour

We used to head to the Chez after Philly clubs closed or after the Sundance closed in Wildwood back in the day.
Two songs that I've never heard anywhere else and would love to be able to find are Dancin' in the Minefield and Latin Groove.
Anyone know where to find those songs? I've searched online everywhere.

I saw a post by Reenie Kane - - you were ALWAYS great to listen to, I met you through Frankie Lembo, I wonder if you or anyone would know how to reach him????

I used to love hanging out at the Chez in the booth with Charlie and Mike!!! I worked with both of them in Philly at Glitters on South Street I did lights with Mike Polveri on Thursday night he always got his new product on Thursdays so we listened to new stuff early... Mike also worked Pepe's in Pennsauken, NJ we did a duet on the mike one night I had it on tape, (we sounded terrible), until I lost it in a house fire along with 277 other club mix tapes even from Studio 54...
Charlie "BUCKEYE" as all his tapes said - I did not know of his passing until 20 minutes ago... But Charlie, we worked together Fridays at Glitters (he left early to go to "The Chez")He was a brillant man, many didn't know he was an inventor - - Also as a Billboard Reporter Charlie got stuff a lot of DJ's didn't and some of it he put to use!!! One of the things I used to like to watch was other DJ's that came in they would ALWAYS stand just off the dance floor with their mouths hanging wide open when Charlie let loose on all 3 turntables. Dumbfounded and Amazed!!!!

It was startling to see a pic of Billy Hooker. I was a girlfriend of his. There were many nights I sat up in the booth with him at the Widow's Watch in Trenton, New Jersey.

I have a bunch of mix tapes from Buckeye as well as guest appearance by Robbie Tronco from the late 80's from the Chez.Awesome memories I wish I had a time machine!Some of the best times of my life can still feel the bass reverberate through my chest!

Wow! I am so happy that I stumbled on to this site. I use to party at the Chez when I was quite young, my oldest sister use to get us in. My last name is Visser now, but it was Ross back then. My sister Denise use to take us there and I really never remember a time when I stopped dancing except to get a drink or go to the bathroom. My sister died in the 70's she was a go go dancer and we had a really big benifit for her. I have to ask do you remember the name or does anyone remember the name of the bar across the steet from the Chez? I want to tell you how much I love the pictures the cab driver priceless, it was by far the best time for me, I was trying to get away from so many things and that was the place to let it all go. Thanks for having this site.

the chez was an in place even in the 30's soffie tucker started at the chez. tony LRosa owned and operated it for years even as it transferred from the fine acts upstairs to the closing of the shows and stage upstairs to downstairs it was always packed. when it became a gay bar the chez still kept rocking and continued into the next transition. local bands used to play in the 60's honorable mention to Paul Hasson & the playmates. I met my wife of almost 40 years at the chez she passed on as did tony LArosa. I still love and miss them both. tony treated me like a son. I have not entered the chez since my return to A.C. to many memories. The Chez will live forever somethings are destined too.

