About Legends of Vinyl®

Legends of Vinyl® is a national institution with a global reach, dedicated to educating, recognizing, and celebrating excellence in the art, culture, and evolution of spinning vinyl.

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Our members are Pioneer and Legendary DJs and recording artists who helped shape modern dance music from its earliest days. Many continue to perform for large audiences today, representing a rare and extraordinary community during the most innovative era of our dance music culture.

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They are the pioneers. The originators. The springboards.

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These trailblazers laid the foundation, and paved the road, for today’s ever‑evolving dance music landscape. No two Legends of Vinyl DJs are alike. Each brings a singular voice, style, and creative vision to the turntables, each one a Rembrandt in their own right.

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Every form of contemporary dance music can trace its roots back to this culture. For more than four decades, these legendary pioneers have remained a constant force in remixing, remastering, engineering, and producing the highest quality of music, music that continues to move dance floors around the world.

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Legends of Vinyl® is guided by prestigious, award‑winning, and Hall of Fame DJs and artists, and is chaired by founder and CEO Luis Mario Orellana Rizzo.

Luis Mario O. Rizzo is a visionary cultural curator, producer, and lifelong ambassador of vinyl-era DJ culture. With more than five decades in the music industry. His long‑awaited memoir, chronicling his life, career, and the evolution of DJ culture, is scheduled for release in 2026.

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A Little History

The original Legends of Vinyl DJ Hall of Fame was compiled using David Mancuso’s historic 99 Prince Street Record Pool list and Scepter Records Disco Gold Volumes 1 and 2. These sources document the first‑generation DJs, the pioneers active from 1970 to 1974.

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The Hall of Fame later expanded to include:

• Second‑generation DJs (1975–1979)

• Third‑generation DJs (1980–1984)​

 

It also recognizes vital contributors to the industry, including nightclub owners, lighting designers, sound engineers, authors, historians, and other cultural architects who helped shape the scene.

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The Recording Artists Hall of Fame was established in 2009.

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Since its founding, the organization has continued to grow, both nationally and internationally.

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What We Are Doing

Several years ago, the Legends of Vinyl Board of Directors envisioned a new kind of experience, a “mini Billboard‑style convention” centered around an awards ceremony to formally honor Pioneer and Legendary individuals.

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From an intimate yet influential gathering in Philadelphia to a star‑studded gala in New York City in September 2019, Legends of Vinyl® continues to fulfill its mission:

To celebrate our history and create a living legacy for generations to come.

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In June 2019, Legends of Vinyl® presented its first European Awards Ceremony in Gabicce Mare, Italy, marking a major milestone in its international expansion.

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That same year, the organization appointed its Artistic Director of Educational Special Events, launching a new educational initiative. The inaugural event was held in December 2019, with ongoing development planned as the program evolves.

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Giving Back

Legends of Vinyl® believes that giving back is not only a responsibility, but an honor.

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Our events serve as the perfect platform to preserve history, educate future generations, and celebrate the culture that changed music forever. For all of us, it begins and ends with a shared passion for music.

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For founder Luis Mario O. Rizzo, that passion has been a guiding force for more than five decades. It is the inspiration behind the creation of Legends of Vinyl® and the reason it continues to thrive.

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Legends of Vinyl® Board of Directors:​

• Ray Caviano – RFC Records. Visionary promoter and industry leader whose work helped elevate dance music into the mainstream consciousness.

• Steve Bogen – Respected executive and strategist with decades of experience supporting artists and music enterprises.

• Al Magliano – Veteran DJ known for his deep roots in club culture and musical innovation.

• Dan Pucciarelli – Esteemed DJ, music executive with a career in excellence.

• Frankie Sestito – Influential DJ and tastemaker whose contributions helped shape regional and national dance scenes.

• Paul Casella – Music industry pioneer, professional and advocate with a strong commitment to artist recognition and legacy.

• Roy B. – Celebrated record promoter and label owner and cultural contributor recognized for his role in advancing dance music culture.

• John Pasquale – Veteran music professional whose passion for vinyl culture spans generations.

• Lou Gramm – Legendary rock vocalist and songwriter, co‑founder and original voice of the iconic band Foreigner.

• Denise Montana – Accomplished artist and producer bringing creative insight and artistic leadership to the board.

• Lenny Zakatek – International recording artist and frontman of the Alan Parson Project and Gonzalez, whose global hits helped define the disco era.

• Carol Williams – Disco and soul icon, celebrated for timeless anthems that continue to inspire dance floors worldwide.

• George McCrae – Grammy‑winning recording artist and global ambassador of classic soul and disco music.

• Earl Young – Founding member and legendary drummer of The Trammps, architect of the iconic disco beat.

• Linda Clifford – Renowned singer, songwriter, and actress whose powerful voice shaped an era of dance music.

 

Together, the Board of Directors ensures that Legends of Vinyl® remains a trusted guardian of musical heritage, honoring the pioneers, educating the public, and safeguarding the legacy of vinyl‑era culture for generations to come.

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As we move into the future, stay tuned for exciting announcements as the journey continues.

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See you on the dance floor.

Luis Mario O. Rizzo Founder & Chairman, Legends of Vinyl®