"Godfather Of Disco", Mel Cheren Has Died

Clubland was rocked this weekend by the news that Mel Cheren, the "Godfather Of Disco", has died from complications of AIDS. Cheren provided the financial backing to open legendary gay nightclub the Paradise Garage, and founded seminal dance music label West End Records. Earlier this year, Cheren's biography, My Life and the Paradise Garage: Keep On Dancin', was turned into the documentary film The Godfather Of Disco.

Cheren became well known for his charity work and in 1987 formed 24 Hours For Life, a not-for-profit organization of media and music professionals which produced fundraising events for AIDS relief and education. A true renaissance man, Cheren was also an accomplished painter -five album covers that he created were nominated for Grammys and much of his artwork hangs the Colonial House Inn, the award-winning Chelsea bed & breakfast he owned.

Last night Rich Morel and I reminisced about West End Records and its many classic tracks: Shirley Lites' Heat You Up (Melt You Down), Raw Silks' Do It To The Music, Loose Joints' Is It All Over My Face. Later, at the Eagle, DJ Paul Ferrer played a brief tribute set for Cheren, including one of the most influential records in dance music history, Taana Gardner's Heartbeat, a track made famous by Paradise Garage DJ and Cheren protege' Larry Levan. Here is a clip from the documentary, West End Records: History In The Making.