THE CHEZ PAREE....I REMEMBER IT WELL...IN 1974 I USED TO PARTY THERE WHEN IT WAS GAY IN THE SUMMER AND BLACK IN THE WINTER...I HAD A GREAT SUMMER THAT YEAR....WENT BACK TO S. PHILLY IN SEPT. ...WENT TO A CLUB IN SO. PHILLY...R.A.R.ON BROAD ST. GOT TO KNOW THE DJ...NEXT THING I KNEW...I WAS THE DJ...OFF THE DANCE FLOOR INTO THE BOOTH....JUST LIKE THAT....OF COURSE THAT WAS THE LUCKEST DAY OF MY LIFE...2009...I STILL SPIN WEEKLY...STILL LOVING IT...THAT SEPT. IN 74' CLIFF SHUTE USED TO BRING A TRUCK LOAD TO THE R.A.R. FOR $5 OPEN BAR EVERY THURSDAY...HE ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO SPIN AT THE CHEZ THE FOLLOWING SUMMER..OF COURSE...THIS IS GREAT...I GET TO GO TO THE CLUBS..ONLY NOW I DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING..I NOW GET PAID TO PLAY GREAT MUSIC AND HAVE MORE FUN THAN EVER...I SPENT ALOT OF YEARS WITH CLIFF AT THE CHEZ AND THE DCA CLUB IN PHILLY THAT HE ALSO OWNED...THE CHEZ WILL ALWAYS BE A VERY SPECIAL PART OF MY LIFE...1978...REMODELED...REVED UP FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE "DISCO ERA" THE BEST MUSIC EVER ...NO WORDS CAN EXPLAIN THE FEELING EVERYONE WHO WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE THERE FELT...IF YOU MISSED IT....SORRY.....NOW..."CHARLIE BUCKEYE" I KNEW CHARLIE FOR A FEW YEARS BEFORE WE WORKED TOGETHER AT THE CHEZ. WHAT A MAN..HE HAD A BIG HEART, HE ENCOURAGED ME TO KEEP SPINNING WHEN NO OTHER WOMAN WERE REALLY DJ'ING IN THE AREA YET. WHEN I HAD A GIG WITH THE POCONO RECORD POOL HE WAS THERE WITH ME..HE KNEW THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME MOST OF THE DJ'S WERE GOING TO HEAR ME...I WAS VERY NERVOUS...THERE WERE A FEW DJ'S IN FRONT OF THE BOOTH BITCHING..."WHAT'S THAT GIRL DOING IN THE BOOTH...GIRLS CAN'T SPIN" CHARLIE WENT OUT TOLD THEM TO LISTEN THEN DECIDE...HE WAS ALWAYS THERE WHEN YOU NEEDED HIM....I AM PROUD TO SAY CHARLIE WAS MY FRIEND...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FUNDRAISING CONTACTS

Dan Contarino : 215-681-1718
Tre Rios : 267-455-7003
Adele Landini : 215-463-4743

“FUNDRAISER FOR PHILADELPHIA’S DJ REENIE KANE”
VOYEUR NIGHTCLUB (FORMER 2-4/PURE NIGHTCLUB)
MONDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2009 : 8PM – 12AM

DJ Reenie Kane, well know in the music industry locally & nationally, suffered a major heart attack following her DJ set from Philly’s Annual Indigo Ball Fundraiser Friday, October 9th. In addition to her condition when admitted to Methodist Hospital she was also diagnosed with a bad strain of pneumonia, on top of her current diabetes condition she’s been battling the past few years. Due to the combined conditions, a typical bypass surgery could not be performed. During that weekend she was transported to Jefferson Hospital ICU for “Phase One” of a series of surgeries. Her Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) caused her first “Cardiac Catherization with Stent” surgery that was successful. Within the next few months after recovering from “Phase One”, Reenie currently needs to begin “Heart Rehab Outpatient” sessions, in which unfortunately her insurance will not cover. This is imperative for Reenie to continue recovery for the next two coming surgeries. We’re asking for the community’s help to financially assist in her recovery.

Spinning for well over 30 years, DJ Reenie Kane has helped shape what we know now as gay nightlife. An out lesbian with a partner (the beautiful and widely-loved Adele) of just as many years, Reenie has been making both gay and straight people dance with an eclectic mix and a music catalog that rivals just about anyone in the world. Having been a Billboard Dance Music Reporter for years, Reenie has helped define what the rest of the world is hearing in nightclubs, and has also been afforded the opportunity to spin some of the hottest new tracks before the rest of the world has the chance to hear them. Her repertoire ranges from progressive/circuit house music to disco classics and well beyond, and she is one of the most humble, friendly DJs that a club-goer or fellow DJ strives to be. She has tremendously been involved in fundraisers for local charities & friends in need through the years, which is part of her own character

Multiple Guest DJ’s locally & nationally are set to spin, including raffles, food & drink specials during the night, donated from various groups. Doors Open 8pm – 12am & $10.00 Minimum Donation Required.

