“Eye of the Tiger” is a song performed by the American rock band Survivor from the album Eye of the Tiger, released in 1982. It was used at the request of Sylvester Stallone for the film Rocky III. The mix of the song heard in the film features tiger growls, though these are omitted on the album and single versions.
I was born in Birmingham, UK in 1981. I moved to Manchester in 2002. I immediately threw myself into the large gay community that the city has to offer, with over twenty-five bars/clubs to explore I was definitely a fish out of water and looking back I realise that I was very naive. It was not long, though, before I had made a wide variety of friends from all different backgrounds.
Once learning that one of my friends, DJ Tin Tin, used to DJ at clubs such as “Heaven” in London and “Flamingo’s” in Blackpool I was very interested in finding out how music was mixed and was soon using every opportunity I had to accompany him in the DJ box.
I know that watching a DJ mix from one song to another can look very easy, and in some cases it is, but once I first got into a DJ box and witnessed a sea of buttons and switches I was completely overwhelmed. After a few weeks I started to find my feet and became very intrigued by what DJ Tin Tin was doing. I started to ask questions like, “What does that do?” and, “What happens if I press that?” Over time I felt confident enough to touch and push a few buttons knowing that for a brief moment I was at the controls and in charge of entertaining the crowd. This was a very scary feeling but also at the same time I got a funny sort of buzz out of it. It was not long until I was being allowed to do my own thing, giving me the chance to familiarise myself with the equipment.
Times change, however, and people move on. Sadly Hollywood Showbar is no longer with us and with no job I received a phone call from Cruz 101 nightclub in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village. On my first night there I was incredibly nervous and more than little scared because the venue was over three times the size I was used to.
After 5 years at Cruz 101 I would like to think I have made my place there and I currently work Fridays and Sundays. I really enjoy my work and I have a fabulous time doing it.