DiscoMusic.com

A friend of mine told me about this web site and immediately I was drawn to all the names I recognized growing up in New Jersey. I'm shocked to find out here how many people I have admired have passed away.

One person in particular stood out and that is Walter Gibbons. I was introduced to Walter at a friends house in New York in 1989. I have purchased many 12" records that were remixed by Walter and have always seen his name on album credits. Of course I was thrilled when I met Walter because this was my chance to tell him which records of his that he remixed I loved... and which ones I didn't, oh yes I did! He thought that was funny at the time.

Anyway, after that we sort of became phone pals and I would let him know when I'd be in Manhattan. Many times he'd try to meet me and my boyfriend (at the time) in the city, but he would be busy or he just didn't feel like traveling from Long Island City. We stayed in touch by phone. One time in 1991 or was it in 1992?, he threw this big party for his birthday or some friends birthday at his place. He was so happy spinning records for us and we partied hard that night, his place was packed, I was surprised at his large, and I mean large record collection! We had such a great time. Anyway, I feel terrible because one day he called me at home and we had an argument on the phone over something stupid. I can't even remember what it was about now...

I guess I was being a real a** hole because I failed to call him after that... then not long after that I got the call that he had passed away a while ago from a mutual friend. I felt horrible because I never got the chance to tell him one last time that I loved him and that I was sorry for whatever argument we had. You know, when you love someone, you should tell him or her often because you never know. Walter, I love you papi. r.i.p.
Your friend,
Marco Rivera

Well I am happy to read about Walter Gibbons. I did not have the chance to meet him, but since I found his remix of "Doin' The Best That I Can" from Bettye Lavette many years ago, I only have a quest: to get all the others. I am so into it. Since the beginning of 2004, there are some re-issue of Arthur Russel's work on Soul Jazz Records and Audika through Amazon (US) and Amazon (UK), more are coming. Walter Gibbons mixed or remixed some of his great work. It's high time to put bright lights on him as well.

As far as I know it seems that the remix of Bettye Lavette considered by many (David Toop, Bill Brewster, Sean Bidder...) as one of the great re-work of a track. Mr Gibbons knew how to use a studio is not available.

If a small label could make a compilation of the great mixes from Walter Gibbons it would be so nice. He deserves it.

Track list could be:
1. Double Exposure - Ten Percent
2. The Love Committee - Just As Long As I Got You
3. The Salsoul Orchestra - Magic Bird Of Fire (Fire Bird Suite)
4. Luv You Madly Orchestra - Moon Maiden
5. Bettye Lavette - Doin The Best That I Can (remix long version)
6. Anthony White - I Can't Turn You Lose
7. Sandy Mercer: Play with me
8. Strafe - Set It Off (instrumental) remixed with love by W. Gibbons
9. Gladys Knight - It's A Better Than Good Time
10. Stetsasonic - 4 Ever My Beat (Beat Bongo mix)

All the remixes of Arthur Russel's track; Tree House / School Bell or Let's Go Swimming with all the different mixes and dubs should be released by Audika Records.

It's sounds silly to make this wish of the compilation as screaming in the desert. I will use some others way to try to see release this compilation. Danny Krivit got one on Strut, Larry Levan on Strut, Salsoul UK, why not Walter Gibbons?

One of the best and one of the first Dj mixer. He understood so well the beat of music, in each of his work (disco blending, mix, remix, dub) you get a time a place where you are taken, captured. He always went to the very heart of a track, very deep, the essential, the essence. He only kept the drums and percussions, no more strings, no more winds, only beats and keyboards with the voice some times underlined by this beat. Listen from the 4' 40" of "Just As Long As I Got You" the message of this song is clearly put in light. He remixed with love, heart and soul.

He understood so well the beats, the drums. Read what François Kevorkian (Francois Kevorkian) told about him in the great book "Last Night A Dj Saved My Life", the way they fight Walter in the booth with his records and François on the dance floor with percussions.

I am too young to have known this period. Lots of people are talkin about it these last years. A new book "Love Saves The Day - A History Of Amreican Dance Music 1970 -1979" by Tim Lawrence is available now. Let's release in a wider way all the work of Walter Gibbons - out of the darkness of the underground.

Some are available. Salsoul Records is reissuing a lot. What about Bettye Lavette, Gladys Knight, Strafe, the Disco Madness Lp?

A true addict of beautiful music

Aldrick de Narp (France)

That was a good list of songs but you forgot 1 of his most famous mixes, Loletta Holloway's "hit and run" he worked the hell out of that song a true classic.