Voyeur Nightclub is located @ 1221 St. James Street.

great site. i thought i was getting old and feeling nostalgic. i am from south africa and has been thinking a lot about back in the day - 1980's .that was a great time- great music and wonderful clubs we had here. i feel the same about that era as you guys.
peace greg SA

I remember the Chez, it used to stay open until 10:00AM!! It's been a long time, but I remember some of the names mentioned here, like Jerome Martucci, and Billy Hooker. I used to go to Widow's back in the day...

omg i just found this site and reading all the stories brought back memories, i remember the old new york ave. grewing up in A.C. the chez was a great club loved hanging out there.
i first met Reenie Kane in philly at the 12th air command loved her mixes
would love to get in contact with her to let her know what a great influence she was to me :-)

I knew Charlie pretty well.He worked for my father at his disco in AC,Mr.M's.It was on South Carolina & Boardwalk,just a few blocks from the Chez.I learned from Charlie how to dj.He was a great teacher,mentor,and a great guy.I am very saddened to hear that he passed away.God bless,Charlie.

Hi Mike M!
That would be "Reenie Kane" the "First Lady of the Turntable" - a good friend of mine - we have had her at Both Chez Reunions and she WILL be there on April 26th at 6:00PM - so if you want to see some old friends and hear some great music that takes you back in time....come on down.
Jeanne

The Chez was the best dance club of its time! I hung out there just about every weekend in the late 70's and danced the nights away. The Halloween costume parties were unbelievable! Does anyone remember the 1st anniversary party in the summer of 79? Invitation only, flood lights in the sky and the hottest live acts around - an awesome night! This was before Bucci was there - they had a female DJ - Renie was her name, I think. She was outstanding. A great place and GREAT times!! I really miss those days!

OK Folks...we are ready to do it again! 2nd Annual "Meet Me at the Chez Paree" Reunion to benefit the South Jersey AIDS Alliance.
Where: Deja' Vu (former Chez Paree)
New York Ave & The Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
When: Sunday, April 26, 2009
6:00PM til...
$20.00 at the door to benefit South Jersey AIDS Alliance (609-347-1085) Parking across the street
Last Years Event was a Blast from the Past! Don't Miss it!

We are planning another South Jersey AIDS Alliance fundraiser "Chez Reunion" / "Halloween Bash" on October 26th at 6PM to be held at the former home of "The Chez" now Deja Vu, New York Ave & the Boardwalk in AC. Check out the pictures from the "Chez Reunion" that was held in March on www.southjerseyaidsalliance.org (Click on fundraising events, then on picture Gallery) Great Music by DJ Reenie Kane, Great Time, Great Memories! AND we raised over $15,000 Check out the pics- I'm sure you will see some familiar faces! If you want to be included in the "Chez Reunion List" please e-mail me directly at jeannechiaradio@comcast.net

Never can be replaced,it was THE BEST of its kind,went there all of the 80's we where VIP Card members back then.I just heard that the Studio is going to move there is it true?WOW that will be GREAT!! The answer to someone wanting music .I have a Buckeye Tape from the last New Years he played there,and sorry to say i use to have all of the Chez'S New Years tapes but somebody out there never gave them back to me,she was a Manicurist in the 90s around town.I think it can be really great again,you know our generation put there we need it back somewhere to really DANCE!!!

Yeah, see if you can find "Watch the closing doors" by I.R.T.

Would any one have a list of the hot songs that wer played at the club. I would like to make a playlist and share it with the other members of this board

I don't deny that there was a lot of fun here. It had a lot of loyal patrons and friends. But come down to earth will you. It was a great DIVE of a club. Nothing fancy, nothing out-of-the ordinary. Other then you guys, the loyal fans of the place. I applaud you all. But be real, CHARLIE BUCKEYE left a lot to be desired as a DJ, so never mind "King Of The DJS". If he was so good, such a KING? Why wasn't he in Philly or New York? I am not sure if it was Charlie. The deejay there had old music, and everytime I was there in the 70's, the DJ sucked! I HOPE that wasn't CHARLIE.But regardless of the Deejay, this place was a great time!! Always.

Charlie Buckeye is and will be the KING of DJS forevah The Chez rocked alot of memories in that place in at dark out at light remember Hulo hustlin hangin with Charlie in the booth the VIP CARD still have mine. Does anybody have any tapes I will pay wish I had all the ones I bought back then. RIP Charlie Buci

OMG,can't believe I found this website, trying to load songs on my ipod and thinking back to the best tunes ever spun and remembered the Chez! Every weekend, we'd drive down there and party our asses off, it's a wonder most of us survived. I've never danced so much since then and sure wish I could take a trip back. I would have gone to the reunion for those memories! RIP Buckeye, still hanging onto some of your cassettes (warped sounds and all).

