MEL CHEREN'S MEMORIAL

Mel Cheren, the head of West End records and AIDS activist, passed away recently and his memorial is tomorrow night. A legend in the dance community not only signing genius records like Karen Young's HOT SHOT, Taana Gardner's HEARTBEAT (which was sampled for Ini Kamoze's 90's hit HOTSTEPPER) and many other garage classics, Mel was also a key player in the making of Paradise Garage, which gave dj/producer Larry Levan a platform to work his magic and create the garage sound, which formed the basis of house mmusic. With bowls of free fruit and no liqour sold, the Garage was never a glitzy celebrity hotspot like Studio 54--though I'm sure equal amounts of drugs were on hand--the soul-drenched sounds created a community atmosphere which is revered decades after the club ended.


MEL CHEREN IN 1977



When the AIDS crisis hit, Mel actually donated a floor of the West End offices to a budding GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), which went on to become the massive community outreach that it is today. Talk about times gone by--can you imagine anyone in NYC even having an extra room to donate these days? Much less the generosity of spirit to do it?

In later years, Mel revived West End with releases like a remix of Carl Bean's I WAS BORN THIS WAY and new releases by openly gay acts Marty Thomas and Cazwell. He wrote a book of his experiences and was the subject of a documentary which debuted at the Gay and Lesbian Film festival in NYC this past summer.

His smiling face will be missed on the dancefloor, but his contributions to quality music and community service will NEVER be forgotten.

If you'd care to attend his memorial tomorrow night here is the info:

Please join us at a Memorial Service honoring and celebrating the life and achievements of Mel Cheren. The Service will be held on the evening of Thursday, January 17th at Saint Peter’s Church in New York City between 7pm and 9pm, doors will open at 6:30pm. To help remember Mel, there will be a blessing by Rabbi Cohen, performances by WestEnd recording artist Marty Thomas who will perform “I was Born this Way,” Taana Gardner and Dawn Tallman who will perform “Save a Place on the Dance Floor,” as well as testimonials by friends, family members, and leaders in the music industry.


BUNION, BARBARA TUCKER, SIRIUS'S ANTHONY "A-LO" LOPEZ, JOI CARDWELL, KING STREET'S JOE BERINATO, ULTRA NATE, BLAZE'S KEVIN HEDGES, UNKNOWN AND MEL CHEREN AT THE RELEASE PARTY FOR KEEP HOPE ALIVE, A DANCE COMPILATION WHICH WEST END LAUNCHED 3 YEARS AGO TO BENEFIT LIFEBEAT. (IT YIELDED BARBARA'S INTERNATIONAL SMASH PRECIOUS LOVE.




Saint Peter’s Church is located at 619 Lexington Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets, entrance on 54th between Lexington and Third.

A reception will be 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: http://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 will be 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.

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.

Mel’s book, “My Life and the Paradise Garage” and other West-End and Paradise garage memorabilia will be available for purchase, the proceeds to go to the three named organizations.

Please pass this announcement along to your friends, colleagues and organization’s members who might wish to attend.