Books
Bill Brewster

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life

“A riveting look at record spinning from its beginnings to the present day . . . A grander and more fascinating story than one would think.” —Time Out London
This is the first comprehensive history of the disc jockey, a cult classic now updated with five new chapters and over a hundred pages of additional material. It’s the definitive account of DJ culture, from the first record played over airwaves to house, hip-hop, techno, and beyond.
From the early development of recorded and transmitted sound, DJs have been shaping the way we listen to music and the record industry. This book tracks down the inside story on some of music’s most memorable moments. Focusing on the club DJ, the book gets first-hand accounts of the births of disco, hip-hop, house, and techno. Visiting legendary clubs like the Peppermint Lounge, Cheetah, the Loft, Sound Factory, and Ministry of Sound, and with interviews with legendary DJs, Last Night a DJ Saved My Life is a lively and entertaining account of musical history and some of the most legendary parties of the century.
“Brewster and Broughton’s ardent history is one of barriers and sonic booms, spanning almost 100 years, including nods to pioneers Christopher Stone, Martin Block, Douglas ‘Jocko’ Henderson, Bob ‘Wolfman Jack’ Smith and Alan ‘Moondog’ Freed.” —Publishers Weekly
946 printed pages
Original publication
2014
Publication year
2014
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Quotes

  • Alicia Reyes Morenohas quoted2 years ago
    Great DJing is not just about tricksy mixing, it’s much more about finding amazing new songs and being able to pull them out at just the right moment. More than anything else, it’s how sensitively a DJ can interact with a crowd.
  • Alicia Reyes Morenohas quoted2 years ago
    he greatest DJs have always been driven by a burning need to share their music. As one DJ puts it, ‘DJing is two hours of you showing people what’s good.’
  • Alicia Reyes Morenohas quoted2 years ago
    To really pull it off you need to understand records in terms of their precise effects on an audience – you need to hear music in terms of its energy and feeling. All good DJs can distinguish fine nuances in music; they are sensitive to the complex set of emotions and associations that each song inspires, and they know exactly how each record’s style and tempo will impact on the room. This understanding is the foundation of the DJs’ improvisation, as they choose which record to play next.

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