"Meet Me at the Chez Paree" Reunion, March 30th, 2008 pictures at www.southjerseyaidsalliance.org (not.com-sorry)Hopefully this will be an annual event so stay tuned...
Jeanne

My friend (DJ) Anthony Bradly (form Trenton) told me about this web site, and after hearing about it, well here I am! I was one of the DJ's in the rotation at the Chez and Saratoga in 1982, 1983 and 1984. Me (Jerome Martucci), Buckeye and Mike Polveri and of course light man Sick Nick. It was one of the best times of my life. One quick story about just how many people partied there. One New Years Eve(in 82 or 83) me and Buckeye had a 5 gallon bucket filled with Chez buttons (a 2 inch round button that you would pin on your shirt). Just for laughs, during the night we threw them out in the croud, (there had to be 700 to 800 of them in the bucket). when the party ended about 11:30AM the next morning and the club was empty, me and Buckeye tried to see how many buttons we would find on the dance floor. All we could find was one button!

Hello to all you loyal Chez fans...we had a GREAT Time at the "Meet Me at the Chez Paree" reunion which benefited the South Jersey Aids Alliance on March 30, 2008. If you want to check out some pictures...go to www.southjerseyaidsalliance.com
If you want to be added to our database (we are hoping to make this an annual event) feel free to e-mail me at jeannechiaradio@comcast.net The place was packed with people and memories!

I lived in Northern Jersey, right across the Hudson from New York City. I only went to Atlantic City occasionally. I missed all these things, It was usually in the summer, so was that the off-season? Remember when ?? My question is, At what time of the year was all this going on? I missed out!!!

I went to the Chez from the mid 80's until they closed the place down. I had some of the most memorable times of my life in that place. Hung out in the booth with Charlie and would watch Julio and the breakers kick it live.
I have started collecting tapes from people I used to know back when I was young and cute, but age has caught up with me like the rest of us. It's amazing how a place like that can provide such great memories. When Tattangers popped up I had the honorable task of dismanteling the old Chez sound system and installing a new one with Frankie BOE. That was a week I'll always remember. Being in there when it was empty was the strangest thing. If those walls could talk. (How many of us would still be in jail) I can remember Grace Jones being there with the "Human Buffet" set up. That place will never be duplicated.

i always wanted to go, but never went. i remember i could hear the music pumping from way up on the boardwalk..i always went past, to the saratoga a gay club down the block.sure wish i had the guts back then..it sounded like a blast

I have been to this DIVE a few times, must agree that GOOD TIMES were a standard there. Located in a questionable part of town, but then again, all of Atlantic City was QUESTIONABLE. Great times, I admit!!

WOULD ANYONE HAVE ANY MIXES FROM THOSE NIGHTS AT THE CHEZ-POSSIBLY TRANSFERED TO CD? ALSO ANY OTHER CLUB MIXES FROM BACK IN THE DAY FROM EITHER PHILLY CLUBS OR JERSEY? HIT ME BACK - WILL PAY ; THANKS, GARY

I use to hustle at the chez in the 80s THE BEST TIMES EVER

"Meet Me at the Chez Paree" reunion to Benefit the South Jersey Aids Alliance.
March 3oth,6PM, Deja Vu (site of the Chez) New York Ave & the Boardwalk, AC
$20.00 at the door. For online tickets and more information visit www.southjerseyaidsalliance.org
This will be a GREAT Reuion of Friends!
I'll see you there!
Jeanne Chiaradio

"Meet me at the Chez Paree" Reunion to benefit South Jersey Aids Alliance, Sunday, March 30th!! More information to follow...don't miss it!

Does anyone know when the Chez closed?

THERE IS GOING TO BE A CHEZ PAREE REUNION ON MARCH 30TH, SUNDAY TICKETS $20.00 ANYONE INTERESTED??????

New years of 1979 was one of the best times I had there.

