Melvin Cheren
January 21, 1933 – December 7, 2007
LIFEbeat mourns the passing of lifetime Board member and great friend Mel Cheren, who died December 7, 2007. Mel was a tireless activist in the fight against AIDS and a true visionary in the music industry. While Mel is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew or were influenced by him.
Affectionately known as “The Godfather of Disco” for his championing of DJ’s, dance music and club culture from the early days of the Disco Movement, Mel Cheren began his five decade career in the music business at ABC/Paramount, where he became Head of Production. Moving to the same position at Scepter Records, Mel was responsible for many industry innovations such as the first 12-inch record for DJ’s and the first instrumental mix on the B-side, earning Scepter the “Trendsetter of the Year” Award from Billboard in 1974.
In 1976 Mel formed his own company, West End Records, with a former Scepter colleage. West End Records has been associated for over 30 years with enduring dance classics like “Hot Shot” and “Heartbeat.” In recent years, West End released popular compilation CD’s of remixes and live performances by legendary Paradise Garage DJ Larry Levan.
Mel was the financial backer of Paradise Garage, the landmark club created by his former life-partner Michael Brody. This history is well documented in Cheren’s autobiography, MY LIFE AND THE PARADISE GARAGE: KEEP ON DANCIN’ published in 2000 and in a recent documentary, THE GODFATHER OF DISCO. In 2005 Mel was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame with their Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor which meant a great deal to him.
For all of his accomplishments in the music industry, Mel was most proud of his work in support of various causes and charities and in particular his efforts in support of the LGBT Community and the fight against AIDS. He was part of the vanguard of gay men who first responded to the AIDS crisis in New York in the early Eighties and gave GMHC their first home in his Chelsea brownstone, which he later operated for over 20 years as a successful bed-and-breakfast, the Colonial House Inn. He was the founder of 24 Hours For Life, an AIDS charity that was the fiscal sponsor for LIFEbeat, on whose Board he served as a Charter Director. Mel was also quietly a friend to many friends and strangers in need as well as an accomplished painter. A large number of Mel’s works of art memorialize friends lost to AIDS.
It is a sad irony that he is a fatality of the same health crisis that he fought so long to eradicate. Even in his last days he took a stand for AIDS prevention in a cautionary interview aired on the LOGO channel throughout the week of World AIDS Day. Mel Cheren is survived and will be greatly missed by many family members, prominent among them being Illya Dehktyar, Mark Cheren and Barry Cherin, as well as a large extended family of close friends, colleagues and fellow activists.
A memorial service honoring Mel Cheren was held on the evening of Thursday, January 17th at Saint Peter’s Church in New York City. Nearly 250 of Mel's friends, family and colleagues gathered to celebrate Mel's inspirational life and achievements. The service included a blessing by Rabbi Cohen and emotional performances by WestEnd recording artist Marty Thomas, Taana Gardner and Dawn Tallman, and testimonials by friends, family members, and leaders in the music industry.
A reception was held immediately following the Service at Mel’s place, the Colonial House Inn located at 318 West 22nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues (website: www.colonialhouseinn.com). Colonial House Inn was not only Mel’s residence but is also an award winning bed and breakfast operating for over 20 years. The reception was held in the lobby which houses some of Mel’s original artwork as well as The 24 Hours for Life Gallery, a gallery Mel dedicated to the late artist, Keith Haring, who designed the logo for 24 Hours for Life, an AIDS charity Mel founded and fiscal sponsor for LIFEbeat.
Village Voice recap of Mel Cheren's memorial service
Donations in Mel’s honor can be made to GMHC, 119 West 24th Street , New York, New York 10011; The LGBT Community Center at 208 West 13th Street, New York, New York 10011; or LIFEbeat, 630 9th Avenue Suite 1010 New York, New York 10036.
Remembering Mel
The following publications posted remembrances of Mel Cheren.
About.com Dance Music/Electronica
American Athlete
BeatPortal
Edge New York
Fest21.com
LOGOonline
New York Blade
New York Sun
New York Times Article
New York Times Obituary
Next Magazine
SFist
Time Out New York
Village VoiceI
Mel and Grace Jones at the Paradise Garage in 1972.
Mel with his beloved pet schnauzers
Mel with Michael Brody, Fire Island Pines, 1973
|
