Disc jockey

:For other meanings of DJ, see DJ (disambiguation).

Types of disc jockeys

By definition, the role of selecting and playing prerecorded music for an intended audience is the same for every disc jockey. The selected music, the audience, the setting, the preferred medium, and the level of sophistication of sound manipulation are factors that create a number of different types of deejays.

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The following is a list of the most common types of disc jockeys, along with notable examples of each, listed in chronological order by birth.

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Radio DJs

A radio disc jockey is one that selects and plays music that is broadcast across radio waves.

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Notable Radio DJs

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• Christopher Stone (1882?1965), became the first disc jockey in the United Kingdom in 1927.
• Martin Block (1901-1967), the first radio disc jockey to become a star, inspired the term "disc jockey".
• Alan Freed (1922-1965), became internationally known for promoting African-American Rhythm and Blues music in the United States and Europe under the name of Rock and Roll.
• Murray "The K" Kaufman (1922-1982), influential rock and roll disc jockey, for a time was billed as the "Fifth Beatle".
• Jimmy Savile (born 1926), British DJ and television personality, best known for his BBC television show Jim'll Fix It where he made the wishes of members of the public (mainly children) come true.
• Dick Clark (born 1929), host of American Bandstand, television's longest-running music/variety program, as well as a number of nationally syndicated radio shows.
• Casey Kasem (born 1932), disc jockey and music historian, host of the long-running radio series American Top 40.
• Wolfman Jack (1938-1995), drew upon his love of horror movies and rock and roll to create his raspy-voiced, howling persona, one of radio?s most distinctive voices.
• John Peel (1939-2004), one of the original DJs of UK's Radio 1 in 1967, known for the extraordinary range of his taste in music, and for championing unknown musical artists.
• Jim Ladd (born 1948), the last remaining freeform rock DJ in United States commercial radio.

See also: :Category:Radio DJs

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Club DJs

A club disc jockey is one that selects and plays music in a club setting. The setting can range anywhere from a small club, a neighborhood party, a disco, a rave, or even a stadium.

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Notable Club DJs

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• U-Roy (born 1942), pioneer of the Jamaican sound system scene.
• David Mancuso (born 1944), founder of New York City's first underground party called the Loft.
• Francis Grasso (1948-2001), popularized several new disc jockey techniques, including beatmatching and slip-cueing.
• Larry Levan (1954-1992), leader of New York Garage music.
• Frankie Knuckles (born 1955), the godfather of house music.
• Paul Oakenfold (born 1963), British record producer, remixer, and one of the best-known DJs worldwide, referred to as a Superstar DJ.
• Tiesto (born 1969), one of world's leading trance music DJs, voted DJ Magazines 'No. 1 DJ in the World' for the third consecutive year in 2004.
• Keoki (born 1969), famous techno musician, portrayed in the 2003 film Party Monster.

See also: :Category:Club DJs

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Hip Hop DJs

A hip hop disc jockey is one that selects and plays music as a hip hop artist and/or performer, often backing up one or more MCs.

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Notable Hip Hop DJs

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• DJ Kool Herc (born 1955), inventor of breakbeat technique, "the godfather of hip hop culture".
• Grandmaster Flash (born 1958), one of the early pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and scratching.
• Afrika Bambaataa (born 1960), instrumental in the early development of hip hop, created first hip hop track to feature synthesizers.
• Jam Master Jay (1965-2002), founder and DJ of Run-DMC, one of the most innovative hip hop groups of all time.
• Eric B. (born 1965), one half of duo Eric B. & Rakim, popularized the James Brown-sampled funky hip hop of the late 1980s.
• Terminator X (born 1966), DJ of the highly infuential hip hop group Public Enemy.
• Mix Master Mike (born 1970), skilled DJ of hip hop group Beastie Boys, three-time winner of the International DMC Turntablism Award.

See also: :Category:Hip hop DJs

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