My Early Bio
Music was always on in our house, especially the weekends; my mom and dad always had the radio on or were playing the latest salsa and merengue records.
My favorite songs at the time were: The Twist” by Chubby Checker, a song called “Sugar Shack” by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, “Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison which was the first record my parents bought me, I played it over and over again, since it was the only record I had. From that point on I started collecting records until this day. Music is my life.
In my early teens, I was drawn to every type of music; I bought lots of 45’s and always listened to the B-sides.
I always had the radio on, on Saturday nights after watching TV, I would go in my room, close the door and listen to Wolf Man Jack play all the latest tunes. I would watch all the dance shows on TV like “The Lloyd Thaxton Show, “Hullaballoo”, “9th Street West” The Dick Clark Show.” I just couldn’t get enough of music, all the while still buying records whenever my parents permitted.
In high school the trend continued, I really got into soul music, which now they call R&B. I loved the Motown and Stax sound, the 60’s was alive with musicians experimenting with different sound sand techniques. Rock n’ Roll was big also and I was drawn to the raw and unique sounds of those times. I was still collecting records, but now I was buying 8 track tapes, which are something, similar to cassettes but much bigger.
In college my appetite for music continues to grow.
I had a car now, and was able to go see my favorite groups perform live. My musical taste expanded even more because of FM radio. Now, I was listening to experimental rock and rock n roll from England and Europe. But I started to notice something; my friends were no longer as interested in music as I was. I had only one friend whose musical tastes mirrored mine, my best friend Robert Schenk. So we would trade new music and go see concerts none of our friends were interested in. Its at that point I realized that I had a love for music that went beyond normal. Music seemed to heal my soul and was my constant companion. I wished somehow I could work in the music business.
I graduated from Pepperdine University in 1976 with a Bachelors of Arts as a Para-Legal. I was lucky, I had done well in school and was hired to work as a Para Legal for the State of California’s Attorney General’s office. Great job for a 22 year old. by then I had my own house, a sports car, job security, a big stereo system and a good pay check. By then I was buying music like crazy. But there was something missing. Even though I would listen to music before and after work, it wasn’t enough. I wouldn’t even watch TV because I thought it was a waste of time, I’d be listening to…you guessed it music.
I decided to go live in Puerto Rico in 1978 and moved there for a year. There I got my wish, sort of. I became a Disco DJ. Now, I was playing music 5-7 nights a week. I was in heaven. I came back to the states and continued, practicing night and day. I wanted to be one of the best. The practicing paid off and I landed gigs at popular L.A. clubs.
In 1980, a friend and I bought a record store in Montebello California. We christened it Record Galaxy. We did very well for awhile catering to Disco DJs. But we didn’t really know how to run a business and had to close our doors. But it sure was fun having your own record store.
In 1982 I also got a day job managing JDC Records, a dance music distributor, I helped him build his business to over 1 million dollars in yearly sales. I figured if I could do it for him, I could do it for myself.
In 1983, I started Electrobeat Records. With producer/recording engineer Dave Storrs. Rap was just starting out and there were a hand full of rappers that were getting known in the streets. Their names are Ice T and Kid frost. We signed both of them and released their first records. Instant success. I also managed Kid Frost for the first 3 years of his career. This was cool but working with recording artists is challenging. Both went on to further their careers with big record labels.
In 1985, while still Dj'ing, I became involved with some friends that had a great dance record. We re-recorded their song” Wake-Up” and STOP was born. The record became an international club and radio record. We had to form a performing group and performed live through out Southern California, Florida and Mexico. We were awarded 3 gold records including Mexico and won Best Independent Video for Billboard magazine. Our video was even played on MTV.
