Bert Bevans?

[JussiK]

Nicky Siano who should know says he is the only surviving deejay from the Rubell/Schrager glory (?) days of Studio 54.
Now, there's a huge radio campaign for a Studio 54 weekender in Helsinki, complete with a 4 star hotel package, and with the main draw "original Studio 54 dj Bert Bevans".

Bert Bevans, real or fake?

Incidentally, this isn't the first time Mr Bevans has been here. Last time his disco bash sold out in record time, leaving hordes of disappointed clubbers shivering outside in the bitter cold.

[ladyboygrimsby]

I've often wondered about Bert. He's been resident in the UK a long time and was the original resident at Ministry of Sound when it opened, along with Justin Berkmann. I've DJed with him in Italy a few times. I've never heard him being mentioned when I've interviewed NY DJs, but he could easily have been there. If Nicky Siano says so, I'd have to say he should know.

[NickNack]

I know it was Richie Kaczor and Nicky Siano who opened 54 and were the resident dj's. Richie did pass away in the 1980's.

John Ceglia, Robbie Leslie and John "Jellybean" Benitez also played there. I don't know the timeframe or if they had recurring dates but they are still here with us.

Who the hell is Bert Bevans? I never seen the name anywhere in connection with Studio 54?

[Giovanni]

An interview with him is at:

http://www.disco-disco.com/djs/bert.html

[NickNack]

Thanks, Giovanni. I didn't read it all (too long) but I'll have to take his word that he's worked EVERY BIG CLUB in the City until I find out otherwise.

As for his comment about Larry being fired from Paradise Garage because of "too many Black kids showing up" --- I don't know how to take that. If memory serves, I believe Larry "stepped aside" to prove a point. But hey, I wasn't a regular or even a member so I didn't dwell on their internal problems. Let's just say the owners' initial dreams of having the ultimate, racially mixed, gay after-hours in New York never came to pass. And it wasn't about too many Black kids showing up, it was about too many White kids not coming back.

I did notice Bert and I share a friend. He mentions "Joel" from Les Mouches. Joel and I worked The Gallery and he moved on after it closed to bigger and better things like, eventually, The Saint :D .

[SandraDee]

Wasn't Kenny Carpenter a dj at studio 54? Was his stint after the 'classic' Shrager/Rubell period? Was the club different after they were thrown into prison? I'd loved to have gone; I know it wasn't the best club in NY but I'm sure it was an experience to visit on a good night.

[JussiK]

After the bust at the Studio things apparently went downhill fast on 54th street. I went first when the place was still going strong in the summer of 1979. It was a good freakshow that was fun for 30 minutes. Then out of morbid curiosity I had a peek a year or so later and it was just a less than average club, with no celebrities, no good music, no energy and no reason to be there whatsoever. Perhaps some the djs who spinned there during this later lame phase indeed do announce themselves as legendary Studio 54 discjockeys.

[SandraDee]

I remember reading an article from late '79 that said 54 was full of unhealthy-looking women (?) & aging business men; the writer left early & visited the Paradise Garage & much preferred it there!