This episode of the Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor features the very talented DJ, Wayne Scott. He was one of the original DJ's that opened Studio 54 in 1977 as well as having had numerous residencies at popular dance clubs in both Manhattan and on Fire Island. I hope that you enjoy learning about Wayne Scott, truly one of the OG influencers of today’s Dance Music Culture.

A Lighting Panel with Special Guests Ken Billington, Paul Gregory Jason Kantrowitz and Anne Militello - interviewed by Marsha Stern The Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor® # 012

I’m honored to be joined by Ken Billington, Paul Gregory, Jason Kantrowitz and Anne Militello, ALL award winning lighting designers, as we discuss how lighting, while not necessarily thought of as music typically is, is both an integral and highly influential part of the overall experience. We talk about their numerous projects across a variety of disciplines including Broadway, Concert Touring and Architectural Installations with the common denominator between us being we all have had at least one toe, if not an entire foot in the Disco/NYC Club scene late 70’s-early 80’s. Along with tales and back-stories from their various you’ll learn how they’ve influenced so much of today’s culture and our visual experiences with their creativity and contributions over the years and how the basic premise of the ‘Heartbeat’ remains consistent in the creative process.

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Please join me as I share behind the scene stories that led to the creation of the Pines Pavilion. Opening in May of 1980, it has been continuously operating ever since albeit under a variety of owners over the years. My story begins about a year before that opening night when the seeds were sown by me and my freinds, innocent fantasies during the summer of 1979 that resulted in a new venue at the harbor in the Spring, welcoming the Pines residents. Over the years there have been many changes to the building including a complete rebuild due to a fire in 2011. Through it all The (Pines) Pavilion remains a beloved part of the Fire Island Pines Harbor and community.

Remembering Roy Thode with Special Guests Scott Bromley, John Ceglia, Martin Dow, Bob Howard, Robbie Leslie & Bobby Viteriti interviewed by Marsha Stern The Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor® # 010

I am joined by Scott Bromley, John Ceglia, Martin Dow, Bob Howard, Robbie Leslie & Bobby Viteriti as we gather together to tell stories and remember the genius of Roy Thode, who was an iconic ground-breaking DJ during the heyday of Disco. From his debut in the early-70’s until his untimely passing in 1982, Roy left an indelible mark that endures today. Those techniques he employed in his craft of creating a musical journey have translated through time as today’s dance music audience enjoys a great many effects that are now made possible through technology that just didn’t exist in the analog world of Disco. However more than his technological prowess, Roy Thode is remembered as someone who touched the lives of so many, bringing fond memories to those that were a part of his culture at the time and also bringing a smile to a fresh, new audience of listeners who can experience his unique musical style through the internet. I know that is something that he would be very proud of.

Bill Bernstein interviewed by Marsha Stern Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor® # 009

Internationally celebrated portrait and documentary photographer Bill Bernstein views photography as anthropology. Since beginning his career at the Village Voice in the 1970s, his methodology has been one of researching and representing contemporary cultures and sub-cultures through photography. The breadth of Bernstein’s career has been spent peeking into contemporary "tribes"—including New York City’s late 1970's notorious night scene and a 15 year span touring at Paul McCartney’s side as his personal photographer—and apprehending their unseen dynamics, as well as the subtleties of his individual subjects’ lives.

Bill has just released his latest book: Last Dance which chronicles NYC 1970’s club culture with all its style, fashion, fun and fantasy!!

He is also the author of three previously released books: Night Dancin’ (Ballantine Books, 1980), Each One Believing: Paul McCartney On Stage, Off Stage, and Backstage (Chronicle Books, 2004) and DISCO: The Bill Bernstein Photographs (Reel Art Press, 2015). Additionally his work is exhibited globally. He also currently services an international advertising and editorial clientele including National Geographic TV, Time Magazine, Elle, New York Philharmonic, Warner Brothers and HBO.

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A music business veteran for over 40 years, Ray has worked in marketing, promotion and A&R for various labels like London Records, TK Records, Atlantic Records and Warner Brothers Records where he was the head of their Dance Music Division. He then founded and presided over RFC Records, an imprint label of Warner Brothers Records. Through the years Ray has worked with many talented artists such as Al Green, The Rolling Stones, KC and the Sunshine Band, Grace Jones, Anita Ward, George McCrae, George Benson, B 52s, Devo, Peter Brown, Voyage, Boris Midney, Gino SOCCIO, Change, Chaka Khan, Rod Stewart , Ashford and Simpson. Ray signed Luther Vandross to his RFC label with the Gold album the GLOW of LOVE by CHANGE . Currently Ray is President of RFC Fresh RECORDS with artists Christopher Williams, Melissa Morgan, D train and new releases by Petawane, Ty Juan and Sons of Funk.

A bona fide legend in the Music Industry, DJ/Remixer/Producer Robbie Leslie has been performing on the international circuit for over 40 years. 
One of the last of the First-Generation DJs, he began his nightlife career on Fire Island in 1975. From there he moved to New York City, where the list of clubs at which he regularly performed reads like a ‘Who's Who’ of Big Apple nightspots: The Saint (and the Saint-At-Large), Studio 54, Underground, Private Eyes, Palladium, the Red Parrot, 12West and the Ice Palace. 
Recent gigs include clubs in London, Dubai, Budapest, Berlin, Moscow, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Toronto, St. Maarten, Punta Cana, and San Juan. After moving to South Florida, notable residencies include the Copa of Fort Lauderdale and Key West, Score and Twist in South Beach.
You can hear Robbie coast-to-coast in North America on his weekly SiriusXM Studio 54 Radio broadcasts of "Robbie Leslie Presents…" - Fridays at 9PM Eastern, 6PM Pacific, and on “Andy Cohen’s KiKi Lounge” - Thursdays 9PM Eastern, 6PM Pacific. robb

Early on Christina held the coveted position of guarding the velvet ropes for some of New York City’s most famous nightclubs including Studio54, The Palladium and 1018. One of her proudest accomplishments was creating and owning one of New York City’s most legendary dance clubs, The original Sound Factory on West 27th Street. She still enjoys producing events, many which benefit her favorite AIDs charities and various dog rescues.

David’s introduction to the New York club scene began in 1968 with his first job in 1970 at Club Sanctuary, one of New York’s premiere underground after-hour clubs. David’s friendship with Larry Levan began at Reade Street, owned by Michael Brody and where Larry was the DJ. After Reade Street closed, David took Larry and Michael to an empty space at 84 King Street. When Michael and Larry entered the building and saw the ramp to the second level Larry turned to David and said, “thank you, this will be our new home.” And so began the 10-year reign of the Paradise Garage. From the beginning David worked a variety of jobs at The Paradise Garage, including monitoring the door of the VIP room/DJ Booth. A few years later he added For The Record with Judy Weinstein to his resumé. This was New York’s largest record pool, which consisted of 125 top DJs. In 1985 David began opening for Larry at The Garage which in turn was the beginning of his own prolific DJ career.

Tim Lawrence, perhaps best known in the USA as the author of Love Saves the Day: A History of American Dance Music, 1970-79, Hold On to Your Dreams: Arthur Russell and the Downtown Music Scene, 1973-92 and Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, 1980-83 he is also a Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of East London, where he’s taught since 1999. Additionally Tim is the co-founder of Lucky Cloud Sound System, which has been putting on Loft parties since 2003, initially with David Mancuso; and also All Our Friends, an invite-only audiophile party that draws much of its influence from the Loft as well as offshoot parties such as Beauty and the Beat in London and Joy in NYC. You can also hear Tim on his podcast “Love is the Message“