Does Anyone Remember this DISCO in NYC?

[discofrank]

Someone gave me a "After Dark" Magazine Dated Oct. 1975. In the classifieds I found this advertisement for "Hollywood" Disco. Would love to hear stories or anything else about this place.

[marc0]

OMG, $5 with 2 free drinks. Nowadays, 5$ isnt even a good tip in clubz.

[DiscoMan]

Hey, where I live (Worcester, MA) the clubs STILL CHARGE A $5.00 COVER!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe this? After 30 years?
And the cheap pricks who live in this shit town bitch about it AND THEN bitch about drink prices and then stiff the bartenders with 15 cent tips!!!!!!!!!! I am not exagerating! It's all true! We're gettin' outta Dodge, though, time to move somewhere with a lifestyle.

[DJ Bozo]

"Fab DJ's"! whoo hooo!

[NickNack]

The "Richie" they're referring to is Richie Kaczor, also of Studio 54. To be honest, if I ever met Tony I've forgotten. Hollywood was Richie's 'homebase'. This was a storefront type club. When you walked in, the bar was on your right, the dancefloor was to the back. One level, not real big, but more than adequate for a couple of hundred people. Brightly lit as the ceilings were 'low' by club standards. Lots of black leather and chrome and glass. Great light and sound systems. The owners weren't cheap here. And, THE PLACE WAS PACKED!!! This club was very popular with the younger to mid-twenties crowd, mostly gay, male & female. Everyone was welcome. This was mid-town Manhattan so even though the bar was selling liquor, drugs were everywhere (duh?).

I fell in love with Richie the first time I heard him play. He was the only DJ who could constantly 'smack mix' and not annoy me with that style. He knew his music. Plus, my first night there I watched him work Ecstasy, Passion & Pain's, "Ask Me". That was it --- I was hooked. A few months back I mentioned a club where the DJs turntables were suspended and held by chains. This is the place. Hollywood was jumpin'. Not strictly my crowd but I'd deal with a lot to hear a good DJ spin. :lol:

[discofrank]

Originally Posted by NickNack

The "Richie" they're referring to is Richie Kaczor, also of Studio 54. To be honest, if I ever met Tony I've forgotten. Hollywood was Richie's 'homebase'. This was a storefront type club. When you walked in, the bar was on your right, the dancefloor was to the back. One level, not real big, but more than adequate for a couple of hundred people. Brightly lit as the ceilings were 'low' by club standards. Lots of black leather and chrome and glass. Great light and sound systems. The owners weren't cheap here. And, THE PLACE WAS PACKED!!! This club was very popular with the younger to mid-twenties crowd, mostly gay, male & female. Everyone was welcome. This was mid-town Manhattan so even though the bar was selling liquor, drugs were everywhere (duh?).

I fell in love with Richie the first time I heard him play. He was the only DJ who could constantly 'smack mix' and not annoy me with that style. He knew his music. Plus, my first night there I watched him work Ecstasy, Passion & Pain's, "Ask Me". That was it --- I was hooked. A few months back I mentioned a club where the DJs turntables were suspended and held by chains. This is the place. Hollywood was jumpin'. Not strictly my crowd but I'd deal with a lot to hear a good DJ spin. :lol:

Thanks Nick Nack, this is the kind of reply I was hoping to get! Did Hollywood become something else later on? This ad is from 1975...

Also, can you elaborate on the 'smack mix' .. what is this technique exactly?

Thanks again!

[NickNack]

Originally Posted by discofrank

Thanks Nick Nack, this is the kind of reply I was hoping to get! Did Hollywood become something else later on? This ad is from 1975...

You're welcome. Most clubs like this in the mid-town area either changed, moved or closed down. I honestly don't know when Hollywood disappeared. These clubs were located right off Broadway, the heart of Times Square. Clubbers and "The Theater District" crowd. Not a good mix.

Bill and I used to live on 47th Street, less than a block away from where they drop the ball every new year. There was notorious club for drag queens across the street. (Jussi asked about it once, now I've forgotten the name.) Between the noise, fights, drugs, slashings and police raids we were able to make it to our apartment steps unscathed. :D

Also, can you elaborate on the 'smack mix' .. what is this technique exactly? Thanks again!

'Smacking' or 'slam mixing' is when the dj doesn't blend or overlay his music. There is no slow transition while one song fades and the other comes up. The changes are abrupt but on beat. A DJ doing this constantly better have a damn good idea about what key his music is in. :)

[discofrank]

Originally Posted by NickNack

'Smacking' or 'slam mixing' is when the dj doesn't blend or overlay his music. There is no slow transition while one song fades and the other comes up. The changes are abrupt but on beat. A DJ doing this constantly better have a damn good idea about what key his music is in. :)

Sounds like the timing is important too. 8)

[originalbigm]

Timing and selection of the slam point in the record was the key.This technique was "do or die" as hitting it at the wrong point could literally kill the floor.