JOHNNY ROCKS
Producer // Club & Mixshow DJ
WKTU 103.5 FM (The Beat Of New York)
Sirius Satellite Radio "The Beat"
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MixMatters interview with DJ Johnny Rocks
Where did you grow up?
Queens & Manhattan in NYC.
Where do you live now?
Manhattan & Westchester County, NY.
Where have you lived before?
Florida, Virginia, Connecticut.
What got you started as a DJ?
Collecting 45's, LP's 12" Vinyl...Being a musician was easier for the transition...Watching other DJ's ...I also loved to dance...!! I loved the 12" vinyl record and how it sounded on a Turntable.
How long have you been a DJ?
Started as a DJ in 1978 doing private parties. My first club gig was in 1981... Began in Mixshow 1988.
What type of equipment did you start with and what do you use now?
My first turntables were the Technique SL-1200 Hi Fi ....Later and now I use the Technique SL-1210MK2...I learned on & used a Bozac Mixer and Urei 1620. Later & now the RANE Mixers, Allen & Heath. Pioneer CDJ 1000 MK3's.
What's your favorite Genre to play?
Club Vocals, Different forms of House, Trance. Soulful House. Some Tech.
Where do spin?
...Stations: WKTU 103.5 fm NYC & Sirius Satellite Radio "The Beat"...Clubs: Various guest spots...NYC & Florida.
What is your role at the station?
Strictly as a Mixshow DJ. The production programming and arrangement of mixshows.
What would you like your role to be in the future?
I've been happy as a Mixshow DJ since 1988..... I was a radio personality for 10 years at WAPE 95.1 fm in Jacksonville, presenting my own Mixshow for 4 hours Saturday nights. But I have no interests in any other roles in Radio other than what I am doing now, Mixshow production. Life in radio isn't that stable, but what really is today.
What are some of the craziest things that have happened to you while at the station?
Nothing too crazy...Well....I guess, while in Florida a lot of stalking cases. DJ's have to deal with that from both girls and guys. Nothing new here.....Also, we had a few guests on the air one night at WAPE during my mixshow. Not sure how it came up but on the air, in-between music breaks we were all talking about Doughnuts and Coffee. I mentioned my favorite Doughnut and..in minutes...at least 25 cars showed up at the station with that type Doughnut and coffee for me (thoughtful true blue fans) gotta love it....Also, I had a board op fall asleep during my (Reel to Reel) Mixshow in 1989...there was 7 minutes dead air...Arriving in the studio he was asleep sitting up in the chair. The same fella started one of my shows (Reel to Reel) on 45 RPM and left the studio....It went on for over 10 minutes before we put in a sweeper and clicked it over to 33rpm...Imagine Listening to that..? Too funny..! When you're in it close to 20 years mistakes occur....That could never happen today of course...Technology won't allow it. Oh yeah forgot...somebody wanted to jump from a bridge unless I played an Alanis Morrisette Remix. It became a local developing story...Unfortunately, I did have to play the "You Outta Know" Remix.
Club?
Yeah...alot of Crazy stuff...cannot mention....I think all DJ's in it for 20 plus years have some of the same stories.
Any Career highlights you would like to share?
Probably playing Palladium NYC in '88, also the Mid-to Late 80's / 90's Rave scene....Best time I've had as a DJ. It was also the most influential period in my career as a DJ.....Music was beautiful, just a magical time; Night into Day..Outdoors....Trance, Piano House and Breaks were MASSIVE. Sasha & Digweed, Micro, Keoki, DJ Icy, Chemical Bros, Dave Cannalte...we all played together in Florida in the late 80's & early 90's.
Who are some other DJ's that you feel are at the top of the game? Who influences you?
I'm very much into Tony Moran, Angel Moraes, Victor Calderone & Peter Rauhofer; But the reality is, Everyone influences me....I can take from the best and find something of interest in the young kids coming up too. As far as being at the top of your game...well...ya have to be in it at least 15 plus years or more to really pump the nation. Programming, music selection, mixing, creativity and elevating a dance floor is an art. Everything has to fall into place....Your music, the Sound System, the crowd that's in the house, the light show / tech. Some DJ's are in the right Club at the Right time with the right crowd to play for. Other DJ's with equal talent can be down the street in a Lounge...Things have to fall right for ya...You can always make your own breaks if you work hard and create a strong buzz.
Any groups in your area that you think need recognition?
Not that I know of.
Any advice to give to new DJs wanting to get into radio?
