An affair with music that started in the early 70s, who were the artists that first grabbed you that started this momentous journey for you…?
“It all started back in ’73 with MFSB’s ‘Love Is The Message. Without a doubt this is ‘Theee Mother’ of all anthems and I feel it paved the way for the future of house music. Ultimately, the early 70’s was mostly The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP) as well as Motown Records that did it for me. They both had countless amounts of artists whose sounds shaped me as a very young teenage DJ, barely 15. Another great example is ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ by Thelma Houston, which was originally done by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, and was also on TSOP.”
Who were the early DJs that influenced you to get behind the decks?
“Paul Casella was the first DJ I ever heard in the early 70’s. I was just 13, too young for clubbing but I started to collect his 8 track tapes. We still keep in touch and it was like a dream come true to meet my first mentor. I invited him and his family to my home. He stopped DJing in the early 80’s and is happily married. Larry Levan was the one that influenced me the most at the Paradise Garage from 1979 until it closed in 1987. Larry taught me how to entertain people and how to make them feel what I am feeling. It’s hard to describe this. Other major influences were Tony Humphries, David Mancuso, Shep Pettibone, Walter Gibbons, and another list that is never ending.”
You started DJing at a nightclub called Cheers in Miami, then moved back into New York and exploded with residencies at seminal places like Roxy, The Tunnel and Twilo. I remember a conversation we had in Miami once, you told me it was the vibe and memories of the legendary Paradise Garage club that made you leave Tunnel and switch to Vinyl. No alcohol available, a lot smaller than Tunnel – all about the music and the start of your ‘Be Yourself’ night… tell us about the big tunes there and what are your memories of that club – you really were a breath of fresh air there, any direction was chosen, you really portrayed your own personality and music with each night…?
“My biggest memory falls under the category of consistency, meaning: reuniting weekly with other friendly employees. There was always a full dance floor packed with music lovers and very passionate people. Part of the consistency was also breaking many new songs by having this weekly residency, where the climate is very different today. With monthly residencies and special events, you don’t really have this ability anymore. I must add that with this consistency was what I like to call something that I am very much known for, and that is The Element of Surprise. I learned a lot about this from listening to Larry and going to all kinds of clubs in NYC and watching people and what they responded too, including shows. This consistency led us all to become one big family at Vinyl/Arc for Five years and 3 months, and we won DanceStar Best Party in the US for 2 consecutive years in a row. 2001 & 2002 .”
You have remixed some of the best artists on the planet… Janet Jackson, Loleatta Holloway, Michael Jackson, Oletta Adams, Madonna, New Order, Jamiroquai, Bette Midler, Blondie, Depeche Mode, Grace Jones – what do you think have been your best remix works?
“I’ve always had a special place for every song I’ve done for Peter & Vanessa Daou. All four of their singles I’ve remixed went to #1 on the Billboard dance chart. Others titles are: ‘Only You’ – Kimara Lovelace, ‘Little Fluffy Clouds’ – The Orb, ‘Nothing is Real but the Girl’ – Blondie, ‘Flash’ – Green Velvet, ‘Thriller’ – Michael Jackson (Unreleased 1994) and ‘I Feel Loved’ – Depeche Mode – which I was nominated for a Grammy in 2002 for Best Remix of a Dance Single.”
So Miami WMC is looming, the best week on the clubbing calendar… Ibiza is the season for the clubbers, but Miami is THE week. You started your night at Groovejet but outgrew it and moved to the fabulous Space where I have seen Carl Cox dancing on the speakers, Fatboy Slim gurning like a good ‘un and Dave Beer ALWAYS leading the party. Your participation with the crowd is obviously SO important, why do you think that the majority of other DJs don’t get involved with their crowd?
“Conference week is a time for interacting, mingling, schmoozing, shopping demos, and now that we are in a time where DJ booths have become stages and platforms, if DJ’s are not interacting with the audience or putting on a good show, there better be some really good music coming out of those speakers or the DJ is not gonna get much attention. DJ’s have to respect themselves as entertainers. Minimal interaction is OK too, but zero interaction is very boring to punters.”
What has been your craziest night EVER in Miami?
