Rememberances:
Rememberances:
from: Nancy Margeson, Email:nm4@doc.mssm.edu
I was so excited to find the Garage web site. I'm an old garage head and recently the only tape I have of Larry mixing broke. I have one Padlock [Gwen Guthrie] record and have searched around New York for stuff but nothing has come up. Where can I find stuff? Vinyl Mania? Do you have an address?
i miss the garage so much. I can't find a club worth going to nowadays. Nothing measures up. Any recommendations?
Editor's Note:
There are a couple of clubs that cater to the same energy and crowd (old garage heads and maybe those that would be going to the garage if it was still open). The Shelter, with DJ Timmy Regisford, plays new house and LOTS of garage classics. It's from Midnight Saturday 'till about 11am Sunday morning.. Entrance is on Hubert near Hudson (about 3 blocks below Canal street). In the same location Sunday evenings, from about 6-10 PM, is Body and Soul, by Larry's friend and sometimes Garage guest DJ, Fracois Kevorkian (remixed D Train's "Keep On" and others). Shelter would probably be your best bet for most of Garage Heads.
For records, Vinyl Mania on Carmine in the Village (near Bleecker, 6th Avenue, and Houston) is great store for oldies. Also try Downtown Records around West 27th street on second floor. Rock and Soul at 7th and 35th is okay. Also, Dance Tracks on East Third Street just off First Avenue.
from: Darrell Parker, from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif; Email:PEN3172@aol.comI grew up in NYC and am so fortunate to have had the chance frequent The Garage, Better Days, Studio 54, etc. There will never be a time like 1978 thru 1987.
Boy do I remember the Garage. One really vivd nite was the nite I first heard the song "Go Bang" by Dinosaur L, I believe. Man I was just stand ing there checking out the scene (the people were awesome) and all of a sudden the guy in the record goes -" I wanna go B---A----N----GGGGGGGG!!! Man the strobe lights started flickering and I felt like I was Hit with the "Holy Spirit" I jumped up on a Platform and did not come down until it was time to leave. My friend Michael (God bless his Soul) told me I was in a trance and totally ignored him. It was not done on purpose. Larry or whoever was the guest dj that night wore that place OUT!! That is one of the best memories I have about the Paradise Garage
Ironically the Garage closed in 1987 and that was the same year I moved to California. I used to tease my friends that the reason the Garage closed was because "I" left NYC.
I spent New Years Eve at Better Days 79-80. I danced all night and when I could'nt dance anymore, I went up to T-Scott and thanked him for a wonderful nite.
I am so excited and moved by this web-site.....Let's keep it going.
Feel free to contact me if you need any information about the era.
I LIVED IT!!!!
Darrell Parker
Parker Entertainment Network(P.E.N.)
from: John Waszak; Email:wonworks@bellsouth.netThis is Joseph Madonia. I was the light operater and maitenance man for the sound and lighting sysytem @ the Paradise Garage between 1979-82. LArry and I grew up together in Brooklyn, both of us being DJ's in NYC, we eventually met via the record pool @ 99 Prince street (The Loft) The first record pool in the world. I miss Larry and all the good times we had @ The Garage, esp. with Micheal De Bennidictus from the Peach Boys.
I have been living in South Florida off and on and now finally permantly for the past 20 years. I moved here in 1977, and went back to NY for the time of 79-82 in order to be Larry's lighting operator and tech. Oh the stories I could tell!!! like the one about Larry biting Micheal Broody. the chances anyone knowing the answer to that may never be known. Anyway, I really just wanted to say hello to anyone who really knew how fierce and deep The Garage really was. I have opened up a couple of after hours and loft's since I've been down here, I am currently working @ The Mix (South Beach, Florida) doing lights for DJ David Padilla. During the week Monday thru friday I work @ TM sound and lighting (1226 NE 4th avenue, Fort Lauderdale Florida, 33304) Tele- (954) 522-1200 My specialities are console design, and lighting & electrical design, also custom carpentry. My consoles have been used by Little Louie Vega and Kenny Carpenter. My e-mail address is wonworks@bellsouth.net
Work the system and make it FIERCE.
