Bill Brewster is a pivotal figure in dance music; renowned as a DJ, writer, and music historian whose career spans journalism, performance, and curation. With a career spanning 40 years, he co-authored the seminal book Last Night a DJ Saved My Life with Frank Broughton, a definitive history of DJ culture, and wrote How to DJ (Properly), offering practical guidance for aspiring DJs. Also: The Record Players & How to DJ Right. Brewster also co-founded Djhistory.com, a vital online archive for dance music narratives, he is the host of the Bill Brewster Podcast with over 700 episodes.
In this episode, Robert & Bill discuss Bill’s work, DJ history, philosophy around DJing and dance music and more.
OUTLINE:
0:00 – Introduction
3:45 – Bill’s DJ Origin Story
9:03 – Northern Soul, Soul Boys, Rave Culture
13:13 – DJing, Ego & Vanity
15:54 – The Educational Role of the DJ?
20:43 – How Bill DJs (Spoiler; no preparation)
22:48 – The Lord of the Dance
33:12 – Modern Night Clubs in Decline?
37:33 – What is the Soul of Disco Trying to Accomplish?
44:25 – Is Dance Music Still Counter Cultural?
47:58 – The Dance Floor is the Star
49:25 – The UK Import Obsession
57:22 – “Disco Sucks” Phenomena, How Do DJs Be Less Picky
1:03:19 – The True Power of the DJ & Enthusiasm
1:07:01 – NO REQUESTS
ON REPEAT, GUILTY PLEASURE, UNDER THE RADAR
- On Repeat: Teddy Pendergrass – You Can’t Hide From Yourself (Dmitri from Paris Edit)
- Guilty Pleasure: David Essex – Rock On
- Under the Radar:
- Sheena Easton – 101 – David Morales Def Mix
- Austin Ato – Control
PODCAST INFO:
Beyond the Decks is your guide to mastering the art and business of the DJ, electronic and dance music industry.
Get New Episodes Straight To Your Inbox: https://start.learningtodj.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-decks-podcast-with-robert-simoes-learningtodj-com/id1758609395
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/34jVG0wkfNyinasE9G2jln
RSS: https://learningtodj.com/podcast/feed/
Youtube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@learningtodj
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Twitter/X: https://x.com/robert_x_world
Instagram: https://instagram.com/learningtodj
Robert’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/robertsimoesmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Learningtodjcom/61556544425570/
