Nicky Siano
Nicky Siano | |
---|---|
Birth name | Nicky Siano |
Born | 18 March 1955 |
Origin |
Brooklyn New York USA |
Genres |
Disco HiNRG |
Occupation(s) | Remixer, DJ, Producer |
Years active | 1971-2011 |
Associated acts |
David Mancuso Tom Moulton Tom Savarese Bobby Guttadaro Richie Kaczor |
Nicky Siano (born March 18, 1955) is a former resident DJ at Studio 54. Siano was born in Brooklyn, New York.[1]
In 1971, at the age of 16, he got his first djing gig, with the help of Robin Lord, and in February 1973 he opened The Gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan with his older brother Joe Siano.[1] At the time he was considered to be the best DJ in the city and this helped the club attain its legendary status. In fact New York Magazine called it "one of the five most visually breathtaking nightspots of our time".[2] The Gallery even took over from David Mancuso's Loft for a short period in the 1970s as the hottest underground dance party.
When Steve Rubell opened Studio 54 he asked Nicky to be one of its resident DJs, so whilst remaining at The Gallery at weekends during the week he could be seen at Studio 54 or one of the other now legendary discos that appeared at that time.[2] Nicky worked the DJ booth at Bianca Jagger's infamous Studio 54 birthday party. He was known for playing underground alternative music, as opposed to the disco hits that were dominating the nightclub scene. Nicky was fired from Studio 54 after four months due to excessive drug usage.[3] While Nicky Siano is affirming, that he was fired because Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell wanted the club to be the star and not the DJ.
Having been one of the most successful DJs of his time, Nicky went where many DJs have since gone, into production. He knew what the crowds wanted and so was brought in to help produce records that would set the dancefloor on fire. In 1977 he produced his first big single "Kiss Me Again" on Sire Records, which sold more than 300,000 records.[2]
The start of the 1980s proved a rocky time for Siano with him dropping out of the scene and popular consciousness.
Siano continues to tour the globe extensively as well as produce. His latest release Power of Love, featuring Arline Burton was launched at the 2007 WMC. As well as his hectic tour and production schedule, Siano is working on a film documenting the Gallery nightclub with footage shot in the club during the 1970s.
On October 18, 2011, Siano reappeared at Studio 54 for the club's "One Night Only" reopening as organized by Sirius XM Radio. He played all 1970s Disco from the club's original days. He was on from the 9pm opening until midnight when Swedish DJ Avicii came on.
References
- 1 2 timlawrence.info|Love Saves the Day by Tim Lawrence
- 1 2 3 Nicky Siano at deejaybooking.com
- ↑ Bill Brewster, Frank Broughton, Frank Broughton (2007). Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey. Grove Press. p. 188. ISBN 9781555846114. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
External links
- Nicky Siano's Homepage
- Nick Siano at Disco-Disco.com
- Nicky Siano at trustthedj.com
- Nicky Siano Interview