from: Michael Sampson; Email: nycnymike@aol.comHey this is Michael Sampson, Larry's last lightman at Paradise Garage. We closed the club together. 4 days later we went down to take care of business......... he gave me the wire cutters that made the finale for me. Cutting the power cords to "Zuki"(the name of the sound system) made me feel like I was removing a life support system on one of my best friends. At least I was able to record hours of video tape of the last night --- I still get emotional when I watch it. Someday I hope to be able to share it with all. I miss the club, I miss Larry but most of all I miss the LOVE that was shared amongst the family of members of the last real "CLUB" for me.” GOD BLESS US ALL !!
from: Missroc Missroc@aol.comIn the summer of 1980, I was fresh out of high school and addicted to the NYC club life. As a member of the New York Dolls Dance CO., I performed in various disco fashion shows at some of NYC's trendiest nightclubs including The Electric Circus, The FunHouse and the Mudd Club.
One night after a performance, we went to Xenon's where we hooked up with Jay Williams, this phenomenal choreography from Barbados. At 5 am, when Xenon's closed Jay asked us if we waned to join him at this membership only club downtown where we could dance until noon. Immediately, as we exited from our taxi on the corner of Varick Street, I heard the rumble of the bass bins shaking. As we approached the doorway of 84 King Street I realized that something extraordinary was about to happen to me that would change my life forever!!!
The late Larry Levan, was a vinyl wizard, who would whip me in to an undulating frenzy with his tantalizing edits and screeching sirens. I thank god everyday for having been blessed with the opportunity to have witnessed hundreds of breath taking and foot stomping performances at the Paradise Garage. I would scale 20 feet off the ground to the top of those huge black speakers adjacent to the stage where I would watch these phenomenal mini concerts. My favorites ones include Sylvester and 2 Tons of Fun, Patti Label, The Unlimited Touch, Lolitta Holloway, Jennifer Holiday, Phyllis Hymen, Jocelyn Brown, Grace Jones, Tanya Gardner, The Peech Boys and Chaka Khan, to mention a few.
Wait...I am having a flash back... it's around 8am...I see myself getting some fruit and going to the Grey room to take a disco nap. I prop up against a couple of those huge square pillows, chatting and laughing with friends. I lay there and stretch my hamstrings and close my eye while listening to the bass gently thump against the sound proofed walls. If you knew your musical arrangements and paid close attention to the bass patterns in the distant background; one could figure out what Larry was mixing on the main floor.
I remember how I would jump up and run to the dance floor when I heard the bass line pumping dum dum dum dum And knew that "Love Sensation" was on. Baby, I really got down to real nitty gritty!!! I still can smell the baby powder and feel the confetti on my face! :-)
A year or so ago my girlfriend Heidi, a DJ, who at that time was working as Label Manager for the Narcotic Records in the UK came to the Big Apple on holiday. Heidi had met Larry shortly before his death when he went to London to help design the system at the Ministry of Sound.
During her vacation, she stayed at my house and did the traditional sightseeing and shopping. But the highlight of her trip was going down to King Street.
We convinced this security guard that she was a reporter from London and he let us go up the ramp and take pictures. The friendships I made while dancing at the Garage shaped and influenced who I am today. It was my dear departed friend Jose Lynne, the manager of the Garage who encouraged me to go away to college and get my degree in dance.
I knelt down on the ramp and said a prayer for those souls who had enriched my life...Keith, Emilo, Noel, Larry and Lynne who are now dancing in heaven. As I prayed I became emotionally overwhelmed and started to cry. I am so grateful that I have survived the drugs and that I am in the land of the living. Thank you for creating this site and for the trip down memory lane.
Its been more than ten years and I still really miss those days of wild abandon and artistic freedom. I guess I always will.
Peace and Love, Ladyrock :-)
from: JAY WINBORN JAYWIN@GATE.NET
I was very disappointed to find the pictures removed from your sight. Whether Ms.Paul's accusations are corect or not makes no difference to me. I believe you are providing a necessary and educational sight to the community. Therefore as a fellow child of the Garage I will try to furnish you with MY personal pictures from the Garage. I have them at my Mother's house, as soon as I am able I will scan and email them to you. But please be patient, My mom is in Dallas, I am in Miami. I will be returning home for a visit this spring and will dig them up for you. Although I was not a member of the PG I visited there on 2 seperate occasions and met Larry both times. I have many close friends who worked at the Garage. I myself am a DJ, professionally and produce music on the side. I truly admit the Garage was an influence to my career and played at a large club in Dallas that paralled it in many ways. Many people do not truly understand what and how the Garage influenced the music scene today. I do! I was lucky enough to be there!
