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| Tom Savarese |
| Billboard's National Disc Jockey 1976 and 1977 |
| Once again we have a subject whose very exsistence screams for inclusion in the "DiscoMuseum." And once again exhaustive searching has brought little to light about the man and his legacy.
Through several short articles that I found I was able to determine his birthdate as November 25, 1943. Here is the very brief facts that I can share with you about Tom Savarese: His first spinning experience was at a small New York venture called "Club Cabaret." "Those days were a disaster," he recalled in an interview. Working through trial and error during the days when discos were new and the exception to the entertainment rule, he developed the technique which made him a well known name among the industry. "I went at it to be the best, and best known," he admitted. "It satisfied something in me that had to be accomplished." Volatile and tempermental, he conducted a personal campaign to make the world, and especially club owners, aware that D.J.'s are not just "some guy spinning records" but an artist and entertainer. "I'm a performer, and these people out there had better know they're being entertained," he shouted. For two years, 1976 and 1977, Savarese and his friend Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro, shared honors as the "National D.J.'s Of The Year" named by Billboard magazine's International Disco Forum. In 1977 Savarese did the remix for Chic's mega-hit "Dance, Dance, Dance." It made him the first D.J. to remix a Top Ten 12" single hit when it rose to number 6 across the nation. Later in 1977 he became the first program director for the legendary remix service "Disconet." His early mixes on the first several issues are highly sought-after collector's items. That same year he made history when for the first time in the recording industry, credit for music coordination was given equal billing to the album title on "T.K.'s Disco Party." Which he proudly mixed. He also laid claim to being the first D.J. at the legendary "12 West" club, one of the earliest and chicest spots in New York. By 1979 Tom had become disillusioned with the New York scene and was offered an obscene amount of money to move to Italy and take up residency at "Picchio Rosso" in Modena. At this point is where Tom seems to have fallen off the disco radar. I was unable to find out anything after that move other than his alledged departure in February 1990. Since then I was informed that Mr. Savarese was NOT dead (Thank God!). Marty Angelo of "Disco Step By Step" fame (thanks Marty!) recently wrote me: Hi, I am glad to announce contrary to your Tom Savarese webpage .. that Tom is still very much alive and well ... Thank God. I know you will be very happy to learn this good news. I talked to him for almost an hour and he e-mailed me some of his memorabilia which I uploaded to "Disco Step-by-Step." I am sending him a copy of this email for his records and it will give you his email address so you can communicate with him direct. I know you are rejoicing as much as I am knowing we still have our precious brother amongst us. I am sure this is one webpage you will not mind modifying. And I know you will have a big smile on your face while doing so. Marty Angelo After his e-mail I wrote Mr. Savarese and here is his response: Dear Mr. Goss: Don’t sweat it. I guess for all intent and purposes, I am dead. The whole thing is dead…Disco I mean. But Dance still lives. It has always lived and thank whoever for that. We can talk about what you want to do on your website. It’s very nice of you to take time out of your day to do these pages for people. Sincerely, Tom Savarese What a gracious and charming gentleman Mr. Savarese is. I appreciate his response to my e-mail and look forward to letting all of you know what Tom has been doing since his move to Italy......thank you Tom! |
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