Paradise Garage

The former home of the Paradise Garage on King Street.

The Paradise Garage was a discotheque notable in the history of modern dance and pop music, as well as LGBT and nightclub cultures^[1][2][3] It was founded by Michael Brody (its sole proprietor). Paradise Garage was located at 84 King Street, in the Hudson Square neighborhood of New York City. It operated from 1977 to 1987 and was the base for resident DJ Larry Levan. The club's name derives from its origins as a parking garage. The Paradise Garage's business model was largely inspired by David Mancuso's private, invitation-only DJ parties at The Loft: no liquor was served, there were no sales of food or beverages, and the club was not open to the general public.^[4]

The sound system was developed, designed, and installed by Richard Long of Richard Long & Associates (RLA), and was said by those who attended to be the best in New York City at that time.^[5] The club has been credited for its influence on the development of the modern dance club as it is in the 2000s; unlike other clubs of its time, the Paradise Garage was focused on dancing rather than verbal interaction, and it was the first to put the DJ at the center of attention.^[5] It was known for its enthusiastic, yet unforgiving nature if a performer was struggling. Musicians who have attended include Diana Ross^[6] and a young Madonna.^[5]

In 1979, Tim Curry released the album Fearless with the single "Paradise Garage" with lyrics about visiting this New York discotheque.^[7][8]

Among those to benefit from what became known as "The Garage Sound" or "Garage Music" was Mel Cheren's own New York label West End Records. Among West End's successes were "Sessomatto" by Sessa Matto, "Hot Shot" by Karen Young, "Heartbeat" by Taana Gardner (remixed by Levan), "Do It to the Music" by Raw Silk, and "Don't Make Me Wait" by the Peech Boys (produced by Levan). West End Records folded for a number of years, re-opening in the late 1990s and releasing one of Levan's DJ sets recorded live at the Garage.

The building which housed the Paradise Garage is now a facility for Verizon Communications. As of 2008, the Paradise Garage trademark is now owned by Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC).

Music

The unique and eclectic styles of disco and dance music played at the Garage gave rise to the descriptive terms "New York house", "garage", "garage style", and "garage classic" to describe a record that was made famous at or is associated with the Paradise Garage. When the term "garage music" is used in reference to the Paradise Garage, it does not exclusively mean house music, although certain house tracks may be considered to be garage classics.

House music as a genre originated with the Paradise Garage's house DJ Larry Levan and his contemporaries, Frankie Knuckles and Nicky Siano. These DJs played all kinds of music at the Paradise Garage so long as it was danceable - for example The Clash and The Police as well as traditional "disco" artists like Gwen Guthrie and Sylvester. Levan is remembered for his ability to seamlessly play music from different genres.

The term "garage" has changed meaning over time, see UK garage for a more detailed description. This form of music is not related to garage rock.

Performers

2 Puerto Ricans, a Blackman, and a Dominican Colonel Abrams Noel Pagan Gayle Adams Patti Austin Baltimora B. B. & Q. Band Claudja Barry Carl Bean Celi Bee Taka Boom Pattie Brooks Jocelyn Brown Miquel Brown Peter Brown Sharon Brown C-Bank Camille [9] Change Cheyne Linda Clifford Natalie Cole Willie Colón Company B The Cover Girls Tim Curry E.G. Daily Sarah Dash Cory Daye Divine D. Train Duran Duran ESG First Choice Samantha Fox Marshall Jefferson France Joli Freeez Taana Gardner[5] Siedah Garrett Gary's Gang Gloria Gaynor[5] Georgio Gwen Guthrie

Curtis Hairston Hanson & Davis Keith Haring[6] Dan Hartman[5] Nona Hendryx Jennifer Holliday Loleatta Holloway[5] Thelma Houston Whitney Houston Al Hudson[5] Rhetta Hughes Phyllis Hyman Imagination James Ingram Dee D. Jackson Debbie Jacobs Peter Jacques band France Joli Grace Jones The Jones Girls[5] Kid Creole and the Coconuts Madleen Kane Chaka Khan[5] Evelyn 'Champagne' King Fern Kinney Jean Knight Konk George Kranz Patti LaBelle[5] Cyndi Lauper Amanda Lear Paul Lekakis Lime Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam Loose Ends Cheryl Lynn Madonna[6] (who also filmed her first music video, "Everybody", here) Nancy Martinez Hugh Masekela Janice McClain Stephanie Mills Melba Moore Meli'sa Morgan Mr. Fingers Alicia Myers Nayobe

New Order Klaus Nomi Nu Shooz Odyssey Dennis Parker Paul Parker Peech Boys Bonnie Pointer The Pointer Sisters Positive Force Quando Quango Fonda Rae Sheryl Lee Ralph Sharon Redd The Ritchie Family Barbara Roy Diana Ross[6] Arthur Russell Sinitta Sister Sledge Frankie Smith Stacey Q Candi Staton Amii Stewart Sybil Sylvester The System Evelyn Thomas Tasha Thomas Judy Torres Liz Torres Unlimited Touch Luther Vandross Táta Vega Was (Not Was) Jody Watley The Weather Girls Wham! Deniece Williams Precious Wilson Betty Wright Syreeta Wright Yaz Karen Young Harry Dennis|The IT|Harry Dennis (musician)

See also

• List of electronic dance music venues
• Media related to Paradise Garage at Wikimedia Commons

References

1. Violette, Richard (2000). "Review of My Life and The Paradise Garage". Library Journal.
2. Cheren, Mel; et al. (2000). My Life and The Paradise Garage: Keep On Dancin'. ISBN 0-9678994-0-0.
3. Pareles, Jon (June 18, 2000). "Paradise Garage, a Gay Club That Forever Changed Night Life". New York Times. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
4. Broughton, Frank & Brewster, Bill (2000). "Larry Levan's Paradise Garage". DJ History.
5. "Larry Levan's Paradise Garage". DJ History.
6. Martin, Douglas (December 21, 2007). "Mel Cheren, 74, an Entrepreneur of Disco, Dies". New York Times.
7. "Tim Curry’s "Paradise Garage" Reviewed - rock nyc". rocknycliveandrecorded.com.
8. "Tim Curry Official Music Video - Paradise Garage - Superb Quality!". YouTube.
9. Geernick, Jan. "A History Of Garage Music". jahsonic.com. Retrieved April 2015.

External links

• "Dedicated to the Memory of the Paradise Garage". AGarageTribute.com.
• "Disco pioneer Mel Cheren dies at 74". Resident Advistor.
• "Good Night Mr. Lewis, Five Easy Pieces: The Best Nightclubs in the History of New York City". BlackBook. August 26, 2009.
• "Paradise Garage". Disco-Disco.com.
• "Patrons' Recollections". TheParadiseGarage.net.
• "West End Records". WestEndRecords.com.

Coordinates: 40°43′40″N 74°00′23″W / 40.72791°N 74.00645°W