Last Night a DJ Saved My Life [Paperback]

The self-styled "definitive" history of the humble art of spinning plates of vinyl, Last Night A DJ Saved My Life steps up to the turntables with worthy pretensions. The work of journalists Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton, who, between them, have worked on The Face, i-D, Rolling Stone, and Musik, they certainly know their deep house from their speed garage. But while Last Night A DJ . . . is an impressively knowledgeable compilation of information, they never quite decide whether this is an intellectual resource, a complete history, or if they're playing these records just for kicks.

So in the preface fun is poked at "abstract nonsense about postmodern intertextuality", and the pair thunder into well-reasoned, impassioned debate about the DJ being a modern-day shaman--pulse-racing stuff, which makes it all the more uncomfortable when it segues into an unremittingly dull chronological history of the invention of the record deck. The pace quickens with an excellent chapter on Northern Soul, and in hot pursuit follow impressive histories of the reggae, hip-hop and disco genres. But then Acid House--perhaps Britain's most important musical evolution ever--is given short shrift and techno is dismissed over a mere ten pages as "house's swotty offspring". The term "definitive", it seems, has been faded out of the mix.

Last Night A DJ . . . is no Bible for the penitent vinyl worshipper, and its difficult chronology makes it an uncomfortable read. Still, if you think that Northern Soul records were made in Leeds and disco began with the Bee Gees, there's a wealth of knowledge here that'll put you right --Louis Pattison --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'the best 'club culture' book ever to emerge'

This is the history of the rise of the DJ, from the humble "talking jukebox" origins of radio disc jockeys to today's DJ superstars who travel the world earning rock star salaries with a fanbase to match.

author review of last night a dj saved my life
Firstly, we feel that it is indeed an exhaustive history of the disc jockey (and, in turn, of dance music itself). We are happy to take criticism where and when it is warranted, but some of your reviewer's comments are simply untrue. Firstly, there is no "unremittingly dull" history of the record deck. We don't remember writing one, and I can't find it anywhere in the book. Secondly, the reason we skimmed over acid house is because; a) acid house was all about marketing rather than genuine innovation (pretty much everything that happened during this period had already happened elsewhere already, usually in New York) and; b) Matthew Collin and Sheryl Garratt had already written excellent books on the subject, and it was pretty pointless treading on familiar territory. As far as techno is concerned, point taken (the US edition will cover this in greater depth). Far too many UK journalists seem genuinely affronted that we have not devoted hundreds of pages to the last ten years (which is where most British dance journalists' knowledge begins and ends), while overlooking the fact that we spent months and years tracking down long forgotten DJs who REALLY made history and, sadly, had all but been forgotten. The reaction from DJs all over the world to this book tells a different story. They love it. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Bill Brewster is a freelance writer, co-owner of dance label Forensic and is a renowned DJ. Frank Broughton is the author of the Time Out New York Guide and was deputy editor of i-D magazine. His work has also appeared in Details, NME and Rolling Stone, inter alia.