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Disco Music > Disco People Index > In Memory Of > Larry Levan
Larry Levan
(July 21, 1954 - November 8. 1992)
Larry Levan (July 21, 1954 - November 8. 1992)
(DJ & Remixer) Born Lawrence Philpot. Resident DJ at Paradise Garage in New York and remixer of many Salsoul (Instant Funk - I Got My Mind Made Up) and West End (Taana Gardner - Heartbeat) classics. Passed away from cardio endicarditis.
Some of Larry Levan's best loved remixes include:
Is It All Over My Face - Loose Joints
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Inner Life
Don't Make Me Wait - The Peech Boys
You Can't Hide - David Joseph
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COMMENTS ON Larry Levan
Thank you Larry for ALL the great times and memories that will last a life time; Rest In Peace my friend.
Best club deejay I've ever heard. The Paradise Garage and Larry will never be forgotten.
I can remember sneaking into the Paradise Garage just to find out who this Larry Levan was. Once inside I was put into a trance with the heavy hitting beats and mixes of the Great Larry Levan and I am honored to have heard him play. I also ejoyed his birhtday bash at Studio 54. In my opinion he was the best DJ and still is. Long live house music and RIP Larry.
Karen
one day in nyc at a record shop off 43rd & 6th located downstairs, i ran into larry trying to find a copy of the lp (walking on sunshine) by eddie grant. 2 cuts off the album were (living on the front line/front line orchestra) this lp was nowhere to be found. i explained to him that i had 2 copy's and would let him borrow one. he invited me to the garage that night and upon arrival a doorman escorted me to the booth where i presented him a copy to keep. he was elated and immediatly placed the record on the plate only to bum rush the mix of course. i had the pleasure of hanging out with larry up in the booth while he mixed for the next few hours. 2 weeks later mike brody presented me with a vip card courtesy of larry. it was a nice gesture from both and a very good feeling to know that i was welcomed at all times.
I had the pleasure of knowing Larry very well. We met through a mutual friend, Richard Long. Also being a jock we would visit record companies, and sometimes practice skatting in the Garage during the day while listening to new cuts from the pool. I'd play in Jersey at night, then head into the city to hear the master play ! I will always miss hearing his music.
Larry...you inspired my life..THANK YOU!
A day doesn't pass where i don't mention Paradise Garage, it took me about 4 years to get to the garage and when i finally walked in ( playing Deodato Are You For Real) it lived up to its reputation. Larry made it a fun night and when ever i tried to leave early he would always get me running back up that ramp for one more dance " oh man he's playing Caught Up" or " hey thats the new Colonel Abrams song accapella "Trapped" the thing that doesn't get mentioned a lot about Larry was his pop sensibilities. Not since Paradise Garage ( although they try) have i heard songs, only to hear them pop up on mainstream radio 1-2 years after partying to them Strafe Set It Off being an example. I had the pleasure of meeting Larry and he was a great down to earth guy no pretensions or fierceness at all, mind you although he was a legend to us garage heads when he passed it was the whole Marilyn, Elvis thing that happened- Thanks for the life direction Larry " Weekend-s" haven't been the same
To my boy Larry, thank you for all the hook ups. If it wasn't for you i would have never been a staff member of the paradise garage, and i would have never had all the records i have today. I play them in your name every Friday and Saturday night for you. Thank you my friend, till we meet again. Your friend now and always dj Steve the saga Perez. And always remember, aside from god, music is the answer, and love is the message... Peace my brother. You too were a god in your own way.
I'm forever grateful to Larry for putting Camille and I on the map at the Garage by playing our tunes 'Are You For Real' and "SOS, Fire In The Sky' every night and rockin' the house!! Rest in peace, friend.
You said it all, DancinBoy... " Weekend-s" haven't been the same. There will NEVER be another Larry, and I still play his music. My "heartbeats" for real house music.
Walking up the ramp and hearing....
Don't make me wait another night, tonight I'm gonna love you...Don't make me wait all night....aaaaaah cause I can do it right.
And then....the base line to Heart Beat...
Boom Boom-Boom Boom...
Thanks Larry
MAESTRO
Anyone who has been to the Paradise Garage, The Loft or Sanctuary "back in the day" should pick up a copy of the DVD "Maestro"... YESTERDAY.
I recently saw this documentary and was blown away with nostalgia. It's been many years since I've lived in NYC, but for a brief period between 1980 and 1982 I became part of the PG tribe. It changed my life forever.
This film has interviews, footage and commentary about the innovators - Larry Levan, Nicky Siano, David Mancuso and others. My only knock is that it didn't play enough of the MUSIC, but at least they selected some of the best Garage tunes to play in the background.
I'm glad that I had a chance to not only experience the Paradise Garage (1981-1987), but met him on a few occasions.