Jay
from: William Alonso <walonso@ibm.net>
Man I'm so sorry Tina Paul asked you to take the photos off your site so here's a little something I hope will lift your spirit and also cheer up the many visitors of your site. I've been visiting your site for over a year and felt hurt as I did when I heard the Garage was about to close forever. I'm sorry the pics of Larry and the Garage had to come down so here's a new color logo of the Paradise Garage I hope can bring some new spice to your page. I hope you can view it. If so, display this logo on your site with my blessings.
LONG LIVE THE PARADISE GARAGE!!!SINCERELY, BILLY
from: Marcus.Watler@LMCO.com
NUFF RESPECT to the creator of this site!! The Paradise Garage ( The G ) represented an attitude toward music and dance; needless to say, no other sound system could ever SSHHAAKKEE 18 inch thick concrete walls;
I remember walking down Varick Street then making a left on to King Street you could feel the energy of the subBASS harmonics from inside the club - right there, you knew it was on. I have been fortunate to view the Gé¢s heaven ( The DJ booth of Larry Levan) watching Larry engineering the controls of his Urie knob mixer, digital delay and MOST IMPORTANT THE RICHARD LONG - SWEEPABLE PARAMETRIC CROSSOVER/ EQUALIZER was something to experience. Thank You! ! and Rest in Peace!! If you're ever in Baltimore, Maryland USA visit the PARADOX night club;
The sound system is about 40% of the power of the G , however, the music is about as TRUE GARAGE as its going to get! Finally, In my studio, I have a garage T-shirt and my last membership card framed also, written (on the T-shirt) is The old days were the best days and they shall return signed Larry Levan - PS my favorite track from The G was Odyssey by Johnny Harris on TK Disco Records -1977 (find it!). Peace!
Editor's Note: I was at the Paradox about four years ago. We were two busloads with DJ Kenny Carpenter and Singer Barbara Tucker ("Beautiful People").
I commended the guys behind the turntables. Truly a Garage "feel".
from: WAYNE COCHRANE INIKO98@AOL
THANKS, FOR GIVING PEOPLE LIKE ME A SITE ON THE WEB!!!KUDOS TO YOU. I HAVE BEEN A "DISCIPLE" OF THE "GARAGE"SINCE THE FIRST SET FOOT INTO 84 KING ST.. FROM THAT MOMENT ON MY ATTITUDE ABOUT MUSIC and ABOUT LIFE HAS CHANGE AND REMAINS THIS THIS WAY SOME 11 YEARS LATER. REMEMBERING BEING SO TIRED AT AROUND 3AM, THEN LARRY WOULD PUT E2-E4 ON THE 1200S, I WOULD RUN TO THE PUNCH BOWLREACH OVER GRAB A BANANA,dddddaaaammm mmn, SORRY IM GETTIN EMOTIONAL ,OPEN THE KNAPPY SNATCH THE POWDER, THROW IT TO THE FLOOR...
MAN I STILL HAVE MY MEMBERSHIP CARD IN MY POCKET STILL TO THIS DAY HOPING WHEN I ARRIVE TO THE AFTER LIFE I COULD POSSIBLY GO INTO 84 KING ST AGAIN LONG LIVE 84 KING STREET AND THE MEMORIES OF THE LIFESTYLE AND THE ATTITUDE THAT CAME FROM THIS MySTICAL MAGICAL PLACE. FROM E2-E4 AT 3 OR 4 IN THE MORNING TO BABY POWDER ON THE FLOOR. I'M TRYIN TO SAY SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN SAID. I CAN'T.