Funny. I was just at the www.ureidj.com site thinking about the times I used to hang out in the booth with Charlie, & Nick. Laser lights were off the chain. Charlie used to hit me off with fresh copies of his mix tapes for the night. He was one of the best. I should know. When I was'nt in the booth at The Chez, I was up in NYC in the booth with Larry Levan at The Garage. Charlies mixes were razor blade clean. That cat could blend records with the best of them. I was addicted to that spot, and had to be in the house Saturday nights as soon as I got off of my casino job. My favorite tracks he'd mix when I requested were D Train's 'Keep Movin', & Mantronix 'Hip Hop Don't Stop'.

I just wanted to pay my respects to Charlie Buckeye...he was one of the best DJ's I ever heard and he was a very nice man. I bought a Technics 1100 A from him. He would always let me hang out in the booth and made tapes for me...never charged me a cent...I think tapes were like 10 or twenty bucks at the Chez back in the day. Goodbye Charlie...you were an inspiration to many.

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER COOKS BOOKS THE CAB DRIVE IN A.C????...... HE WOULD TAKE ALL THE KIDS TO THE CHEZ FOR FREE.....HIS MOTTO WAS "TRY".... ANYWAY I LOVED THE CHEZ ONE SUMMER I WENT THERE EVERYNITE. WEEKDAY, WEEKEND, ALL THE TIME...IT WAS REALLY A GOOD TIME ALWAYS......SENDING PHOTOS OF THE CHEZ SIGN, COOKS BOOKS OUTSIDE CHEZ AND MYSELF AND MY BEST FRIEND DENISE AT THE BAR IN THE CHEZ.....

Photos below:
DEBBIE & DENISE AT CHEZ BAR CHEZ SIGN W/COOKS BOOKS, DEBBIE, DENISE COOKS BOOKS (CAB DRIVER) & DEBBIE OUTSIDE CHEZ (NEW YORK AVE)

The Chez was one of our favorite clubs, we have great memories of all the fun we had there. Fast Eddie, Donna Cappo and Julia were our favorite bartenders. I have a Chez jacket and membership in a shadow box hanging above my Chez bar stool.

The Chez was my favorite nightclub in the 70s. I spent many a night and day there. I go back to the days when Paulette and Guy were tending bar and DCA Joe was a door person. Such wonderful memories. I believe Cliff's wife at the time was Dee.

Cliff Shute now owns Passion Nightclub @ the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood FL. www.passionnightclub.com

the chez, what can i say. as a dj myself i too admired charlie bucci. and when i couldn't get to the chez , i would injoy his mix set on the radio. this day i looked for charlie only to find out he passed on. to one bad a** dj, friend and mixmaster rip.

I remember sitting in the DJ booth for hours with Charlie and Sick Nick - as a matter of fact I sat there for about 4 years. There will never be another combination of Light Man and DJ - or a club like that again. Here is too good friends and good memories.

I worked with Jomark at the chez in the very early eighties. Partied with Bucci many times. Gin n Tonic, with a bump on the side.

Glenn From Philly

Worked at the Chez, was good friends with Chalie. Good man. He was the first scatcher and he worked with 3 turntables at onnce.

used to work at the chez, did pretty much everything there. Sorry to hear Buckeye is gone....he was one of the best..killer sound system there. those were the good old days...

I used to love the Chez and would often drive down after Gatsby's closed in Cherry Hill, especially on Sunday nights. Recently I ran into Martha Wash at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC; I told her that I had last seen her in Atlantic City at the Chez Paree about 1982. She said I must be mistaken as she's not that old, and then laughed. She said she always had a good time there.

does anyone know who built the
suound system there?

The Chez was the place. We'd drive down from S. Philly on Saturday nights and party until 9am-10am and then drive home. Sadly a high school friend was killed in a car accident on the way home from the Chez summer before senior year.

Chez Paree my old stompin grounds. I remember those hot summer nights on the weekends. Dancin till 10 am. Used to drive from Trenton then moved down the shore. Was a regular at the Chez in the early/mid 80's. Even dated one of the DJ's 1983-84. i've got one of the original ltd ed black satin Chez Disco baseball jackets that were for the DJ's only.

I am from Philly and we used to travel "down the shore" just to go the the "Chez". Spent many nights and earl mornings there. Always rembered how Karen Young's Hot Shot was a favorite play there.