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Every Picture Tells a StoryYou are in: Humber > Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Humberside > Steve Redgrave's Late Show > Every Picture Tells a Story > Les Patterson Les PattersonLes Patterson ran his own mobile dj business and also worked in the nightclubs of Hull with the radio and pop stars of his day in the 80s and 90s.  Les's old haunt LAs formerly Tiffany's Les Patterson's picture is an exterior shot of one of his former places of work. Lexington Avenue, aka, 'LA 's' has gone through a variety of name changes throughout the years. When Les started work in this particular building in 1982 it was called Tiffany's. Les wanted to be a nightclub DJ for along time and in his early days his ambitions were thwarted as club managers told him they were only interested in people with some experience. This is why Les started his own mobile disco, 'Starlight Disco'. It wasn't long, with the help of his brothers, he was able to expand the business. Les' lucky break in the clubs came when on a night off in 1982 he went to Tiffany's and spoke to Tiffany's number one DJ at the time, Pete Robb, asking if there were any openings. Pete's initial response was no. An hour later, Les was surprised to hear Pete make an announcement saying that if the guy he'd spoken to an hour ago was still around, could he go and see the manager, Martin Millington. That meeting turned into an interview and the very next night he found himself working in the private party room known as the Crystal Goblet. The next year Les was moved up in the DJ rankings.  Les outside his old club as it is today During his time he's worked with many of the top radio presenters of the day who would tour the nightclubs of the country. The famous Radio 1 DJs of the day including Simon Bates, Gary Davies, Tony Blackburn and Dave Lee Travis would be regular visitors. Les' job was to give them support and the DJs would send Les their 'playlist' requirements. Sometimes the DJs would organise games, and also host 'question and answer' sessions.  The former Tower nightclub Les has fond memories of working with some of the pop stars of the day who would do PAs (personal appearances), singing to backing tapes to please the crowds. Edwin Starr and Kelly Marie are two of the artists he recalls as standout artists. As a DJ Les also did some work on P&O ferries and recalls in the early days, that the records would jump about in heavy seas aboard ship and the disco that night would have to be abandoned, although later they introduced new equipment to stop that from happening.  The fomer New York nightclub He looks back with fondness at those days and laments that the nightclub scene in the city centre is not as vibrant as it used to be with some of his old haunts now boarded up and not used. He particularly remembers places like Romeo and Juliet's, Bali Ha'i, Odyssey and New York. The nightclub life wasn't Les' only source of income. During the day he worked as an insurance salesman and if he worked quickly and efficiently he could get the job done in a few hours before working late in the clubs, although he says a social life away from the clubs was almost non-existent due to the hours. These days, Les works as a deputy sales manager with British Gas, although few of his colleagues have been aware of his life as a nightclub DJ. Until now that is.
Help playing audio/video last updated: 11/03/2008 at 16:35 You are in: Humber > Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Humberside > Steve Redgrave's Late Show > Every Picture Tells a Story > Les Patterson  |
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