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| It Shouldn't Happen to a DJ
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As every DJ will know, sometimes the funniest things happen to you when you're working. In 38 years of DJing I have seen many things during shows which have left me wondering about life, the universe and everything else. I thought I would share a couple of my favourite moments with you all.
t is a well known fact that if there is an idiot around, he will be right in front of you where you cannot help but see, and often react in some way. So, there I was, playing my music in York Hall Baths (yes, where all those boxing matches were held). The gig involved 2,000 people attending an awards ceremony and there he was, a short, bald-headed chap bouncing around. At this point, I must explain that it was in the 70's and a "talent" program called Opportunity Knocks was on TV. The current winner was a man who hit himself over the head with a tin tray in time to Prince Buster's 'Mule Train'. Naturally, I decided to play it.
Mistake! Said gentleman recognised the music, ran off and soon returned with a tray. Mule Traiiiin! Whack. Down he goes. His friends pick him up, shakes him and all is OK. Unfortunately the music gets through before the brain is fully in control and he still has his tray. Whack. Over he goes, beautiful back flip and lands flat on his face. The track ends (this is vinyl and a single) and there is complete silence. 2000 puzzled party people stare at the stage, wondering why the music has stopped, to see the DJ on his knees beside the decks, helplessly crying with laughter. The tray man was fine once they brought him round and took away his tray!
Moving on 20+ years, I found myself in a Chinese restaurant in Gerrard Street doing a corporate Christmas party with my wife Carol. We had set up early and then come back after their meal at about 9pm. We needed the two hour break to recover from setting up, which involved ferrying gear from the end of the road (pedestrian precinct) then up to the 2nd floor (no lift).
On returning to the venue we discovered the meal still going on … and the whole lot, seated around big circular tables, singing "The Grand Old Duke Of York" at the top of their voices, complete with actions! Should we go away for a while? No, play some background music, please. Got any country? So, I put on Alan Jackson, while Carol started to sort the CDs and pull out the usual suspects. The crowd were soon yelling "Ye-Ha" to Chattahoochie. Then I was asked to play some rock'n'roll, and naturally I was happy to oblige. Then a girl leans over to Carol "Oh, you've got Saturday Night Fever. Can you play it?" When Carol asked which track to play, the girl replied, "All of it!"
I picked up the CD, put it on, first track? Stayin' Alive. They're off. The Peking duck, which was just put on the tables, goes flying as everyone in the place start dancing … on the tables! Waiters are going mad when the manager rushes in and decides to put food out buffet-style, just to get them down. We then discover that the tables, which seated 12, were actually circular boards sitting on small square tables. Ooops!
Written by Robbie Earl |
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The full article can be found in Pro Mobile Issue 32, Pages 28 - 30 |
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Copyright EJ Media 2003 - 2010
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