Richie Kaczor
Encyclopedia
Richie Kaczor was among the earliest DJs during Disco
's infancy in the 1970s.
Starting his DJ career in New Jersey
, Richie played at clubs in New York
and surrounding states before being asked by nightclub owners Steve Rubell
and Ian Schrager
to start as a resident at the famous Studio 54
, which was just about open. Kaczor, along with another DJ Nicky Siano
were the two original DJs to play there with Richie playing on the weekends and Nicky during the weeknights.
Perhaps Richie's most noticeable legacy to Disco while DJing at Studio 54 was his championing of Gloria Gaynor
's track 'I Will Survive
', a song which hit the charts and is widely accepted as a Disco anthem. Nicky Siano asserts that it was Richie who first noticed the track and turned it into a success, originally a B-side to 'Substitute'. In fact it became so well associated with Studio 54 that fellow DJs from Richie's time were amazed when the song was not included in the sound track to '54
', a movie based on Studio 54. Tom Moulton
, DJ and remixer associated with the development of the 12" dance single recalled: "Well, it can't be about Studio 54 then, because Richie played that record. It became his biggest record."
Kaczor died at the relatively young age of 40 in 1993 due to unknown circumstances. Although he is not as well remembered as his other contemporaries from the Disco era, the success he achieved with 'I Will Survive' can very much be seen as a tribute to his skills and craftmanship as a DJ.
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
's infancy in the 1970s.
Starting his DJ career in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, Richie played at clubs in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and surrounding states before being asked by nightclub owners Steve Rubell
Steve Rubell
Steve Rubell was an American entrepreneur and co-owner of the New York disco Studio 54.-Early life:Rubell and his brother Don spent their childhoods with their parents in Brooklyn, New York. His father worked for the U.S. Postal Service and later became a tennis pro...
and Ian Schrager
Ian Schrager
Ian Schrager is an American hotelier and real estate developer. Often associated with co-creating of the Boutique Hotel genre. Originally, he gained fame as co-owner and co-founder of Studio 54.-Early years:...
to start as a resident at the famous Studio 54
Studio 54
Studio 54 was a highly popular discotheque from 1977 until 1991, located at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, USA. It was originally the Gallo Opera House, opening in 1927, after which it changed names several times, eventually becoming a CBS radio and television studio. In 1977 it...
, which was just about open. Kaczor, along with another DJ Nicky Siano
Nicky Siano
Nicky Siano was a resident DJ at Studio 54. Siano was born in Brooklyn, New York.In 1971 at the age of 16 he got his first djing gig, with the help of Robin Lord, and in 1972 he opened The Gallery in SoHo, Manhattan with his older brother Joe Siano. At the time he was considered to be the best DJ...
were the two original DJs to play there with Richie playing on the weekends and Nicky during the weeknights.
Perhaps Richie's most noticeable legacy to Disco while DJing at Studio 54 was his championing of Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" , "Never Can Say Goodbye" , "Let Me Know " and "I Am What I Am" .-Early career:Gaynor was a singer with the Soul...
's track 'I Will Survive
I Will Survive
"I Will Survive" is a song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris...
', a song which hit the charts and is widely accepted as a Disco anthem. Nicky Siano asserts that it was Richie who first noticed the track and turned it into a success, originally a B-side to 'Substitute'. In fact it became so well associated with Studio 54 that fellow DJs from Richie's time were amazed when the song was not included in the sound track to '54
54 (film)
54 is a 1998 drama film written and directed by Mark Christopher, starring Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, and Neve Campbell...
', a movie based on Studio 54. Tom Moulton
Tom Moulton
Tom Moulton is an American record producer, and originator of the remix, the breakdown section, and the 12-inch single vinyl format.-Life and career:Thomas Jerome Moulton was born in Schenectady, New York, United States....
, DJ and remixer associated with the development of the 12" dance single recalled: "Well, it can't be about Studio 54 then, because Richie played that record. It became his biggest record."
Kaczor died at the relatively young age of 40 in 1993 due to unknown circumstances. Although he is not as well remembered as his other contemporaries from the Disco era, the success he achieved with 'I Will Survive' can very much be seen as a tribute to his skills and craftmanship as a DJ.
External links
- http://www.discomuseum.com/RichieKaczor.html
- http://www.disco-disco.com/djs/richie.shtml
- http://www.nickysiano.com