Jacques Morali

While working as a DJ at Les Mouches..I had heard the story of how Jacques Morali's idea for The Village people was crystalized there from his frequent visits to Les Mouches.
The crowd itself was a spectacle of beauty..all types..mingled together in an elegant surrounding.
Coupled by a Barry Lederer designed sound system and lights worthy of the big White Way!
Les Mouches was one of the first to allow everyone in (upon a summation at the door)and it worked..beautifully!

Jacques Morali
Also produced Patrick Juvet's
"Lady Night"
An album I'm very fond of
and Track 4
Medley
1)THe"Gay Paris"
2)French Pillow Talk
being my favorite Track
although I find the entire album very enjoyable

Well, now here is another ICON. Jacques Morali was a Frenchman who came over here in the early seventies, and fell in love with the PHILLY sound. Before he knew it, he was writing and producing records. Along with his fellow Frenchman Henri Belolo, they formed a life-long partnership, unfortunately his life wasn't long enough, succumbing to HIV and aids. He started a female trio called THE RITCHIE FAMILY, and in 1974 released the single BRAZIL, its reception was so impressive, that an album was released in early 1975. The hits kept coming;LIFE IS MUSIC,THE BEST DISCO IN TOWN(played on AM stations as well),AFRICAN QUEENS and one of my personal all-time favorites, QUIET VILLAGE. One night he goes to the Village, and at a gay DISCO called LES MOUCHES he is delighted and impressed by the fashions of the crowd on a theme night. He loves the MACHO MAN stereotypes that are everywhere. He came up with the idea of a group of different Gay Fantasy figures, a construction worker, a cop, an American Indian....you get the idea, THE VILLAGE PEOPLE!!!! Now come the hits:SAN FRANCISCO, the iconic, party classic YMCA, MACHO MAN, IN THE NAVY, GO WEST and a personal favorite, even though most hated it, the title song from the VILLAGE PEOPLE movie CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC. Again, a very impressive list. There were others, but these are what he was known for. A legend in DISCOS everywhere, he will be missed dearly forever. GOD BLESS.

Production work for the Ritchie Family, Village People and others kept Disco Music alive!

R.I.P.

Jacques Morali gave us some of the best club music ever, he may have thought he was writing music only for gay people, but his music really brought joy to EVERYONE who listened to it! Thanks for the great albums, Jacques. YMCA, FIRE ISLAND, CANT STOP THE MUSIC, AND HOT COP are true dance club classics, and works of art. So what if the Village People's "rap" and "new wave rock" albums were not that great, your music still makes us smile. God bless you, Jacques, keep the music going up in heaven!

Probably one the most successful writer/producers in the business. The "Brasil" album he produced for the Ritchie Family is a true work of art, one that, I'm sad to say, I've never seen on CD, at least not in it's entirety. That's why I own 3 copies of the album. By the way, even though his work with the Village People is well known, if you've never heard the title track from their album "Sleazy" you're in for a real treat!