Danny Rampling

Danny Rampling
Birth name Daniel Rampling
Born 15 July 1961
Streatham, England, United Kingdom[1]
Genres Balearic beat, house
Occupation(s) Disc jockey, club owner and record producer
Years active 1980–present
Labels Maverick
Website www.dannyrampling.com

Danny Rampling is a British house music DJ and is widely credited as one of the original founders of the UK's rave/club scene.[2] His long career began in the early 1980s playing hip-hop, soul and funk around numerous bars and clubs in London. He was the first winner of the No 1 DJ in the World Award by DJ Magazine in 1991.

Early career

Ibiza

During a 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),[3] that reduced inhibitions and created a sense of oneness on the dance floor.

England

Upon his return to England, Rampling, along with his then wife, Jenny, attempted to recreate the Ibiza experience by promoting what is regarded as the UK's first Balearic rave club, Shoom.[4] Shoom ran for three years, starting out at a gym in Southwark, London. It was a launching point for acid house culture , while contributing to worldwide dance culture. Rampling had planned a party to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Shoom, which would be held at Cable Nightclub on 8 December 2012.[5]

Later career

Radio

Danny 'Happy' Rampling played for the original pirate Kiss (UK radio station) with the main Saturday night slot from 7 till 9 pm in the early nineties, setting many a person up for a great night out with the "Love Groove Dance Party" he was poached like many others, including Judge Jules, to BBC Radio 1.

DJ and Producer

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 "Love Groove Dance Party" on BBC Radio 1 until March 2002, making it the second longest running dance music show in radio after Pete Tong's "Essential Selection".

The mid 1990s 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.

Retirement

In 2005, Rampling announced his retirement from DJing with the initial intention of running a restaurant, although he changed tack to focus on his property business and the 'low carbon economy'. In 2007 he returned to music and began making some on-off appearances at selected clubs. In 2008 he published a self-help ebook entitled "Everything you need to know about DJ'ing and success". He has since returned to regular DJing where his popularity remains strong.[6]

Personal life

Rampling is a keen eco-entrepreneur and has just completed building ten eco-friendly Carbon reductive houses in St Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings, East Sussex, England, UK.[7] Along with business partner Simon Hinton they recently launched 'Green Town Revolution',[8] a reward and offset system to encourage individuals and small businesses to offset their CO2 emissions. 'Carbon Neutral DJ' with Norman Jay MBE is GTR's first project,[9] its purpose being to influence a positive response to climate change and personal CO2 offsetting, and a shift towards Carbon Neutrality.

References

  1. ↑ Bush, John (1961-07-15). "Danny Rampling". AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
  2. ↑ Emma Warren (2007-08-11). "The birth of rave | Music | Observer Music Monthly". London: Guardian. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
  3. ↑ "Danny Rampling". DJhistory.com. 2011-12-04. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
  4. ↑ Reynolds, Simon (1998). Generation Ecstasy: Into the world of techno and rave culture. Little, Brown and Co. ISBN 0-415-92373-5.
  5. ↑ Rampling, Danny. "Time For Love". The Sun. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  6. ↑ "Danny Rampling's website". Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  7. ↑ Hughes, Claire (25 July 2009). "Life after the limelight". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  8. ↑ "Phoenix Trinity Design and Build » Green Town Revolution". phoenixtrinity.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  9. ↑ http://www.carbonneutraldj.com Author's website

External links

Awards and achievements DJ Magazine Number 1 DJ
1991 		Succeeded by
Smokin Jo