Larry Levan

Larry Levan was an American DJ and producer known for his role as the driving force behind the famous gay-friendly disco Paradise Garage. Born on July 20, 1954 in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NYC, NY, he revolutionized dance music by mixing various genres including gospel, reggae, Philly soul, Euro-disco, rock, post-punk and ambient music. Levan's technical skill and audio expertise were unmatched as he custom-designed the Garage's sound system and DJ booth. He created disorienting sound effects and manipulated audio to throw sound around the room with precision.

Levan began his career at The Loft in the early 1970s before joining Paradise Garage when it opened in 1976. After the closure of Paradise Garage in 1987, he continued to make guest appearances at clubs like Studio 54 and Palladium while regularly DJ-ing at The Choice. Despite its smaller scale compared to Paradise Garage, The Choice became a home for Levan where he cast his psychedelic spell on a diverse crowd of devoted fans.

Tragically, Larry Levan passed away on November 8th, 1992 at Beth Israel Medical Center due to heart failure caused by endocarditis. His legacy lives on through his groundbreaking contributions to dance music and his ability to push boundaries within the genre.

Filter

Larry Levan
Genre
Product type
Format
Label

Options


Release Date

Most Relevant