United States 
Interview: Nicky Siano Talks Hallelujah Disco and the Dance Music Gospel
9 years ago
Nicky Siano's career as a DJ and club owner significantly influenced the early disco scene in New York, pioneering music selection techniques and club culture.
Nicky Siano participated in a lecture for Red Bull Music Academy, where he discussed his pioneering DJ techniques like beatmatching and EQing, creating the proto-disco sound through funky soul and R&B.
Nicky Siano was invited to Week-End Fest in Cologne, Germany, where he performed a DJ set and held an artist talk.
Nicky Siano shared his favorite memories from a life behind the decks, including his time as a resident at Studio 54 and founder of The Gallery.
Born on March 18, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York, Nicky Siano began his influential career in the nascent New York club scene at a young age. In 1971, at 16, he secured his first DJ residency at The Roundtable. Driven by his passion for dance music and the communal atmosphere of events like David Mancuso’s The Loft, Siano and his older brother Joe Siano opened The Gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan, in February 1973 when Nicky was just 17. The Gallery quickly became a cornerstone of the underground disco scene, known for its focus on dancing, quality sound, and diverse music selection, attracting future legendary DJs like Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles who honed their skills under Siano’s mentorship. The club’s innovative sound system by Alex Rosner and Siano’s distinctive DJing style, which included elements like the use of three turntables and extending breaks, set new standards for the industry.
Siano’s career progressed rapidly, leading to a residency at the iconic Studio 54 upon its opening, where he DJed high-profile events such as Bianca Jagger’s birthday party. His sound at Studio 54 initially stood out for its underground alternative music selections, contrasting with mainstream disco. In 1977, Siano ventured into production, co-writing and producing “Kiss Me Again” with Arthur Russell, which sold over 300,000 copies on Sire Records. Despite his early success, the pressures of the club scene led to personal challenges, and Siano stepped away from the spotlight in the early 1980s. During this period, he became sober and dedicated 15 years to helping individuals living with AIDS, demonstrating a significant shift in his focus away from the music industry.
In the 2010s, Siano re-emerged with the film “Love Is the Message: A Night at the Gallery,” chronicling his groundbreaking club. He also made a notable return to Studio 54 for a special one-night reopening in 2011, curated by Sirius XM Radio, where he played original 1970s disco. Siano’s influence on DJ culture and disco history continues to be recognized, including features in documentary series like the 2024 BBC/PBS production “Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution.” His “Hallelujah Disco” show, featuring a gospel choir, exemplifies his enduring connection to the emotional and communal aspects of dance music.
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