He signed my copy of Gwen Guthrie's Padlock EP on 4/19/85 and I'll cherish his work forever!
He made us dance and he'll remain a legend for all to enjoy as time marches on!
R.I.P.
LARRY LEVAN WAS THE BEST DJ, EVER. PERIOD. IF U DIDN'T GET IT, U MISSED IT.
My first Garage experience was 1984 - i remember The Earons - Land of Hunger, Siedah Garrett - Do you want it right now - Loleatta Holloway - Crash Goes Love - David Joseph - Can't Hide Your Love. The NYC Peech Boys, In Touch, so so so many.
Larry Levan forever changed my life with his gift of music. You will forever be missed & never duplicated.
Thanks for the good times !
FYI,
There is a new Larry Levan CD: Journey Into Paradise - The Larry Levan Story that just dropped this week (I believe). It's available on Amazon right now and may already be in stores.
tehuti
To those of you who were there at the Paradise Garage I hope you guys don't think this is a bad idea
WHY NOT THROW AN ALL DAY BLOCK PARTY IN FRONT OF WHERE THE GARAGE USE TO BE ON KING STREET AND GET THE PROPER PERMITS AND DO IT EVERY YEAR ON LARRY LEVAN'S BIRTHDAY OR DO IT ON THE CLOSEST WEEKEND OF HIS BIRTHDAY JULY 20TH OR MAKE IT AN ALL WEEKEND THING?AND HAVE DJ STEVE THE SAGA HOLD COURT???? To all the true Garage heads I want to at least try to do something to honor the memory of Dance Music's Greatest DJ ever. Hit me back on this forum does ANYone think this is a good idea?
It sounds good to me. Although I will only be there in spirit, since I've been in California for the last 23 years. If you guys do decide to do this I hope someone will post pictures and commentary here or on a web site.
Every song that He remixed is basically music from MY wonder years. All the dance songs I love that by passed genre they now call Garage Music. I may not have been there but I'll tell ya this much I AM A GARAGE HEAD TOO!!!!!!!!
Larry Levan you were one of the many Musical Ambassadors of Good Will God put down here. You taught us it was about the MESSAGE AND THE MUSIC. Your message resonates in the Hearts and minds of the Enlightened and may it spread!! Music needs to say something again!!!!!
I'm loving the idea of the annual Block Party in front of the old Garage site. It would be great to recapture those PG moments so I can experience some elements of it (cos lets face it the whole vibe cannot be replicated without the man Larry). And yes I would fly from London every year for the event!
I remember listening from the outside of the garage( i was too young)thinking "damn i want to go in" but i never had the opportunity. Growing up on other djs like little louie, junior vasquez and roger sanchez i see where all that comes from. Larry is truly the best there will ever be. They did a movie on Studio 54 why not on Larry? RIP Larry Levan! It wont be the same
I recently found out that there is a street named for Frankie Knuckles in Chicago. WHY DON'T WE PETITION to get the strip of King Street where the Paradise Garage was located renamed LARRY LEVAN WAY? His impact has far surpassed just music and if Chicago can honor Frankie Knuckles like that Larry Levan surely deserves an equal honor in New York. Larry levan is a very big part of the reason why New York was the center of the Dance Music Universe back in the day and He should be given even more respect! I just think it would be a great idea.AND I still think it would be great if We could get a permit to hold an Annual Block Party on or around Larry Levan's Birthday and have like Francois K and other Greats who were Larry's friends to hold it down 'til everybody drops!!
That would be great!!
I remember meeting Larry for the 1st time & watching this brother play like no other. I was spellbound. No one but myself has timing like that lol (I learned everything I know from this man! I'am forever truly grateful for having him in my life telling those around me of his greatness & what an impact he had all over this world !
I'm currently in Atlanta GA, trying to give them a clue ...peace to all
Jason that's a good idea man !
Look I'm here in Atlanta now & there are alot of old garage heads here too
& i was planning on trying to put together something here in his honor..
I still play to this very day & have all of my music.Lwparkone@aol.com
678-763-7671
wha can i say?
Thanks larry, maximum respect forever and ever!
House Music
A pioneer in our business. I for one admit to imitating his mixes as I played. I would buy an echo-machine and copy LARRY. But I never forgot that he was the first! He was unpredictable, and that seems to be the pattern on all early deejays. It wasn't just beat after beat after beat, with all the songs mixed perfectly together. He would intentionally throw you a curve ball every few minutes. The hugely successful PARADISE GARAGE is where he is mostly remembered for, but he did re-mixes as well, we all know that. But did you know that his re-mixes were not carefully planned and plotted, they were created "Spur-of-the-moment". I loved that! Thank you LARRY. GOD BLESS.
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