ALL I KNOW IS THAT THE FIRST TIME THAT I ENTERED 84 KING STREET MY LIFE AND ATTITUDE HAS CHANGED. I FINALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT DANCE IS, EXPRESSION IS AND WHAT HOUSE WAS ALL ABOUT. THANK YOU "GARAGE" FOR THE PUNCH BOWL, THE COUNTLESS BANANAS AND MY APPRECIATION OF REAL HOUSE MUSIC!!! PLEASE HELP ME CONSTRUCT MY MEMORIAL TO OUR LATE AND DEPARTED FRIEND,"THE GARAGE" AND MR. LEVAN. YOUR BROTHER IN PARADISE.
PEACE/LOVE/PARADISE
BLESS YOU!!!! WAYNE C.
from: Kevin Lincoln klincoln@compuserve.com
I'll never forget one nite at the Garage when Larry had this pumpin' track playing and on the screen next to the stage they were showing Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing and their moves were perfectly synched to Larry's beat. I stopped dead in my tracks as did so many others and we just stared at the screen until the track ended (I still got my membership cards just in case they open again!)
from: Law42@aol.com
Years ago, I was at another disco when a good friend came and said "I have just come from the greatest place on the planet!" He wanted us to leave and go with him to this place in the village. I had never been to the village but I was game for this as I live to dance. We pratically begged Michael Brody [the late owner of the Garage] to let us in. Once inside, I finally figured out why people who are hooked on drugs can't let go. I have never been hit with so much power, soul and meaning at one time as happened on this night. The music was unlike anything I had heard before..... Crown Heights Affair's "Say a prayer for two, Chaka's "Clouds", Grace's "Jamaican Guy" did to me like crack does to a crackhead.
That was 1983 and I haven't gone a day without thinking about that place.
The people,the music, the atmosphere and the love will stay with me forever. I was asked the other day "If I had 10 million dollars, what would I buy%?" I answered "A paradise on King St." I will miss that place and there will never be another one. If someone out there could let me know where to get a Larry Levan "The True Messiah" tape, I will name my next kid after them and be forever grateful.
LONG LIVE PARADISE.
from pjazz: pjazz@concentric.net
I am Peter Lightburn from the Montreal suburb of Brossard up in Canada. You can say I am an example of the Paradise Garage's far reaching influence.I started collecting 12 inches when I was 17 back in '82.One day I stumbled an article in DMR about some club in New York where party-ers came with whistles and tambourines and always had a whale of a time.
At the time the piece didn't click because I was uneducated about New York's disco underground.However I brought many 12 inches not even knowing that Larry Levan was pumping them at the Garage.By 1986 I started going to New York since it is my second home .One summer night I tuned into the WBLS and KISS mastermixes and bugged! When I got back to Montreal club jocks were telling me to check out the Paradise Garage next time I went to New York.(I got the lowdown from DJ Tony Desypris of SURE record pool.)
On Easter Sunday 1987 I attended the last Easter "White" Party ever held at the Garage and have never been the same.That sound system just knocked me out!I remember Larry pumping Touch"s "Without You" and the hypnotic effect it had on everyone in the place.You just don't see that where I come from.It was surreal watching the things people were doing their bodies that night.Since then I have tried as a dj and a writer to contribute to the precious legacy of the Paradise Garage!I hope I haven't bored anyone with this.To all the Garagers of the world I love you all.
from Eric Neff: ezneff@unistudios.com
I dig your site, it's great knowing there are still lots of people out there into great music. Have you heard the compilation called "GIVE YOUR BODY UP" CLUB CLASSICS & HOUSE FOUNDATIONS? I put that together for Rhino Records if you get a chance, give it a listen, & let me know what you think. It's 3 volumes loaded with the Garage classics.
from someone in Japan: sawanuma@mrj.biglobe.ne.jp
Very wonderful site!!! I love larry levan & paradise garage (but not enter). I experienced larry levan play night. oct 17 & 18 1992 in sapporo japan. club name is the wall. the wall is larry's last play place. thank you for that night & this site.
From Matthew Bourjaily: mpbourja@students.wisc.edu
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a senior at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and I was hoping you would be able to help me. I am currently enrolled in a class entitled "The Gospel Impulse," which traces the history and influence of gospel music throughout the 20th century. For my final paper in the class, I wish to write a cultural history/analysis of The Paradise Garage. I received your name from the Paradise Garage tribute web page.
