The Roots · New York
Larry Levan
The resident at New York’s Paradise Garage for ten years. The reason “garage” is a genre.
01
Listen
Start here
- Don’t Make Me Wait
- Heartbeat
- I Got My Mind Made Up
- Is It All Over My Face?
- Life Is Something Special
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The story
Who is Larry Levan?
Larry Levan was born Lawrence Philpot in Brooklyn in 1954. He grew up in New York’s club scene with Frankie Knuckles, and from 1977 he was the resident at the Paradise Garage on King Street, until it closed in 1987.
At the Garage he played everything: disco, soul, new wave, dub, early electronic records, and he remixed constantly. The sound the club became known for gave the world the term “garage”, and many of the records he played or mixed became classics through him.
He died in 1992, aged 38. His influence runs straight through New York house and every DJ who treats a long night as one continuous story.
The sound
Dubbed-out, emotional, unpredictable. Levan used EQ and effects like an instrument and wasn’t afraid to stop the room, play something left-field and win it back.
| Born | Lawrence Philpot, 1954, Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | 1992 |
| Residency | Paradise Garage, 1977–1987 |
| Known for | Garage sound, remixes, the Peech Boys |
| Start with | Peech Boys, “Don’t Make Me Wait” |
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If you like this
Dig deeper
Under the Radar
DJ Sauce
If Larry Levan is your starting point, here’s who to hear next: El Paso born, Juárez raised, Denver based. Lubdub Records founder. Eclectic house melodies to raw acid cuts.
04
FAQ
Questions about Larry Levan
What was the Paradise Garage?
A members-only club at 84 King Street in New York, open from 1977 to 1987, where Larry Levan was the resident DJ.
Is garage music named after Larry Levan’s club?
Yes. “Garage” as a style name comes from the sound associated with the Paradise Garage.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikipedia: Paradise Garage. Facts checked October 2026. Spot something wrong? Tell us.