Larry Levan

Larry Levan (actually Lawrence Philpot, July 20, 1954 * Brooklyn, New York, † November 8, 1992 ) was an American DJ and record producer. Levan is considered a pioneer of modern Disco, House and Garage scene.

Along with Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan as a teenager came in contact with the burgeoning disco and dance scene of the early 1970s. Levan and Knuckles helped at The Gallery and from 1972 to 1976 in the Continental Baths, where they were able to expand their skills as DJs. In 1977, Levan founded with Michael Brody and Mel Cheren, the co-owner of West End Records, the New York nightclub Paradise Garage, where he worked for ten years as a DJ. The club became the prototype for today's nightclubs, as here, the individual as a sound artist DJ and dancing were the focus for the first time. Levan finished his DJ sets in the Paradise Garage often with Manuel Göttsching track E2 - E4 and helped the known hitherto only Göttsching fans piece new popularity.

In the following years, Larry Levan published several successful remixes, including Taana Gardner's Heartbeat. On September 26, 1987, the Paradise Garage closed, as Michael Brody was seriously ill with AIDS. Levan had difficulties joining another club foot until he was asked in 1990 to design and set up the sound system in the Ministry of Sound first.

After his Harmony tour of Japan Larry Levan died in 1992 at the age of 38 years from the consequences of endocarditis. In September 2004, he was inducted for his extraordinary accomplishments and achievements as a DJ in the Dance Music Hall of Fame.