Larry Levan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Larry Levan
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Levan performing at the Paradise Garage
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lawrence Philpot |
| Born | July 20, 1954 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | November 8, 1992 (aged 38) Beth Israel Medical Center Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Garage house, club/dance, house, post-disco |
| Occupation(s) | DJ, music producer |
Larry Levan, born Lawrence Philpot (July 20, 1954 – November 8, 1992), was an American DJ and music producer. He was famous for being the main DJ at the New York City night club called the Paradise Garage. This club is often seen as the first modern dance club. Larry Levan was known for his amazing DJ sets, which some people called "Saturday Mass." He helped bring a new electronic sound to dance music, using drum machines and synthesizers. This new sound helped lead to the rise of house music. He also DJ'd at Club Zanzibar in the 1980s.
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Larry Levan's Early Life
Larry Levan was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Minnie and Lawrence Philpot. He had an older brother and sister who were twins. From a young age, Larry had a heart condition and asthma. This sometimes made him faint in class. Even though he was often sick, he was very good at math and physics. His teachers thought he might become an inventor.
Larry loved music because his mother loved blues, jazz, and gospel music. He learned to use a record player when he was only three years old. His mother would often ask him to put on records so they could dance together. When he was a teenager, he went to Erasmus Hall High School. He often stood out because he dyed his hair orange. He eventually left high school.
Later, Larry met David Mancuso, who was also a DJ. David introduced Larry to the exciting underground dance scene in Manhattan. David owned a special dance club called The Loft. It was in his home and only members could get in. Instead of alcohol, they served punch and candy. The Loft had a very advanced sound system. Larry was inspired by the idea of making "music that would never stop."
Larry Levan's Music Career
Larry Levan started his DJ career with his good friend Frankie Knuckles. They learned from another DJ named Nicky Siano. Nicky taught them a special way to DJ using three turntables. Larry's DJ style was a mix of different sounds. He liked the upbeat music of Philadelphia soul and rock, as well as jazz. Larry became very popular at clubs like SoHo Place.
In 1977, Larry became the main DJ at the Paradise Garage. This club was in Greenwich Village in New York City. It was a private club, only for members. At first, the club had a difficult start. But soon, it became very popular with a mix of people, including young black, Latino, and punk music lovers. The club had an amazing sound system designed by Richard Long & Associates.
Larry Levan became a very busy music producer and mixer in the 1980s. Many of the songs he worked on became popular on dance music charts. Some of his famous remixes included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Inner Life and "Heartbeat" by Taana Gardner. He also produced "Don't Make Me Wait" for a group he formed called the Peech Boys. This song had a strong gospel feel and a beautiful piano sound. Larry worked on this song for almost a year.
Larry's DJ sets at the Paradise Garage were unique. He played many different kinds of music, from Evelyn "Champagne" King to Kraftwerk. He was always at the forefront of dance music. Recordings from his last sets at the Paradise Garage show he was playing the new sounds of Chicago house and hip-hop.
The Paradise Garage closed in September 1987. Larry's friends helped him get back some of the club's sound equipment that he loved.
In the 1990s, Larry Levan started to make a comeback. Even though he was not as well-known in New York, he became very popular in Europe and Japan. In 1991, he went to London to DJ at the Ministry of Sound nightclub. He ended up staying for three months. During this time, he remixed songs and helped improve the club's sound system.
Later Life and Passing
Larry Levan passed away on November 8, 1992, at the age of 38. He had been in the hospital in New York. He died from heart failure.
Larry Levan's Legacy
Larry Levan is remembered as a very important DJ. In September 2004, he was honored and added to the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his great work as a DJ.
Many artists have paid tribute to Larry Levan:
- The dance group C+C Music Factory included a song called "A Moment of Silence for Larry Levan" on their 1994 album, Anything Goes!.
- The electronic music duo Matmos created a song called "Steam and Sequins for Larry Levan" on their 2006 album, The Rose Has Teeth in the Mouth of a Beast.
- The 2003 documentary Maestro talks about the underground dance music movement and Larry Levan's key role in it.
- In 2019, Corrado Rizza directed a documentary movie about Larry Levan called Larry's Garage.
See also
- LGBT people from New York City
