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  • DJ Tony Smith

    DJ Tony Smith saw it all during the halcyon days of Studio 54. Now, he relives the era on satellite radio. (Photo: DisCompany)

    With the “Studio 54” documentary by Matt Tyrnauer a regional hit here in New York City, we decided to take a look book at one of the definitive stars of those halcyon times when disco ruled in the ’70s and early ’80s.

    The era turned DJs into superstars. If you were the DJ at the various clubs like 12 West, Paradise Garage, HEAT, Xenon, New York, New York you were in demand and able to demand top dollar.

    If a hot record was released–be it Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” or The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You”–you had to have a DJ do a proper remix to play it in the clubs.

    One such DJ is Tony Smith, who played at Xenon and The Funhouse.

    He’s worked with dance musicians Nile Rodgers, Tony Moran and Chic vocalist Kimberly Davis, and produced a special remix of their song, “My Fire.”

    The collaboration marks Rodgers’ fifth, Moran’s seventh, and Davis’ first No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart in the summer of 2017.

    A remix of another Moran/Davis collaboration, “You’re Good For Me.” also reached No. 1 this past April.

    A Billboard magazine Top Ten DJ (1976), Smith jockeys his “Classic Beats & Rhythms” sound each week on SiriusXM’s Studio 54 Channel 54, or at events he DJs live.

    Tony grew up in the projects of Lower East Side in New York City. By the time he was 14, he had formed his own band.

    During breaks between band sets, he played records to keep the crowd buzzed. Getting people to groove and dance to his music immediately became a passion. that continues to this day. One of the good guys.

    Check out a trailer from the movie below.