“This is the night that started back around 1993-1994, it sort of painted the picture for what was to come for a few years at Groove Jet. Feel What You Want’ by Kristine W. was my biggest choon of the night. I had just gotten the promo on Cheeky and when she finally met me years later she said: “I always knew it was you that helped break me as an artist with my first song at the WMC”…. I was floored by that. I also recall playing a lot of songs on Tribal records by The Underground Sound of Lisbon, Murk and Deep Dish, to name a few.”
What has been your biggest 3 Miami tunes over the years?
“I recall having an exclusive on The Basement Boy’s production of ‘Gypsy Woman’ by Crystal Waters in like 1993, and most definitely ‘Music Is The Answer’ by me featuring Celeda and also our other collaboration: ‘Be Yourself’. These were all instant classics throughout the nights and played a few times. The rest is history…”
What do you think is the best album ever made?
( I have to name two sorry)
SOUL – Marvin Gaye – ‘What’s Going On’
and
ROCK – Pink Floyd ‘Dark Side of the Moon’
You have DJ’d for some very high profile people… who has been rocking the dancefloor and you’ve looked up and thought, wow…?
“Bono at Twilo 1997, who overnighted me a 6 pack of Guinness in gratitude for his enjoyment, and I’ll never forget it. Other than that it would be my peers, colleagues and friends on the dancefloor at my WMC parties at Groovejet and Space. I can vividly recall the most unique moments that are now long gone. To see all in one room such top DJ’s as Carl Cox, Paul Oakenfold, Lil Louie Vega, Farley & Heller, Cevin Fisher, Sasha & Digweed, Ralph Falcon & Oscar G, Armand Van Helden, Pete Tong, The Def Mix crew, Barbara Tucker and many many others. A highlight that surprised the crowd was when Yoko Ono performed my remix of: “Walking On Thin Ice” directly from the DJ booth. Heads were turning in disbelief! I guess my first LP ‘Hard & Soul’ really was saying a mouthful.”
We’ve talked about your remix work, but you have also released so much of your own production and compilations – what are your favourites?
‘Music is the Answer’ and ‘Be Yourself’ featuring Celeda
‘Elements’ – Danny Tenaglia
‘Bottom Heavy’ – Danny Tenaglia
‘Before’ – The Pet Shop Boys
‘Harmonica Track’ – Soulboy
‘World of Plenty’ – Danny Tenaglia
‘Loft in Paradise’ Danny Tenaglia feat. Peter Daou
Compilations: Mix This Pussy, Choice Classics, GU Athens & London, Back to Basics and the latest, Futurism!
So we leave the club with Danny Tenaglia and head back to your place, what are your ‘Back To Mine’ chilled grooves we’d be listening to?
‘Hold me tighter in the Rain’ – Billy Griffin
‘Magic Number’ – Herbie Hancock
‘Can’t Play Around’ – Lace
‘E=MC2’ – Giorgio Moroder
‘Lust’ – Seven Deadly Sins
‘African Dance’ – Soul 2 Soul
‘What about this Love’ – Mr. Fingers
‘Ask The Mountains’ – Vangelis
‘The Rain Song’ – Led Zeppelin
‘Because’ – The Beatles
You have DJ’d everywhere from Tokyo to Timbuktu… what clubs and cities are close to your heart?
“New York is home and there is no place like home. Miami, I’ve been participating in the WMC for 23 years and it is a very special week out of the year. After that it would have to be at club Space in Ibiza and various cities in Italy, especially Napoli. Oh, also London and Dublin and all throughout the entire UK!”
What is the funniest fancy dress piece you have worn whilst DJing?
“Me and Tim Sheridan DJing behind the bar at Bora Bora in Ibiza, I was wearing a motorcycle helmet and needless to say, it was not mine! Tim put it on me and naturally there was also the issue of attempting to mix while your head while wearing a helmet! We mighta been ‘onnit? That was back in 2000 & those days are looong gone, but they are etched in my heart forever. I can recall so many smiles.”
What will Tenaglia 2009 Miami be bringing us?
“A lot of the usual mayhem, late night sessions downtown where it will be Pahca @ Parkwest and my special guest are The Martinez Brothers. Then I will do a New York style “classics party” at Score on South Beach, an after Ultra Party and a pool party at the Shelborne.”
What is coming up for you in 2009?
“Lots of “changes”… Expect the unexpected. It’s what I do best.”
Thank you Danny…
“Thank you Dan and to everyone @ DMC for many, many years of support. With peace & respect to all.
Danny Tenaglia x