Walter Gibbons was a great friend as well as a remarkable dj, i can only say that i had the honor of hanging out with him as well as driving him to the Buttermilk Bottoms on Saturday after Nicky Siano left and he took his place... I will always miss him... Gene cabrera

does anyone know if the Gladys Knight "Better Than Good Time" Remix is on an album or bootleg? I think it was only released in Canada and is rare as hens teeth! Thanks for sharing. Lee

i finally managed to get the Gladys Knight "Better Than Good Time" mix by Mr Walter Gibbons - why doesnt someone re-release this - Its fantastic - VERY emotional spine tingling

I MET WALTER BACK AT A DJ CONVENTION HELD AT THE AMERICANA HOTEL.. HE WAS ONE WHO WAS NEVER SELF CENTERED, AND ALWAYS WANTED TO HELP YOU GET ALL YOUR RECORDS FROM ALL THE COMPANYS THAT WERE AT THE DJ CONVENTION...THANK YOU WALTER FOR BEING YOU..R.I.P. YOUR FRIEND DJ STEVE THE SAGA PEREZ..

Walter Gibbons is my favorite DJ at the moment. His mixes are unbelievable. I'm blown away by his mixing-they are amazing. I wish Walter was still round. I miss him so much, his track selection is astounding. He was put on this earth to touch our lives wit his soul and heart. I wish I could have known him, but at least I have his love of music forever. Walter R.I.P. much love from this old disco keeping the old disco going round & on & on.

Walter and I were friends since Junior High school Walt Whitman in Brooklyn He was the lone White boy hangin out with the sistahs Walter hung out with a fairly tough group of Black girls I guess this helped cultivate his musical tastes I wanted to take a moment to remember his live dee jay performances I don't know of any one else who could mix and edit on the fly like Walter If you were ever lucky enough to hear walter one song really comes to mind He would do an awesome edit on the Eddie Kendricks cut Girl you need a change of mind I have tried to duplicate it but to no avail Walter left a legacy of how great he was with one anthem "Set it Off"

It was in early 1974 that I first met Walter. He was working as a record salesman at Melody Records in Downtown Brooklyn. He was instrumental in getting all the smokin' hot club records that were available...into the record shop. He "hooked-up" everyone with all the hot 7" singles. I believe they were about $.69 cents at the time.

He told me he was working at a club called the "Outside Inn" in Jackson Heights,. Queens, N.Y., a small but effective gay club which was one of Richard Long's first sound system installations. I went to hear him, and I was stunned to hear how good he was at mixing short, hot breaks together, and adding sound fillers into his performance. I was inspired to emulate him.

At that same time I met his roomate / lover, and business partner. I'm sorry, I cannot remember his name, but together, they bought a record lathe to cut acetates of his own augmentated mixes, and hard to find obscure, unavailable, out of print, dance records. Their private "bootleg" company was called "Melting Pot Records." If you were privaledged to know Walter, you could request any record you wanted in his collection, or from your own reel-to-reel, cut onto acetate. His record collection at that time was extensive. He would invite you over to his apartment for you to see the actual cutting of the acetate onto a 7" metal plate record, covered with acetate wax.

IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE TO WALK INTO HIS APARTMENT AND SEE A LARGE RECORD CUTTING LATHE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LIVING ROOM. IT WAS THE SIZE OF A WASHER AND DRYER PUT TOGETHER. IT MUST HAVE WEIGHED AN ACTUAL TON. A SMALL MICROSCOPE WAS ATTACHED TO THE CUTTING DEVICE TO SEE THE DEPTH AND SPACING OF THE GROOVES. IT WAS SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET.

A small fee was added to put another cut on the "B" side. He would type the labels and place them on the 7" 45RPM. I have several of these memorable records (which are not for sale) in my collection. They are the total epitomy of rare, one-of-a-kind records. Soooooo much history here. Does anyone else have these rare records? If so, please, let's talk.

I was elated to see his sincere dedication to dance music. The up-and-coming genre of the disco dj would soon take up a major portion of my young adult life, thanks to the support of Walter.

When he was beginning to mix records for Salsoul, he once questioned me regarding his top twenty list that he reported for Billboard Magazine. He kindly asked me the question: "What do you see in this playlist?" I took a quick look, analized it for a few seconds, and responded: "well....you have twenty songs, and for each of the twenty songs...you have twenty different record companies." He looked at me, and acknowledged my awarteness with a tacid smile, and a wink. It was there that I realized, Walter knew his politics of the record industry.

Walter...I miss you!!!


Love, forever

Hi Mark,
I'm Walter's Ex roomate / partner / business partner, Rich Flores. I met Walter in 1972 when he was only 18. Actualy the record cutting lathe was in the foryer between the main door and the living room, but that ok, it was 33 years ago. I still have some of the Meltingpot Sound 7 inch acetate recordings that was left-over as one sided or damaged. After our break-up in 1974 I was still cutting records, drips and drabs of small clients untill 1986, it was a tough business for me, and I gave up the disc mastering altoghether. My resentment is that Walter could have given me the opportunity to cut the master for "Ten percent" the 12" single on Salsoul Records. At the same time I've learned that Walter was bringing business to Charly and Frank of Sunshine Sound at 1650 Broadway. You can say that this was a big fall-out. Who knows what might have happend if I was given the chance to cut this once in a lifetime single? I probably would have been in Herb Powers Jr's place instead of him, because I was very good at disc mastering. The last time I saw Walter was in Greenwich Village in 1990. This was the last time I saw him, until 1995 while listening to a house music radio show on WNYE FM in New York, is how I learned of his death.
Rest In Peace Walter

