How much do you really know about DJ Devo? Well, I’m a native New Yorker who’s been in love with music my whole life. My love for music began at an incredibly young age. My mom would notice my enthusiasm when she would put music on, whether it was the radio or her playing her favorite records on the console (combination tv, radio, and turntable unit). She quickly enrolled me in various music classes, vocal classes, piano, and guitar as well. I was also extremely fortunate to have gone to schools with good to great music programs, to include Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and Art (the old school on 137thStreet).
I enrolled in the Army in ’77, fresh out of high school and this is where I met a DJ named Sunny. I was at the NCO on post at my duty station and he was playing. I remember walking up to him and introducing myself, boldly stating that I was a DJ back in New York. I really wasn’t a DJ just yet, but I wanted to impress him. I guess I did good because soon enough I was working with him just about every weekend. Little did I know this would be the beginning of my DJ career.
I returned to New York at the end of 1979 and immediately hit the club scene, looking for that break; that opportunity to do what I was most passionate about, DJing. Well, my first job in a club was as a busboy and it was at Gotham, a somewhat medium sized place and a very enthusiastic Latin and African American crowd. The club was located on 53rd St. off 3rd Ave. It was a cool place. After a couple of months, the lighting technician had fell ill and I replaced him on the lights. I worked with a DJ named Pepe, but there was also another DJ that would occasionally come to the club and Pepe would let him spin. His name was DJ Raul Soto (RIP). Meeting him was truly the most important thing that happened to me throughout this musical journey. We not only worked together, but we became close friends, like family. He also made me an even better DJ when he would occasionally leave the booth for a while and put me to play…he was crazy like that, but he knew I could handle it. There are many who would tell you even today, that we were mainly responsible for the Webo dance and movement. Raul and I went on to play at Gotham West, Broadway 96, Fresh 14, Latin Quarters, and lastly, Club Illusions.
In 1987, I founded Devo Music Productions, a mobile DJ company which lasted nearly 30 years (dissolved in 2014). I took a break from playing for a little while, but I couldn’t find anything else that fueled my soul like music did, so I got into online streaming somewhere during 2015. My first shows were solo shows on chew.tv, grooveo.com, stream.me, etc., but later on I was invited to play on a few online radio stations. This has allowed me to still do what I love most and to also entertain and bring meaningful, heart healing, and soul-stirring music to my music family. My current interests have expanded so much since joining my new family at Veteran Squad Radio. I play alongside some of the greatest talent on this planet, some of which have gotten into producing and remixing, so yeah, they’re inspiring me as well. It was always an aspect of music that interested me and while hearing what they’ve done, it has fueled me to create as well. My musical journey has been great, but there is always greatness in learning and growing while you do what you love. Don’t ever say impossible. You’ll never fail when you realize life is one big lesson. Love what you do…do what you love !!
-DJ Devo
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