Morrissey couldn’t be that serious when he sang, “Burn down the disco, hang the DJ…” in The Smiths’ 1986 hit single “Panic” — though, apparently, it was “because the music that they constantly play / It says nothing to me about my life…”
Boomers can relate to such sentiments, since the period in which they came of age — from the 1950s to the ’80s — was also the time when DJs (disc jockeys) were looked upon almost as highly as the artists whose records they played on the radio or at clubs.
The popularity of DJs coincided with the birth of rock ’n’ roll. Alan Freed, an American DJ who hosted radio shows in Cleveland and New York, went on to appear in “jukebox musicals” like “Rock Around the Clock.”
Life as a teenager in Manila during martial law was bearable because certain radio stations had DJs who played songs that went beyond entertainment.
For my generation born in the ’60s, went to high school in the ’70s, and attended college in the ’80s, the most influential of these stations were RJ, RT, WK, and later, NU and City Lite.
RJ — dubbed the Rock of Manila on 810 AM, and The Source on 100.3 FM —
featured DJs who defined the essence of cool and hip, introducing listeners to songs other than the released singles of a particular artist’s latest album. RJ also championed OPM via its Pinoy Rock & Rhythm program. The music was bright and upbeat in the daytime, and got deep and cerebral at night on the Rock & Roll Machine.
RT — known as the Music Authority and, later, Rhythm of the City 99.5 RT — boasted DJs with flawless diction and engaging voices that kept listeners abreast of the latest hits from American Top 40, while also breaking songs otherwise unheard on other stations.
WK was the refuge of jazz enthusiasts, its DJs led by the raspy-voiced Brother Wayne.
City Lite 88.3 picked up where WK left off, and added some crossover pop, with some of its DJs from RT.
NU 107 played modern rock with an all-new set of youthful DJs.
The thing about the DJs from these radio stations is they made listeners feel good through some of the best music of the times. While many of the songs were pre-selected to fit their respective formats and programming, the DJs were also given the freedom to choose what they wanted to play.
And since they knew the nature of the songs, the DJs educated their fans. In effect, these DJs became arbiters of fine musical taste.
More challenges
Meanwhile, the club DJs were in a class of their own. There were more challenges since they “performed” with no commercial or station ID breaks, and often with no spiels on the mic.
One of these DJs who has been at it practically all his life is Edgar Sallan, a.k.a. Pirate Satellite.
He has played records in many bars and clubs around town, including Roxy’s, Kublai’s Rock, Chotto Matte, and Borough. He warmed up the crowd when Marky Ramone played at Hard Rock Café Makati. He was also the guest DJ at the Rivermaya reunion concert last Feb. 17 at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque.
Dig the promotion of his coming show on Oct. 30 at Mono by Phono in Poblacion, Makati:
“Along with the Beatles, U2, CSN, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Arctic Monkeys, Ziggy Marley, The Jackson 5, The Beastie Boys, Edwyn Collins, Paul Kelly, Hall & Oates, Canned Heat, Sonic Youth, Sting, Chick Corea, Terry Chimes, Elton John, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Marky Ramone, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Cliff, Ray Charles, David Byrne, Morrissey, Liam Gallagher, Shonen Knife & Chuck Berry…
“The Specials’ legendary frontman Terry Hall was one of the aforementioned musical icons who have performed in Manila.
“Mr. Hall dined, shopped, DJ’ed, and graced Fred Perry Philippines’ 10th-anniversary event six years ago.
“You’ll be hearing The Specials’ top tunes, lots of rarities + other modern classics and 21st-century rockers galore on October 30th @ Mono by Phono for Pirate Satellite Night LIVE’s Halloween/Payday, whatever… as presented by FredPerryPH, featuring chef Buddy Trinidad of Betrayed, Major Chie Castañeda of NY Cubao, Vive Le France’s Dubmeister Norris King, This Is Ternoman Toti Garcia Dalmacion, Girlfrendo Khis Minty, & Greater MNL Commission Ghost Employee Edgar Sallan!”
Sounds like he’s got the best job in the world.