The Gladys Knight "Better Than Good Time" Remix is issued as two mixes:
1.The Canadian 12 inch mix from 7 minutes (Only issued in Canada).
It’s an edited version of the Acetate version.
2.The 12:35 minute version on Sunshine Sound Acetate.
It’s a very good typical Walter Gibbons remix
I own a copy of the acetete which is on 12 inch and it’s pressed only a few copies.
I have a question to Rich Flores:
Who gave the name melting Pot and what does it mean.
I own also a few 10 inches of melting pot, when was the last pressed ?
And did Walter also made remixes on melting Pot
Can you contact me for some more questions I have about melting pot.
See my site: http://members.home.nl/discopatrick/ and clique on disco acetates-melting pot.

Good day all! I was wondering if anybody out there can tell me if the Hot Plate phenomenom of 1982/83 produced any volumes 12, 13 or 14 in the Canadian version? I do have the Mexican versions of those volumes. Anyones help would definitely be appreciated!

Wow, I'm amazed to discover these great bits of info !!

Mark, I wanted to ask you if you knew where about in Jackson Heights was this OUTSIDE INN ??

I'm in NYC since the early 90's but I've been living in Jackson Heights myself since 1999 and loving the neighborhood in all its rich histories I'd love to know where the great W. Gibbons cut his teeth on the decks.. Oh yes, please let me know !!

Thanx,

Madteo

Hi Madteo,
For the life of me I can't recall exactly where the Outside Inn was. It was under an El..or at least I think. It was much too long ago, and I have CRS syndrome. (Can't Remember s***)
Peace,
Mark

Hey,

exactly what I suspected ! Under the 7 train El on Roosevelt...

there are still a few gay bars and small clubs there today and I wish I knew exactly which one !

Anyways thanx !

M

My goodness. Great comments about Walter Gibbons. Great Comments. I loved the lists of his mixes and remixes. Excellent!! My personal favorite WALTER GIBBONS' re-mix is without a doubt, The SALSOUL Orchestra's MAGIC BIRD OF FIRE!! Why? If you did a re-mix, you were wasting your time. That song was PERFECT!! The way the horns BLASTED through the speakers. The way the drums ran from one speaker, then to another, then to another! I would f*** with the balance and bounce the music at full blast from one side of the room to the other. I would do it as long as the song played. I never mixed out of it. It's climaxtic end would reverberate through every speaker, then I could go to whatever song I wanted, It was great to end a STRONG HIGH ENERGY set. As far as a deejay goes, I couldn't ask for anything more. That is the ONLY record I can say that about. WALTER knew it, he told me once that it can not be improved. He was right. Re-visit that 12", take a good long, loud listen to perfection. You'll be glad you did.His club mixing wasn't that far from perfection either! He was beyond good, be was better! I think all the greats were great. Walter was better. Too bad he isn't around to prove me right! God Bless you!

Hello everyone

I wrote a big set of liner notes on Walter Gibbons when Suss'd brought out a compilation of his Salsoul remixes a few years ago. It was one of the things I've most enjoyed writing since the publication of Love Saves the Day. If you're interested in reading them, they've been posted at www.timlawrence.info

At the moment I'm developing the Suss'd essay for a journal and am keen to find out more about Walter, especially his early years, where the story remains a little hazy for me.

Please contact me at tlawrence1@mac.com and reference DiscoMusic.com and we can exchange information. I'll be happy to credit anyone who can help me -- and will post the new essay on my site.

Many thanks
Tim Lawrence

Dear Rich Flores

I have been trying to track you down in all sorts of ways, but haven't had any luck yet.

I've spoken with just about everyone I need to about Walter except for you.

It would be great if you could get in touch. My email is tlawrence1@mac.com

For all, the new, extended account of Walter's life will be posted on my website, www.timlawrence.info, probably in the summer of 2008.

Many thanks
Tim

My fondest memories of Walter started when a group of friends and myself, Stepped into "Galaxy 21" on 23d street in Manhattan, and were taken for the musical ride of our lives by him!
He just blew us away! (I believe that's where I first heard "Ten Percent, and it was a different mix that what was released!!"
I later met Walter at the club "Better Days" where he was in the booth with another legend, "T. Scott".
Walter is one of the unsung hero's of the Disco Day's, and I want others to know of his work, and the beautiful soul that he possessed.
I also was at his house party that was mentioned by Marco Rivera!
He had one in the Bronx as well.....For a friend, and we partied all night long!
I loved Walter, and I will always mis my friend....

My is Eddie, Walter Gibbons' nephew. I never actually met him, I've been looking into my family history and if anyone new him personally I love to hear any stories.