Rick Squillante
Encyclopedia
Rick Squillante was a nightclub
Disc Jockey
and Record Industry representative and producer who rose to fame during the 1980s as the principal DJ at the famed Starck Club in Dallas, Texas
. He has been noted as a major influence on many of today's modern DJs in the dance music
trade.
, who performed on opening night along with Grace Jones
on Memorial Day weekend of 1984. The nightclub became an uncommon celebrity hangout, attracting the likes of Robert Plant
, Annie Lennox
, Prince
and Rob Lowe
. It was noted as one of the first locations where the drug MDMA became popular. Squillante is credited with breaking several hit dance records while a DJ at the Starck Club, including Uptown Girl's version of (I Know) I'm Losing You
, which reached No. 85 on Billboard's Hot 100. Squillante's mixes emphasized multiple genres including European Techno
and Synthpop
, highlighted by such bands as Pet Shop Boys
, New Order
, Yaz
, Heaven 17
and Section 25
.
. He moved to the city in 1989 and was hired at Virgin Records
in Beverly Hills, which became a directorship of Virgin's dance department in New York
. In 1993, Squillante was the Executive Producer of a Virgin Records compilation CD "Aural Opiates", which included tracks by Heaven 17 and Massive Attack
(reviewed in Issue No. 2 of CMJ New Music Monthly
). During this time, Squillante helped Janet Jackson's
career become an international success and was awarded his own label imprint, Virgin Underground (VU), dedicated to innovative club-based music. The label creation was triggered by the success of a one-off underground club single Squillante signed from Philadelphia techno/house DJ and producer Josh Wink, released under his Size 9 alter ego, entitled "I Am Ready." With little fanfare, the record topped the Billboard Dance Chart and became a pop success throughout Europe. "That little record -- which no one expected a lot from -- was suddenly a huge international hit," Squillante told Billboard in January 1997. "The next step was to see if we could make that happen again." He moved to New York City
and Virgin Underground released singles from Swedish producer DJ Pierre J, Los Angeles-based Groove Junkies, and, most notably "Spin Spin Sugar" from British trip-hop forerunners Sneaker Pimps. The club mixes, released on Virgin Underground featured a reworking from New York producer and remixer extraordinaire Armand Van Helden. Heavily influenced by the burgeoning UK drum and bass movement, Van Helden incorporated its trademark sub bass sounds into his rugged "Dark Garage Remix." The record peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart, but caused a sensation in the UK. Many credible DJs, producers and dance music historians cite it as the record that invented "Speed Garage," a house music sub-genre popular in the late '90s, characterized by skittering four-on-the-floor beats and deep, oozing bass parts. Despite these successes, music industry mergers and cutbacks put VU Records on the chopping block and Squillante was eventually laid off by Virgin Records
in 1998. During the following years, he was not involved in the music or DJ industry and most people acquainted with him said he simply "dropped out of the scene." On April 21, 2001, for unknown reasons, Squillante committed suicide.
, noted Squillante's influence in a March 2006 interview calling him "the original hero of the Starck Club who showed me the way." Hampton also said, "Much like Nicky Siano was (Studio) 54’s
legend, Starck’s major DJ force, the late Rick Squillante, broke new ground – night after night. His flawless mixing and uncanny ability to merge disparate parts into a magnificent sum will forever be the standard for Starck disciples."
He is known within today's DJ industry as one of the early pioneers of dance music and the contemporary nightclub scene.
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
Disc Jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
and Record Industry representative and producer who rose to fame during the 1980s as the principal DJ at the famed Starck Club in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. He has been noted as a major influence on many of today's modern DJs in the dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
trade.
History
Rick Squillante started his career in the late 1970s in San Antonio, Texas, eventually becoming the resident DJ at the city's popular dance club Bonham Exchange. After several years at the venue, Rick moved on to become the principal DJ at Dallas' Starck Club. Designed by Phillippe Starck and financed by Dallas businessman Blake Woodall, the club's investors included music star Stevie NicksStevie Nicks
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
, who performed on opening night along with Grace Jones
Grace Jones
Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
on Memorial Day weekend of 1984. The nightclub became an uncommon celebrity hangout, attracting the likes of Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
, Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A...
, Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
and Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe
Robert Hepler "Rob" Lowe is an American actor. Lowe came to prominence after appearing in films such as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues, About Last Night..., St. Elmo's Fire, and Wayne's World. On television, Lowe is known for his role as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing and his role as Senator Robert...
. It was noted as one of the first locations where the drug MDMA became popular. Squillante is credited with breaking several hit dance records while a DJ at the Starck Club, including Uptown Girl's version of (I Know) I'm Losing You
(I Know) I'm Losing You
" I'm Losing You" is a 1966 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy label and produced by Norman Whitfield.- History :...
, which reached No. 85 on Billboard's Hot 100. Squillante's mixes emphasized multiple genres including European Techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
and Synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
, highlighted by such bands as Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
, New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
, Yaz
Yazoo (band)
Yazoo are a British synthpop duo from Basildon, Essex. They had a number of Top 10 hits in the UK charts in the early 1980s...
, Heaven 17
Heaven 17
Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating from Sheffield in the early 1980s. The trio comprises Martyn Ware , Ian Craig Marsh and Glenn Gregory...
and Section 25
Section 25
Section 25 is an English post-punk band, best known for its single "Looking from a Hilltop" and its association with the Manchester record-label, Factory Records.-Early recordings 1977 - 1982 :...
.
Record Industry
Through connections made at the Starck Club, Squillante eventually landed a job working for the Resource Record Pool in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He moved to the city in 1989 and was hired at Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
in Beverly Hills, which became a directorship of Virgin's dance department 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...
. In 1993, Squillante was the Executive Producer of a Virgin Records compilation CD "Aural Opiates", which included tracks by Heaven 17 and Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
(reviewed in Issue No. 2 of CMJ New Music Monthly
CMJ New Music Monthly
CMJ New Music Monthly was a monthly music magazine with interviews, reviews, and special features. Each issue included a compact disc with 15 to 24 songs by well established bands, unsigned bands, and everything in between...
). During this time, Squillante helped Janet Jackson's
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
career become an international success and was awarded his own label imprint, Virgin Underground (VU), dedicated to innovative club-based music. The label creation was triggered by the success of a one-off underground club single Squillante signed from Philadelphia techno/house DJ and producer Josh Wink, released under his Size 9 alter ego, entitled "I Am Ready." With little fanfare, the record topped the Billboard Dance Chart and became a pop success throughout Europe. "That little record -- which no one expected a lot from -- was suddenly a huge international hit," Squillante told Billboard in January 1997. "The next step was to see if we could make that happen again." He moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Virgin Underground released singles from Swedish producer DJ Pierre J, Los Angeles-based Groove Junkies, and, most notably "Spin Spin Sugar" from British trip-hop forerunners Sneaker Pimps. The club mixes, released on Virgin Underground featured a reworking from New York producer and remixer extraordinaire Armand Van Helden. Heavily influenced by the burgeoning UK drum and bass movement, Van Helden incorporated its trademark sub bass sounds into his rugged "Dark Garage Remix." The record peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart, but caused a sensation in the UK. Many credible DJs, producers and dance music historians cite it as the record that invented "Speed Garage," a house music sub-genre popular in the late '90s, characterized by skittering four-on-the-floor beats and deep, oozing bass parts. Despite these successes, music industry mergers and cutbacks put VU Records on the chopping block and Squillante was eventually laid off by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
in 1998. During the following years, he was not involved in the music or DJ industry and most people acquainted with him said he simply "dropped out of the scene." On April 21, 2001, for unknown reasons, Squillante committed suicide.
Influence
Many DJs reference the work done by Rick Squillante as having shaped and influenced the modern dance music scene. Wade Randolph Hampton, better known as "DJ WishFM" and featured in the film GrooveGroove (film)
Groove is a movie released in the year 2000; it portrays one night in the San Francisco underground rave scene. Through a single email, the word spreads that a huge rave is going to take place in an abandoned warehouse...
, noted Squillante's influence in a March 2006 interview calling him "the original hero of the Starck Club who showed me the way." Hampton also said, "Much like Nicky Siano was (Studio) 54’s
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...
legend, Starck’s major DJ force, the late Rick Squillante, broke new ground – night after night. His flawless mixing and uncanny ability to merge disparate parts into a magnificent sum will forever be the standard for Starck disciples."
He is known within today's DJ industry as one of the early pioneers of dance music and the contemporary nightclub scene.