Therefore, I was hoping you could share with me any stories, anecdotes, or any info at all you might have concerning the Paradise Garage. You can remain anonymous if you so desire. Also, if you have any information concerning publications (such as newspaper or magazine articles, pamphlets, etc.) which deal with either the Paradise Garage or Larry Levan (his work at the Garage is my secondary subject), I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you for your time,
From: jonra@juno.com
I must have those tapes. I'm a late comer. I visited D.C. in 1992 (I live in dallas) and was enlightened about house music. my spirit was so lifted I quit a well paying job and moved to d.c. so that I could be near the music all the time. stories of the paradise garage and it's demise made me yearn the experience but could not appreciate its absence to others--until now.I moved back to dallas in 1994 because of a higher paying job offer and after eight months of sheer depression and 2 1/2 years of denial (there are no true house djs or equally inspired clubkids in texas) I understand the sense of loss. there is NOTHING like dancin' to house music, simultaneously connecting with the dj and losing one's self in joy (sex cannot even touch the experience). the paradise garage is shangri-la--a mythical mecca lost to the ages. but surely, SURELY there will be a second coming? I may sound like a fanatic but this religion and its worship cannot die because of the unenlightened.
i MUST have those tapes.
From "Tracy Fortson": tfortson@nabr.org You have absolutely no idea how ecstatic I was to find fellow garage disciples. I almost cried upon my recent discovery of your website, and I cannot believe it has taken me sooooo long to connect to so much info, nostalgia, song titles & artists, and anything related to true-oldschool-real house music and the Garage experience. I grew up in and left NY back in '82 and went into complete and utter culture shock when I discovered that the Washington DC metro area had nothing to offer a true house music fanatic. Although I wasn't really old enough to go to the Garage, I atleast had Kiss FM and WBLS Tony Humphrey/Merlin Bobb/Shep Pettibone, etc. weekend house mixes. But from 1983-1987 I commuted as many weekends as possible to get to the Garage on Friday nights. I never even had a membership pass -- the gift of gab, true love for the music and the Creator enabled me to get in each and everytime I went. Some of the happiest times of my life were spent on that rocking-ass wooden dance floor.You may even remember me, a happy little light-skinned black girl with her hair in a ponytail, dressed kinda cute early in the evening but donning bike shorts and tee-shirt from my ever-present back-pack once I got going at about 3:30 a.m and completely losing my mind on the floor or on the stage. ( I'm only kidding -- I know I just described a good majority of the girls there.)
The last weekend the Garage was opened, because I was in school and broke as hell, I could not attend the festivities. I was depressed for months because not only was the Garage closing, I could not pay the proper homage and respect for the last time to my mecca. I knew then, and am eternally sad, that there would never, ever be anything comparable to the Garage. Adding salt on my wounds of despair, I later lost two cassettes taped from either Kiss or BLS which featured dance mixes "dedicated to the Paradise Garage for its years of devotion to dance music." If you have any idea where I might be able to find copies of those tapes, I would be forever grateful.
I await anxiously for your reply. In the meantime --
Thank you,thankyou,thankyou, thankyou,thankyou,thankyou P.S. Please forgive me for rambling, but it's like I said -- you just don't understand how happy I am now that I found you!! If this message is too long, though, let me know -- but I've got so many stories and memories, it's hard to contain myself. PPS: After reviewing your Discography of Paradise Garage and Shelter Classics I thought of one not listed -- unless I missed it. Sting -- FREE FREE SET THEM FREE!! Editor's Note: I wrote back to Tracy that, Yes Sting's song is not included on my list, as many songs are not.. As it says in the small print, the ones I've listed are the ones I have myself collected.. there are many not included. I do remember after Larry passed, and Timmy Regisford played that song at the Shelter... It really made me think of Larry.. I sat and cried. Peace!
From: Lorr1@aol.com I seem to remember a DJ named Roger from the PG. This must have been 1981-82. My husband owned a Disco in Romkomkoma NY back then and a Roger used to come to visit the "Mark V" DJ Vinnie Magipinto (Vinnie Magic) we called him Vinnie Tragic". Roger and Vinnie use to talk about the Garage all the time and Vinnie might have claimed to have been a guest DJ over their. Does this sound familiar? It's been a long time and all these Retro Discos have opened up. We have Poly Esters out in the Hamptons. We don't go to them because we can never get back the feelings from that era. It's almost depressing. I heard Sylvesters "Mighty Real" today and what a feeling of deja vu!
