Danny Rampling

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Danny Rampling is a former British House Music DJ and is widely credited as one of the original founders of the UK's rave/club scene. His long career began in the early 1980s playing hip-hop, soul and funk around numerous bars and clubs in London. During a now legendary holiday in Ibiza in 1987, Rampling, along with fellow DJs Paul Oakenfold and Nicky Holloway, attended Amnesia, a then open air nightclub in San Rafael. At the club the group were introduced to the unique eclectic style of DJ Alfredo, playing, among other genres, the new house music that had been exported from the USA. The group also discovered the music's powerful combination with the drug Ecstasy (MDMA). Upon his return to England, Rampling, along with his then wife, Jenny, attempted to recreate the Ibizan experience by promoting what is regarded as the UK's first Balearic rave club, Shoom.^[1] Shoom ran for 3 years, starting out at a gym in Southwark, London. It launched acid house culture virtually overnight, while simultaneously providing a basis for mass ecstasy use in the UK.

In the following years Rampling continued his career in music as a DJ and producer, remixing many UK and international acts while forming a band, The Millionaire Hippies. In November 1994 he joined the BBC, presenting the "Lovegroove Dance Party" on Radio 1 until March 2002, making it the second longest running dance music show in radio after Pete Tong's "Essential Selection".

The mid 1990's also saw Rampling's DJing style diversify. While still playing House and Garage sets, Rampling also began to headline at harder, trancier parties, e.g. 'South', at The Zap Club, in Brighton. Rampling himself referred to his newer style as 'Euro', and at this time showcased new Euro tracks, during the final thirty minute weekly mix of his Radio 1 Show. Additionally, Rampling's Double CD Love Groove Dance Mix featured House and Garage on the first CD, and 'Euro' on the second.

In 2005 Danny Rampling announced his retirement from DJing to concentrate on running his restaurant, however by 2007 this hiatus from the world of DJ'ing had been lifted by some on-off appearances at selected clubs.