Product Description

DJs like Fatboy Slim, Sasha and Paul Oakenfold are the new pop stars: high priests in the rapidly expanding world of dance music. Drawing on many nights out, this is DJ Dave Haslam's fascinating collection of portraits of the major players. Dave Haslam travels Britain to meet clubbers and promoters: hangs out with Sasha in Glasgow, Fatboy Slim in Nottingham, Paul van Dyk in Cardiff, Norman Jay at the Southport Soul Weekender, and Lottie in Newcastle. He meets influential DJs like Pete Tong, pioneers including Jimmy Savile, younger DJs, and unknowns. He interviews mod DJs from the 1960s, Northern Soul DJs from the 1970s and rare groove DJs from the 1980s. He follows aspiring turntablists in the DMC mixing championship, from the heats in Birmingham to the world final. Among the exclusive stories and tall tales, we hear about the millionaire DJ who went to a friend's wedding dressed as a bee, the Radio One DJ who emptied a dancefloor in Ibiza, and the DJ who set a girl's hair on fire. This is a unique, entertaining and revealing book, where the tables are turned and the world of dance music is seen through the eyes of DJs, their fans and their managers. It's a book that will be enjoyed by dedicated clubbers and anyone curious to know more about a vital but under-documented part of modern music: the history of dance music and the rise of the superstar DJs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #189001 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Review
'Having checked his DJ ego in at the cloakroom, Haslam roams far and wide in his journey, unafraid of the less glamorous fringes of DJ culture. Haslam emerges as a thoroughly likeable, self-deprecating character. Haslam demonstrates a genuine warmth and passion for his subject, coupled with a scholarly attention to detail.' Q Magazine 'He is one of the most erudite and incisive commentators on club culture. This book crosses the gulf that exists between music industry reportage and genuine social documentation.' i-D Magazine 'This book cuts through the hype and describes the reality of DJs' experience in a way only a one-time resident DJ of the Hacienda could.' Dazed & Confused 'Rave on and, read on.' Jockey Slut

About the Author
Dave Haslam DJ-ed at the Hacienda through the 'Madchester' years and has since DJ-ed regularly at clubs like Home and 'Cream', and round the world, including Ibiza, Chicago, Paris, Berlin, Zurich and Detroit. He has played gigs with dozens of bands, including the Stone Roses and New Order. Among his current residencies are 'Golden' and 'Tonto Bongo' (Manchester), and 'Strictly Handbag' (Dublin). He has written for NME, the FACE and the OBSERVER.

Customer Reviews

Not as good as Manchester, England
As a music fan with an avid interest in the cult of the DJ I bought this book expecting it to be of a similiar calibre to Haslam's first book,the excellent "Manchester England". However, this was not to be. It isn't as detailed or detached, but is instead more like the memoirs of the author.
Perhaps the problem lies in the subject matter - there is a lack of good writing about dance music and DJs out there. It's hard to translate the often drug-induced mayhem to the page.
Haslam can write well and evoke an atmosphere admirably, but this book was still something of a let-down

Smart
Manchester, England was a great book; and this is a great book, but different. There is much more in the way of reportage, some of which is very funny - Haslam clearly knows what questions to ask. The chapter on the Southport Soul Weekender is fantastic. Top stuff.