CLUB D.J. PROFILE

Luis Mario "Flaco" Orellana - Chairman of the Board of Legends of Vinyl

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Celebrating 4 decades as a top Night Club D.J.

First D.J. to Pioneer "touring" across the country and abroad in the early 70's. Representing New York club DJ's throughout the country and David Mancuso's and Eddie Rivera's I.D.R.C. Record Pools.

First D.J. to perform live 4 hour non-stop in New York's Radio WKTU FM in 1978.

The only D.J. to make history by “Killing” Disco in Las Vegas to introduce the “New Wave” era, broadcasted around the world by Entertainment Tonight in 1980.

Founder of the Legends of Vinyl & Co Founder of The DJ Hall of Fame in 2006.

I think I’m one of the fortunate people who selected my professional career while still in High School, and not once have I regretted selecting my profession to this date.

My professional DJ career started in 1970, landing short lived jobs and learning trade by watching and being an understudy for DJ Francis Grasso, a wonderful friend and mentor.

In the early 70s I became a member of the first Record Pool 99 Prince Street (David Mancuso). I remember meeting a group of disc jockeys, the original masters, and I was part of it. DJs like Walter Gibbons, Bobby DJ Gutadaro, David Rodriguez, Steve DAcquisto, Al Garcia, Leo Sayan, Eddie Rivera, Paul Casella, Michael Capello etc. (See photo of Record Pool Meeting on Love Saves The Day Book by Tim Laurence Pg 160) Years later I became a member of Eddie Riveras Record Pool I.D.R.C. (International Disco Record Center). I met the 2nd generation of top DJs of the mid 70s

In 1973 afterhours/underground clubs where too few to get into as a DJ, so just like so many other DJs I had to join The Mainstream Clubs and I landed a job at Mr. Laffs Owned by Art Shamsky and Phill Linz, two ex Yankee players, on First Ave & 64th St. In a matter of weeks the line of people outside waiting to come in extended around the corner. They were coming in to partake in the wondrous musical trip that educated the minds of all my following based on my musical training beginnings in the Sanctuary, The Haven, Machine 1, The Jungle, The Loft, Superstar. A dream came true when I was asked to play at a membership only afterhours "Private Club. This club had the Underground admosphere touch, thats why I felt at home.

The place was called Cobra's, a most decadent atmosphere where the artist will come to hang out from musicians to actors. Cobra's was on the 7th floor of 18th & Broadway, owed by Dennis Johnston/Dennis Cobra. The ambiance started in the elevator where a dancer from the Trocedero Ballet Co. (a gay ballet company) would welcome you with a differently decorated elevator every Friday and Saturday night. 7 floors up you walked into a living room where the hostesses were several Cobras in a large enclosed aquarium. You could actually trip your night away watching these snakes munch on guinea pigs and rabbits. Enough said!!! What a trip of a job that was - I loved it.

Throughout the 1970s I worked at such clubs as Le Cocu, The Sting, Directoire/Twinkle Zone, Abracadabra, Cork & Bottle, The Ritz, Night Moves, Reflections/Ginza, Adonis, The Tower Suite Disco, The Rooftop, Les Muches, Studio 54, The Top Floor, Percival, L'oubliette, Rockabout, Magique, Somebody's, Chip n Dales, Mr. Laffs, The Rainbow Room, Top of The World, Avolation, Melons, Levels, Stillwind, Iperbole, The Lollipop, Green Parrot, Galaxy, Ground Zero, The Cat Club, The Copacabana.

This was just in New York. In 1977, I was part of the Billboard Convention in New York and I met a Disco producer Jessie Sertain who had an idea for a great project in Honolulu Hawaii. I was chosen to be part of Disco Fever 2000 my first out-of-state performance making me the first DJ to tour nationally and abroad.

When I got back to New York I was approached by Phil Gary the man who brought the Rolling Stones to The States, he was also interested in my ability to make a night an unforgettable experience and got me out of state gigs. In 1977 another producer Roy Webb got me to be the first club DJ to play in a radio station for the first time WKTU FM was creating a show to have famous DJs playing continuous music throughout the entire 4 hour show just like in the dance clubs. I also toured in Dallas Texas - daVinci, Max 151 - Los Angeles California - 20th Century Fox - Charlotte N. Carolina, Octaves - Louieville Kentuky.

After that, Las Vegas called and I was on my way to "Kill Disco" televised nationally at Club Money. And worked at Paul Ankas Jubilation. When I came back to New York I landed at world famous The Copacabana from 1980 1983 then I was once again called on by Roy Webb to open one of the most unique club/cabaret/theatre to hit New York The Cat Club. Where I had the pleasure to share the DJ booth with one of the greats my friend Paul Casella. For 3 more years I carried the responsibility to keep myself on top of the game. In the mid and late 80s I was pulled in so many directions by club owners that wanted the same concepts that I created for other top named clubs.

The 90s came and I was ready to tackle South Florida opening one club after another and keeping the endurance and energy to land major contracts. I had the opportunity to work and own clubs in South Florida. The famous "Lounge" in Coral Springs, Coco Loco's, Joseph's Landing, Conga's, Deco Drive, Miami Joe's, Polo Lounge, Cory Cafe, Savoy, Club Escape, Platforms.

Now in the new millenium, I have reached so many highs that I am ready to change once again with the new era, and to this day in 2012, I am reaching for new levels in playing. I can say without exception....What a Life!

The Legends of VinylTM are presented by Strictly Vinyl Events.