|
Disco Music > Disco People Index > In Memory Of > James J. Del Femine
James J. Del Femine
Lightman for Philadelphia Clubs (September 29, 1944 - August 11, 1989)
James J. Del Femine September 29, 1944-August 11, 1989
Lightman - The Second Story, Philadelphia
Jimmy was the premier lighting engineer in Philadelphia in the '70s-'80s. He worked at The Second Story, club in Philly from '76-'86 & also worked at Equs and many other top clubs in the Phila/NJ area. Jimmy won several regional BILLBOARD awards in '78 and '79. He invented the lighting technique know as the "flashcube" where >50 lightbulbs would flash and the room would go dark right as the peak break of the night hit.
Photo #1 Lightman Jimmy Delfemine & Frankiewho.
Please feel free to link to this page by using this URL:
http://www.discomusic.com/people-more/1566_0_11_0_C/
COMMENTS ON James J. Del Femine
I worked with Jimmy at the Second Story back in the lat seventies and early eighties. He was a great guy, and a good friend. He is still greatly missed.
Jimmy was my older brother and while he was "the best" with lights, I was on the DJ side. I learned, in my youth from watching Philly's best: Frankie Goodman, Frankie (Who) Sestito, and Billy Kennedy. My childhood friend, Robbie Tronco, also became well know wordwide.
I'd like to place some comments here from one of the DJs that worked with Jimmy for a long time at The Second Story, "Jimmy Del was a complete lighting and club atmosphere genius. I was lucky to work shoulder to shoulder with him from the day the story opened till it closed.. He never missed a beat..ever...He was the master of the "flash cube" and remember.. he did that whole show with two controllers, manual switching and a foot pedel..there was never a pin beam or gel out of place...and how he controled the giant mirror ball was an art in itself..
He is sorely missed by all, he was the light person eveyone wanted to be and every dj wanted Jimmyto be there as their light person..."
When I worked with Jimmy we used to discuss where we would use the flashcube every Saturday night. We would come in the Second Story early and listen to the song that we had decided on and made sure we had the timing right. When the time came to use the song I would let Jimmy know and he went to work. In anticipation he would slowly bring down all the lights and at precisely the right beat when the club was almost totally dark he would set off the flashcube. Since he had the flashcube set up around the mirrored ball the effect made it seem like the entire dance floor had just flashed on and off. It was awesome!!! Everyone would explode into screams and it gave the entire club an incredible rush. He never once missed it. His timing was always right on the money.
I also worked with Jimmy at Discovery and when he took over as manager of Raffles he hired me to play for him one night a week.
He was a good friend and I've missed him for a long time.
I worked at Equus and remember Jimmie Well. My brother and I both worked at Equus as barbacks.
My brother passed away in March of 1989 the same year Jimmie passed away.
Jimmie was a great guy and a very caring person and I miss him very much.
Cajunmoon (sorry don't know your name) thanks for making my day and continuing Jimmy's memory. Sorry to hear about your brother... it's incredible how fast time passes, isn't it? All the best to you, DEL (Robert Del Femine)
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE FORM BELOW
Exclusive Must Read Interviews
- Sharon Brown
- DJ John Ceglia of New York, New York and The Underground
- Tina Charles
- Vincent DeGiorgio of Power Records
- Carol Douglas
- Gloria Gaynor
- Loleatta Holloway
- Thelma Houston
- Frankie Knuckles
- Barry Lederer of Graebar Sound and writer of the Disco Mix column for Billboard
- DJ Robbie Leslie of The Saint
- Kelly Marie
- David Mancuso of The Loft
- Tom Moulton - Disco Remixer
- Meco Monardo
- Vincent Montana of the Salsoul Orchestra
- New York Remixer, John Morales (An M & M Mix)
- Melba Moore
- Laurin Rinder of El Coco
- Henry Stone of TK Records
- DJ Ray "Pinky" Velazquez of Vanguard Records
- DJ Bobby Viteritti of Trocadero Transfer
- Jody Watley
- Carol Williams
• Disco • Disco Vinyl Records • CDs / Downloads • People • Disco Charts • 101 • Books • Discotheques • Message Board