There aren’t many artists that have been immortalized in rhyming slang, but Pete Tong is now well and truly a part of everyday culture for his name and his essential mixes.
Born in Kent in 1960, Tong took to Djing from an early age and played his first public gig at 15. Never sticking to just one thing though, Tong took on many roles while he was coming of age. He and school friends used to promote local bands for extra cash, he booked for a local alternative night and even became held the ‘features editor’ position at ‘Blues & Soul’ magazine. He left this role to become an A&R for London Records and this is when he was first introduced to the new sounds of Chicago House.
Tong fell in love immediately and arranged a compilation album ‘The House Sound of Chicago, Vol. 1’ , a first for the relatively new genre in the UK.
Tong helped to further popularize the genre when he took the helm at a new Electronic Music radio show the BBC were launching and in 1993, alongside producer Eddie Gordon, the ‘Essential Mix’ was launched. The show gained popularity among the booming House music crowd both in the UK and internationally and before long, Pete Tong was an in demand DJ.
He has had residencies in Ibiza, been appointed MBE for his services towards Broadcasting and Music and was behind a number of popular compilations that were all over the charts in the late 90s.
Paul van Dyk
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