TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JOHN CEGLIA # 155 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA
Lenny Fontana, acclaimed DJ, producer, and host of the popular True House Stories® podcast, welcomes first generation disco pioneer DJ John Ceglia for an exclusive interview that delves deep into the golden age of dance music and reveals never-before-told stories from the nightclub revolution. In this compelling episode of True House Stories®, John Ceglia spens up about his remarkable journey as one of the youngest major DJs of the entire disco era. Starting his career at just 17 years old in Buffalo, New York, Ceglia quickly rose to prominence, eventually becoming a resident DJ at some of New York City's most legendary venues including Studio 54, Underground, River Club, Palladium, Limelight, and New York-New York. The interview provides an intimate look into Ceglia's experiences during the disco heyday of the late 1970s and early 1980s, offering listeners rare insights into the creative techniques, crowd psychology, and musical artistry that defined an era. Knownfor his innovative approach to mixing, Ceglia was famous for creating musical conversations between records, having vocals from different tracks answer one another in seamless, extended overlays that captivated thousands of dancers.
"I was always drawn to music from a very early age," Ceglia shares in the episode. "I loved the thrill of hearing something new and wonderful on the dance floor. When I would prepare a program for an evening, I would ask myself certain questions – what would be exciting for me to hear following this record if I was out there dancing?” One of the episode's highlights is Ceglia's recounting of his historic performance at the 1979 "World's Largest Disco" event in Buffalo, where he represented the city and performed before 17,000 people alongside legendary DJs including Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro, Mike Lewis, and Charlie Anzalone. This landmark event, featuring live performances by Gloria Gaynor, the Trammps, and Edwin Starr, served as the springboard that launched Ceglia's New York City career. Lenny Fontana, himself a legendary figure in house music with decades of experience at venues like Studio 54 and performances at Pacha Ibiza, guides the conversation with deep understanding and genuine curiosity. Fontana's extensive background in the music industry, including his crossover hit "What You Need" and collaborations with artists like Octah'via of C+C Music Factory, makes him the perfect host to explore Ceglia's storied career. The interview also explores the unique atmosphere of different clubs and their distinct crowds highlighting on his new venture with party impresario Christina Visca called Come Together.