From: Coqui977@aol.comI just got on AOL a few days ago. I was amazed to see what you've done for the Paradise Garage. You Go!! I was a member of the Garage for over 6 years. There has never been, and there will never be, another place like it. The Garage is truly legendary in every sense of the word. I remember people complaining about Larry playing too much commerical stuff (records people heard on the radio) but I always said, "true, but you know what, you never heard those records sound like this on this awesome sound system!). Larry had the magic touch with whatever he played or touched. The sound of the system from outside of King Street always made my heart beat faster as I was nearing the Garage. I could never forget the feeling! Anyway, I wanna thank you for the superb job you did in compiling the discography, and the other great features you have created. I collect Garage Music and I just wanna share with you and others some of the other underground stuff that Larry played. Listed below is a partial list (I have over 1,200 songs he played and I'm still looking for at least 21 songs that I know he played). I'll keep sending you more songs from time-to-time:
From: Mike Latney, Orange NJ - mike-nice@usa.net I hit King St. and see the crowd. A virtual melting pot of culture come together so that Larry could play us all like his personal instruments. In a cloud on the roof,in the theater,on the dancefloor,next to the vaunted punchbowl. Me and the crew with powder stains on our sweats from the "SLIDE" that we felt to our core.Double barrel purple, Grace spittin',Friday til Sunday!! It was a state of mind that we experienced and the many have tried to replicate it my HUNGER remains the same. If the heads are out there,we can find that state of mind again-- omewhere at some time. Let's try to get it together. If we do it "THE HEADS WILL COME. HAIL LARRY!! THANX SO MUCH!!
From: "T Washington" - TWashin304@aol.comThe more I see, hear and feel the experince Paradise has made on so many people, the more obvious it becomes to me that it would only be fitting to pay tribute to this era and what it meant(MEANS) to so many people. With the tenth anniversary of its closing coming, I am certain with the right people we can experince the greatest party on Earth. I can't tell you what it would mean to me and I am sure so many others would want to "Do It One More Time". Please respond with your thoughts. I can be reached at 800-800-7759 Pin 236924. LETS DO IT !!!! FOR PARADISE!
Editor's Note: There was a GREAT(!!!!) birthday party in Larry Levan's honor (as there has been every year since his passing) at Body and Soul in NYC. Francois Kervorkian, one of the DJs at Body and Soul, was Larry's good friend to the end, and I believe posseses the most of Larry's live reel to reel mixes made at the Garage.
From: "Gabriel" - gabo3@aol.comHey,My name is Gabr iel Rotello. I'm a NYC journalist who is co-writing a book about the Paradise Garage. A memoir, actually, by Mel Cheren, who was the owner of West End Records and had been Michael Brody's lover. I'm looking for people with memories of the Garage. My email is gabo3@aol.com.Cheers, Gabriel
From: "Angel Colon" - acolon@santana.sbi.comAs many words the dictionary possesses, it's not enough to describe the Paradise Garage. It's like giving birth; you can talk about it endlessly - but you would never know until you've experienced.
From: "Steve Sukman" - steve@market2k.comMy most prominent memory is of the first night that I ever went to the Garage with my best friend Stevo, and being totally blown away by Larry playing and the crowd going wild to an import remix of the Clash/Mustafa Dance. At first, the record seemed so out of place...but then...I got it. I still have it.
from: Ralph Dorsinville - rdorsinville@kpmg.com My first night at the Garage Larry played Chaka Khan's 'Clouds', Third World's 'Now That We Found Love' and E2-E4 back-to-back sometime around 4:30 in the morning. I was exhausted from dancing so much but the music kept my body moving and my mind floating in the zone. The sister I was dancing with disappeared at some point during E2-E4. When I opened my eyes I was dancing with one of the columns on the dancefloor. You know what? I didn't give a damn. The 'G' is kicking ass to this day and we all hate talking about it because it's gone. You and I were all a part of it, lets be thankful for that.
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