Rating: 
Summary: Dancer of the dance
Review: Mel Cheren's autobiography, My Life and the Paradise Garage, is a compelling read. Not only does Mel give you an insight into the people that shaped one of the most influential clubs of all time but he also manages to take you through the ground-breaking changes that were happening to American society in the seventies and eighties. This book also stands as a testament to all the people that Mel partied with in this time that are no longer with us. However, the Paradise Garage is more of a footnote to this book. We hear how Mel helped finance it and so on, but it seems like Mel didn't actually party there that much; preferring the Saint with his Fire Island buddies. This book is great as an autobiography but if you're looking for any real insight into the Paradise Garage forget it.
Rating: 
Summary: My Life & His Life and Garage:Yes I damned sure danced!
Review: Mr. Cheren's book brought back profoundly beautiful moments in my life. I remember the first time I tried to get in the Garage someone passed me a little wrench and I a female tried to get in with no luck.In retrospect I now realize there were many people vying to get in and even though it might've been difficult to get in this was not giving Studio 54... this was even bigger & better to those waiting. Keep On Dancin' relives a time when there was hope, fun, love and carefree living before the onslaught of AIDS and the Giuliani ad- ministration. It brought back times before the Village, Soho, Tribeca became polluted with intense gentrification (before the market rents were artificially manipulated for greedy landlords). Those of us who enjoyed dancing and listening to Larry could not wait for Saturday (or Friday for some). Also, where else could you see Patti LaBelle perform for over an hour and not be in a concert venue (or see Grace Jones, or Two Tons of Fun, or Jennifer Holliday, etc). Mr. Cheren's book made me both smile and feel sad at the same time. I smiled because it was factually correct and I am glad the time was documented & I felt sad when I realized that there will never ever be a place or time like that again! This was a great book, I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end!
Rating:
Summary: My Life & His Life and Garage:Yes I damned sure danced!
Review: Mr. Cheren's book brought back profoundly beautiful moments in my life. I remember the first time I tried to get in the Garage someone passed me a little wrench and I a female tried to get in with no luck.In retrospect I now realize there were many people vying to get in and even though it might've been difficult to get in this was not giving Studio 54... this was even bigger & better to those waiting. Keep On Dancin' relives a time when there was hope, fun, love and carefree living before the onslaught of AIDS and the Giuliani ad- ministration. It brought back times before the Village, Soho, Tribeca became polluted with intense gentrification (before the market rents were artificially manipulated for greedy landlords). Those of us who enjoyed dancing and listening to Larry could not wait for Saturday (or Friday for some). Also, where else could you see Patti LaBelle perform for over an hour and not be in a concert venue (or see Grace Jones, or Two Tons of Fun, or Jennifer Holliday, etc). Mr. Cheren's book made me both smile and feel sad at the same time. I smiled because it was factually correct and I am glad the time was documented & I felt sad when I realized that there will never ever be a place or time like that again! This was a great book, I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end!
Rating:
Summary: Best book on disco ever written
Review: okay,I was really waiting to write this review,because it deserves a HIGH PRAISE and I really wanted to say it the RIGHT way.After I've read the review by KJG as well as Frankie C.,Tony Higgins...oh well actually ALL given reviews so far,I have to say that I couldn't have said it better. I am 26 years old and grew up in Frankfurt/Germany-far away from the Garage and New York-BUT thanks to my 8-year-older brother I grew up being introduced to House Music from the very early beginings on in the 80's since he listened to "the ultimate feeling of music"-MY MUSIC! This is the book I've waited for all my life! It gave me answers to so many questions I wanted to know about-how did this get started?who were the people behind it?what were their dreams?isn't this what we're all looking for?no second doubt-BET THE BOOK! *Mwah* Vonnie =)
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't have said it better!
Review: okay,I was really waiting to write this review,because it deserves a HIGH PRAISE and I really wanted to say it the RIGHT way.After I've read the review by KJG as well as Frankie C.,Tony Higgins...oh well actually ALL given reviews so far,I have to say that I couldn't have said it better. I am 26 years old and grew up in Frankfurt/Germany-far away from the Garage and New York-BUT thanks to my 8-year-older brother I grew up being introduced to House Music from the very early beginings on in the 80's since he listened to "the ultimate feeling of music"-MY MUSIC! This is the book I've waited for all my life! It gave me answers to so many questions I wanted to know about-how did this get started?who were the people behind it?what were their dreams?isn't this what we're all looking for? no second doubt-BET THE BOOK! *Mwah* Vonnie =)
Rating:
Summary: Keep on dancin......A "must read" for any DJ!!
Review: This book ( for me ) filled in alot of blanks, of how this scene, and this music got started. Mel pulls "no punches", as he describes his life(interesting is an understatment), and the Paradise Garage. even though, I am 30 , and missed the Garage, Mel's book made me feel like I was there. And if u were there, (as I have been told), he lets you in on ALL the gossip!! I recomend this book to any DJ who wants to learn where it all "came from", and to anyone who has been to the Garage!!
Rating:
Summary: Keep on dancin......A "must read" for any DJ!!
Review: This book ( for me ) filled in alot of blanks, of how this scene, and this music got started. Mel pulls "no punches", as he describes his life(interesting is an understatment), and the Paradise Garage. even though, I am 30 , and missed the Garage, Mel's book made me feel like I was there. And if u were there, (as I have been told), he lets you in on ALL the gossip!! I recomend this book to any DJ who wants to learn where it all "came from", and to anyone who has been to the Garage!!
Rating:
Summary: Keep on dancin......A "must read" for any DJ!!
Review: This book ( for me ) filled in alot of blanks, of how this scene, and this music got started. Mel pulls "no punches", as he describes his life(interesting is an understatment), and the Paradise Garage. even though, I am 30 , and missed the Garage, Mel's book made me feel like I was there. And if u were there, (as I have been told), he lets you in on ALL the gossip!! I recomend this book to any DJ who wants to learn where it all "came from", and to anyone who has been to the Garage!!
Rating:
Summary: Nothing Happens By Accident!
Review: This book was written with a lot of strength, courage and a lot of love. It was a touching tribute to friendship, loves lost and found. I laughed, cried got angry and was filled with so much emotion. Mel truly shared his experiences and life lessons and the lessons that one can and should learn about life. I truly loved this book. Thank you Mel.....For telling a story that needed to be told....You are so very right that "Nothing Happens By Accident" I intend to read it again!.......Big Fan!
Rating:
Summary: Nothing Happens By Accident!
Review: This book was written with a lot of strength, courage and a lot of love. It was a touching tribute to friendship, loves lost and found. I laughed, cried got angry and was filled with so much emotion. Mel truly shared his experiences and life lessons and the lessons that one can and should learn about life. I truly loved this book. Thank you Mel.....For telling a story that needed to be told....You are so very right that "Nothing Happens By Accident" I intend to read it again!.......Big Fan!
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