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Francis Grasso "A Dj Legend"
All Rights Reserved. Iceman of Texas 2011
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7 March 2011
HISTORY OF THE DISC JOCKEY
By 1968, the number of dance clubs started to decline;
most American clubs either closed or were transformed
into clubs featuring live bands. Neighborhood block parties
that were modelled after Jamaican sound systems gained
popularity in Europe and in the boroughs of New York City.
In 1973, Jamaican-born DJ Kool Herc, widely regarded as
the "godfather of hip-hop culture," performed at block
parties in his Bronx neighborhood and developed a
technique of mixing back and forth between two identical
records to extend the rhythmic instrumental segment, or
break. Turntablism, the art of using turntables not only to
play music but to manipulate sound and create original
music, began to develop.
most American clubs either closed or were transformed
into clubs featuring live bands. Neighborhood block parties
that were modelled after Jamaican sound systems gained
popularity in Europe and in the boroughs of New York City.
In 1973, Jamaican-born DJ Kool Herc, widely regarded as
the "godfather of hip-hop culture," performed at block
parties in his Bronx neighborhood and developed a
technique of mixing back and forth between two identical
records to extend the rhythmic instrumental segment, or
break. Turntablism, the art of using turntables not only to
play music but to manipulate sound and create original
music, began to develop.
| Dj Kool Herc "Godfather of Hip Hop" |
A disc jockey (often DJ or deejay) is an individual who selects and plays pre-recorded music for the
enjoyment of others.
enjoyment of others.
Francis Grasso (March 25, 1949 - March 20, 2001) was
an American disc jockey from New York City, best
known for inventing the technique of slip-cueing and
later beatmatching (sometimes referred to as mixing or
blending) which is the foundation of the modern club
DJ's technique.
Francis started his DJ career in 1967 at a New York
City nightclub called Salvation II. When the primary DJ
Terry Noel failed to show up on time one night, the
owners offered Francis a chance at the job. The crowd
responded almost immediately and soon he had his first
regular gig. It was there and at subsequent New York
City clubs such as Tarots and his most famous
nightclub, Sanctuary — a former German Baptist
church at 43rd Street & 9th Avenue(featured in the
movie Klute) — where Francis perfected his craft.
an American disc jockey from New York City, best
known for inventing the technique of slip-cueing and
later beatmatching (sometimes referred to as mixing or
blending) which is the foundation of the modern club
DJ's technique.
Francis started his DJ career in 1967 at a New York
City nightclub called Salvation II. When the primary DJ
Terry Noel failed to show up on time one night, the
owners offered Francis a chance at the job. The crowd
responded almost immediately and soon he had his first
regular gig. It was there and at subsequent New York
City clubs such as Tarots and his most famous
nightclub, Sanctuary — a former German Baptist
church at 43rd Street & 9th Avenue(featured in the
movie Klute) — where Francis perfected his craft.
turntable while another played on the second turntable. By using headphones in combination with slip-cueing, he forever
changed the art of DJing. The records that Grasso was mixing used live drummers and not beat machines. It took
incredible skill and a good ear to mix these records for more than a few seconds which Grasso perfected to longer and
longer sequences.
The most impressive addition Grasso brought to DJ culture was music programming; the art of picking up on the energy
of the crowd and sending that energy right back to them through the next track. Early on, Grasso used Thorens
turntables although they were a far cry from the Technics turntables most DJs use in clubs today. Soon he taught others
and Grasso spread the art of mixing by maintaining a constant beat and working the crowd with the music throughout
New York.
Though he died in March 2001, the skills and techniques he pioneered remain the foundation of what is heard in a modern
nightclub. Francis is interviewed at some length in Josell Ramos' 2003 feature-length documentary Maestro about 70s NY
club DJs.
changed the art of DJing. The records that Grasso was mixing used live drummers and not beat machines. It took
incredible skill and a good ear to mix these records for more than a few seconds which Grasso perfected to longer and
longer sequences.
The most impressive addition Grasso brought to DJ culture was music programming; the art of picking up on the energy
of the crowd and sending that energy right back to them through the next track. Early on, Grasso used Thorens
turntables although they were a far cry from the Technics turntables most DJs use in clubs today. Soon he taught others
and Grasso spread the art of mixing by maintaining a constant beat and working the crowd with the music throughout
New York.
Though he died in March 2001, the skills and techniques he pioneered remain the foundation of what is heard in a modern
nightclub. Francis is interviewed at some length in Josell Ramos' 2003 feature-length documentary Maestro about 70s NY
club DJs.