If you are shooting for a mixshow, know that it's more of a business now than it ever was. You have to adhere to a specific format. It's a team effort in radio to get ratings. You contribute to good ratings you live well. Respect the programming department and music director.
Do you have your own website?
www.johnnyrocks.com/ also: MySpace.com/DJJohnnyRocks
Are you willing to take on gigs outside your area? Can someone book you?
Sure... anyone can eat off of my plate or have a slice of the pie.
Why do you think radio stations sometimes go through Mixshow DJs like wild fire?
Well we all want to Blow Up The Spot on the Radio Mixshow...We all want to give the listeners new music first, OUR flavor, OUR style and OUR vibe. We want them to know that the music they hear from us is what they can expect to hear from us in the Clubs. Today, though, Radio-Mix show has changed a bit. There are RULES and there is POLICY. There are formats to follow and programming is TOP priority. There are research departments that dictate what is to be played. So, I think there may have been a few DJ's that don't want to adhere to such new laws of radio mix show. Some DJ's I guess just want to do their own thing through the mix show.
Most young DJ's commin' up and even some that are established want to show off, do things their way and ego takes over. According to them, they are the authority in knowing what to play on the radio mix show. They program their mix shows with non-hits. They challenge the format given to them. They even play like they're in the Clubs. They don't follow the format given to them by the music director.They don't respect the program directors. They don't know the history of the hit singles or remixes. They are not even sure that the specific listeners of that station that they are playing for can relate to their formats.This isn't the way things work in mixshow today. Radio is a business...So, follow the program the stations give you, or your show will get dropped. You can and will be replaced.
Do you think Mix Show DJs get enough recognition? If not, why and how could it be change?
At one time, mix show guys were GODS....Take for example the late 70's, 80's into and through the 90's. Timmy Regisford, DJ Red Alert, Grandmaster Flash, Shep Pettibone, Tony Humphries, Jellybean,...Now, Mix show DJ's don't get enough props. But, it's all good and it's the way it's supposed to be nowadays. Remember, you could be built up as a Radio Mix show DJ become increasingly popular and then overnight your show could get dropped; just life in the business. Yes, hard to accept but we have to prepare ourselves to deal with it. DJ's must find alternatives to excel in the industry.
In mix show today, we are to provide a specialty show making a small contribution to a radio personalities time slot / shift or show. DJ's should feel fortunate to have the opportunity to play on the radio. Mix show guys are NOT priority at most stations;...Just a reality. They get recognition through mentions which leads to club gigs and some production work. Radio personality DJ's, morning shows, sales and research are what matters to radio stations.
Where do you see the state of Hip Hop and/or Dance going in the next 5 years?
Will be around for many many years....!! Never will go away...Not in my time.
If you weren't mixing what would you be doing?
Playing professional Baseball. This was my first choice of a career through high school & college. Music and entertainment were always a part of my life adjoined with sports.
What keeps you in the game?
The music, the sound systems. The fact that people love to dance and take their shirts off. I'm independent too, so, I can do more of what I love to do.
Any thoughts on Hip Hop getting involved in the political game?
It's easy to attach music to politics, current or historical events. Music is developed based on in the influences around us. No other thoughts. Not that I can gather.
Anything else you would like to share?
I would wish and hope that anyone getting into this business would study it's roots, it's history. Look into the past and review music's evolution. The R&B of the 50's, the Sixties...through the early 70's The Philadelphia Sound into the 80's The History Of House, Freestyle, Hip-Hop...and into today. Learn how to play an instrument if possible. If you are all about CD's and Laptops, maybe learn how to Mix Vinyl. Dance at the Clubs and Study music theory. Try to listen to the works of some popular arrangers and producers. Respect peoples tastes and influences in the arts. Review all types of music, from Rock to Dance. What were the first Radio stations that brought dance music into your homes. What were the Clubs and DJ's that helped to elevated or influence our industry. How did the scene flourish. How did we get where we are musically today. Finally, be honest with yourself; Contribute within the industry as your heart guides you. Know what you are best at and develop your talent in that area. Don't ever be someone you are not. Earn your stripes. Listen to and respect those that came before you. Nothing is guaranteed in this business, especially in mix show. I have been fortunate to be able to program music for as long as I have on the radio. I am grateful for all the cards that have been dealt in my favor. I take nothing for granted. I do know that on any given day it could end without notice. Life is such that way. So, Enjoy While You Can, do the best job you can do, look to do better and take nothing for granted. Adopt and improve on a good attitude.
MySpace.com/DJJohnnyRocks
www.JohnnyRocks.com
