| ......the genius, the Billboard Award winner and my friend! |
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| Lou DiVito was, in my opinion, the greatest DJ to ever mix a record! Lou started DJ-ing when the club DJ didn't really exist. Imagine mixing 7" 45's all night? Imagine turntables with no pitch controls? Imagine no record pools or promotional services? That was the era when Lou gave up the dream of interior designing and got the "music fever"!
Lou started at, and remained for most of his career with, Eddie Dugan (Davidson) at "Dugan's Bistro." However a brief stint in Florida at "The Copa" cured Lou of any doubts he may have had about Chicago and The Bistro! Lou was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and at the height of the disco era he could have written his own ticket to anywhere in the world. He was well known from coast to coast. Among his many friends and peers were: "Studio 54's" Richie Kaczor, Robbie Leslie, "Trocadero Transfer's" Bobby Vitteritti, "Backstreet's" Angelo Solar, "Warehouse's" Frankie Knuckles, producer Rick Gianatos and countless promoters and artists . When in Chicago everyone always stopped in to visit with Lou. Many artists on promotional tours would perform "freebies" at The Bistro, partly due to the reputation of Lou and the legendary crowds that he drew. Deborah Washington, Patrick Hernandez, Sylvester, Loleatta Holloway, Pamala Stanley, Viola Wills, Two Tons O' Fun, Melba Moore, Judy Clayton, Fonda Rae, and the list goes on and on, are just a few of the names that performed for Lou. Lou actually received his degree in interior design from Chicago's prestigious "Harrington School Of Design" before making friends with the then current man, (no one can remember his name?), playing records at The Bistro. One night that man left the booth and never returned. When the record ended Lou figured he'd be right back, so he put another 45 on, and then another and another. By evenings end The Bistro had a new "record player" and his fate was sealed! Playing hits like Southshore Commision's "Free Man" and Penny MacLean's "Lady Bump" was music to his ears! In those days you didn't need to know anything or have any experience. Just a love of music was enough. As disco became more "mainstream" and prevailant so too did the technology. And Lou was right there growing with it. Along the way he became an institution in Chicago by learning to blend records seamlessly. His incredible "ear", a knack for mixing in the correct keys, was one of his talents. His other was his impeccable taste in music and the ability to spot a hit. And courage?....who else could play The B-52's, Dolly Parton, and The Supremes within a 30 minute set and have an entire room screaming and dancing for their lives? Because of those talents and his artistry Lou received numerous awards. His first "Billboard Award" from 1978 was presented to him by Donna Summer (whom Lou absolutely adored!) and his second "Billboard Award", in 1979 was presented by Dan Hartman and Loleatta Holloway (another Chicagoland talent). Lou was the first Chicago D.J. to have his mixes played on the radio. Chicago's WDAI signed him up for the first "Hot Mixes" to air in 1979. At that peak in his career the crowds would literally snake around the block for the chance to get into The Bistro and hear him work his magic. The loyalty felt by Lou, combined with his family, friends and the treatment he received here in Chicago were all the reasons that Lou never left Chicago when New York and L.A. called. However that never stopped him from travelling. Lou was always popping in at the countrys best clubs to visit his fellow peers and check out their programs. Secure in his talents, Lou often paved the way for other up and coming D.J.'s like myself. His alternate D.J. for several years was Frank Lipomi. Frank, who after having worked with Lou, won the 1980 "Billboard Award". His presence was felt by many in so many ways. He literally influenced a generation. When The Bistro closed in 1982 it was a tearful event for many Chicagoans. Naturally the closing song that night was Donna Summer's "Last Dance." The crowd went wild and were literally ripping pieces of the bar apart for souvenirs. When word of The Bistro's closing was announced work had already begun on a new club to house Lou's talent. "Paradise Chicago" opened in 1983. New York style had hit the windy city! The cavernous complex held 6 separate bars, 2 separate booths and dance floors, a game room, restaurant, an upstairs private lounge with a V.I.P. skybox, and the most ambitious light and sound show the midwest has ever seen, nothing has ever rivaled it before or since. Lou reigned as master of the domain for the entire run of Paradise Chicago. When the club closed in 1985 Lou retired professionally. He acted as consultant for the sound system and booth layout for "Bistro Too" in 1987 but declined to spin again. Sadly Lou passed away in 1991 after a long battle with AIDS. Lou is sadly missed. To this day many Chicago DJ's still cite Lou as an inspiration and his influence is still felt by the disco community. Lou you were my friend and not a day goes by that I don't miss you........ |
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