Pete Tong

Pete Tong.

Pete Tong (born July 1960) is a British DJ who works for BBC Radio 1 in the United Kingdom. He is known worldwide by fans of electronic music for hosting programs such as Essential Mix and Essential Selection on the radio service, which can be heard through Internet radio streams, for his label FFRR Records, and for his own performances at nightclubs across the globe. Tong has also worked as a music producer.

The phrase "It's all gone a bit Pete Tong", where the name is used as cockney rhyming slang for "wrong", was reputedly first coined by Mark Radcliffe. However, on his show of 28th November 2005, Mark Radcliffe credited his erstwhile sidekick Mark "Lard" Riley with inventing the term.

It's All Gone Pete Tong is also the title of a recent (2004) comedy film, which is somewhat biographical in its portrayal of a DJ's experiences as he realises that he is becoming deaf. Tong makes a brief appearance in the film, as himself.

Early years

Pete Tong was born in Dartford Kent during July 1960 and was educated at King's School Rochester.

Pete's original musical interest was in drumming, but he soon moved on to DJing. He played his first public gig at a friend's wedding aged 15. While at school he and a couple of mates earned some extra money by promoting a couple of local bands, booking halls for gigs etc. He also worked as part of the Kent "Soul Mafia" bringing soul weekenders to seaside towns like Caister-on-Sea and Prestatyn.

Initially after leaving school he set up a mobile disco based in a transit van, but he soon started his own club in Baker Street called [Family] Function. He also booked bands for an alternative night, the first of which was the then unknown Culture Club.

In 1979 he became a staff writer for Blues & Soul magazine. After a year he was promoted to features editor, a position he would hold until 1983. He left Blues & Soul to join London Records as an A&R manager.

Through his connections in London Records Pete was exposed to newly emerging house music sound from Chicago. In 1986 Tong organised a compilation album, The House Sound of Chicago, Vol. 1, the first British release to gather and expose this genre.

Radio Career

Pete's first appearance on Radio was in the early 80s when he appeared on local radio station BBC Radio Medway in the 'Soul Mafia' and doing occasional mixes for Radio London. Then in 1981 he made his first appearance on Radio 1 hosting a 15 minute feature on Peter Powell's show, playing the new tracks and covering the latest gossip and news from the dance world.

When Invicta Radio started up in Kent in 1984, Pete joined them to host a regular soul show, where he stayed until 1987. He was then hired by Capital Radio to present a weekly dance program.

Finally in 1991 Pete returned to national radio. As part of its desire to provide coverage for the growing club culture Radio 1 hired Pete to host the "Essential Selection".

The Essential Selection is a three hour radio show on Friday nights from 6-9pm in the UK. Often referred to by Pete as the "weekend warmup," it showcases the latest dance music, with the focus being on house, and informs listeners what club nights are on around the United Kingdom that weekend.

Pete's major passion is his goldfish "Freddy"; Pete still takes him on tour with him when he is away from the UK for a long period of time.

He still hosts the Essential Selection today, and is now the station's second longest serving DJ (after Annie Nightingale). Since 1993, he has also presented the Essential Mix on Saturday nights.

Pete is one of the worlds most recognised DJ`s, he draws people from all over the world to his famous `pure pacha` nights held at the Pacha nightclub in ibiza, which in 2006 is going on for a massive 17 week stint.

External links

[Pete Tong's homepage]
[BBC Radio 1: Pete Tong]
[WorldDJ.com Pete Tong Page] - Pete Tong biography, photos, upcoming events, booking details and summary of venues featured at (registration required).
[It's All Gone Pete Tong (film)] - Film whose title utilizes slang and contains a brief cameo of the DJ

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