DISCO FEVER HITS TOWN

The boom in the number of disc jockeys in Gloucester just goes to show that
disco fever is well and truly in town.

The close competition and rivalry between budding DJ's was evident in a disco
competition being run for the past three months in the city, writes Joey Wilton.

The finals last week at Tiffany's brought the competition to a climax, with Atmosphere II just beating Little Ian's Creation Disco.

Both are Gloucester discos and the winners Paul Palmer (20) and Sylvester Samuels (19), won themselves two hundred and forty pounds worth of disco equipment and prizes.

Runner-up Ian Fernehough, of Kingsholm Rd., who has just started DJ work full-time, won prizes worth one hundred and fifty pounds.

In third place was one of the visiting DJs who took part - Disco Fever, with Jeff Slater, from Buckinghamshire. Winner of the dancing competition was Donovan Smith, of Gloucester.

One of the judges, woman DJ Honey Bee Benson, who worked at Tiffany's until October, chose Jeff's disco to win a Scandinavian tour - with the possibility of an extended contract.

Organizer of the competition was Barry Brown, of Barry's Disco, who said he was pleased with the high caliber of entrants.

"We wanted more recognition for the disco scene and more respectability", he said. "There are now 300 DJs in Gloucester and although it is competition there is work for everybody. Disco's are the in thing. It is now a big industry."

And good news for any more hopefuls - he plans to organize a bigger and better competition next year.

September 11th, 1979

Charisma Wins The Day

The final heat of the Grand Disco Competition was held last week and now
entrants will be keeping their fingers crossed for a placing in the semifinals.

The winners of the fourth heat were two local youngsters who despite their brief
experience in the business, and a small rig, won over the crowds.

Under the collective title of Atmosphere II, Paul Palmer (20) and Sylvester Samuels 18), took on the two other outfits and managed to assure themselves a place in the battle to come. The competition organizer, Barry Brown, was highly impressed with the flamboyant style of Paul and Sylvester.

Second place went to Geoff Slater who had traveled from Chesham with Disco Fever. Third position was awarded to the Cheltenham-based Blue Ice.