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“My first public DJ gig was at the homecoming dance of Amherst R. High School in Massachusetts, USA. I was 17 years old at that time. I was a bit nervous since the school committee wanted a band, but I convinced them that a DJ was more cost-effective.”
Breakdance crew
“I played hiphop & electro for my peers. They were into rock ‘n roll but I won them over in the end. I played by feeling. Also, I had my breakdance crew there to support me and show off their dance moves.”
Taste of the future
“I was a big fan of the NYC DJs playing three to five-hour sets like for example DJ Red Alert. Of course, I made some mistakes but they were not horrible. I wanted to impress my friends and give them a taste of the future.”
Groovemaster Johnson
“It took many years before I got my hands again on a real turntable from the Technics SL series. I believe I have DJ Groovemaster Johnson to thank for that since he asked me to house-sit for a few weeks. I asked if I could practice with his records. He answered that I had to put each record back in the same correct order in which I found them.” (laughs)
“I recorded my sets and waited eagerly for his critique. He gave me encouragement. Consequently, I discovered my own style when I was a resident at Subtopia. The rest is history…”
This interview with Gino Lightner is originally published in March 2014 on DJMag.nl.
Who is Gino Lightner?
Born in Philadelphia, Gino Lightner began his career in 1989 with 5th World Records. After signing a 7 year contract with the premature house label which featured US producers George Clinton + Bootsy Collins, he released the track ‘No More War’.
Unhappy with the role as vocalist Gino Lightner focused on his skills as a DJ promoting the underground Dutch labels with several weekly 6 hour sets & B2B cyphers at various clubs & radio stations. Shortly afterwards Gino Lightner became DJ for Lower East Side Records club Subtopia (Holland’s first exclusive House /Afterhour) with Jeff Porter & Jeroen Flamman (Fierce Ruling Diva). Soon the Subtopia crew began booking other American DJs like Eddie Flashin Fowlkes, Ms Monney Penny, Josh Wink and helped introduce Keoki, Juan Atkins, Stacey Pullen and Derrick May into the Dutch house scene.
Gino Lightner found his second wave of inspirational encounters in Europe after living in NYC, working with some of the pioneers of the NYC scene (Louie Vega, B.Cox, Foremost Poets). During his stay in Holland Gino Lightner has collaborated with many artists, producers, radio stations, organizers, labels, as well as teaching many DJs the fine art of mixing vinyl.
Transcending all styles & cliques Gino Lightner’s goal of bringing people together through house music was instrumental in helping the European scene grow into the international epicenter of Electronic Dance Music we’ve all have come to know.
