Monday, December 10, 2007

'The Godfather Of Disco'

Mel Cheren & Grace JonesAs noted previously on this blog, legendary disco label West End Records founder Mel Cheren died on Saturday due to AIDS complications. Cheren, aka "The Godfather of Disco" was the driving force in '70s gay disco culture, financially backing the legendary gay nightclub the Paradise Garage, home to deejay Larry Levan. Cheren helped put out some of disco's greatest records including Loose Joints' Is It All Over My Face, Michele's Disco Dance, Taana Gardner's Heartbeat, Billy Nichols's Give Your Body Up To The Music, and many many more. In the 1980's Cheren spent most of his time dedicated to being an activist in the HIV/AIDS community and earlier this year, Cheren's biography, My Life and the Paradise Garage: Keep On Dancin', was turned into the documentary film The Godfather Of Disco. Mel Cheren is a true legend, whom's legacy and contributions will forever stand the test of time.

In tribute to Mel Cheren, here is one of my favorite West End tracks, the Bomber's 1979 disco classic (Everybody) Get Dancin' - A hi-energy disco gem produced by Pat DeSerio.

Bombers - (Everybody) Get Dancin'

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