20 years of house music: a round of applause for dj Pierre

Yes, it’s been 20 years and yes, everything has changed. The internet happened, clubbing went global, vinyl became obsolete (did it?) and downloads ruined it for everyone, except Apple’s marketing manager. Revolution is the buzz word during the 20 Years of House panel. Dave Clarke, Kevin Saundersen, Eddy de Clercq and DJ Pierre – who make up the panel – all use the R-word. For Dave Clarke, the availability of samplers and computers was the revolution. For Eddy de Clercq, it was discovering - around 1990, 1991- that dance culture had gone global, and he was booked to spin abroad. For Kevin Saunderson, it was a major shock to discover that house and techno music was big overseas – in his native Detroit, it was a strict underground phenomenon. And for DJ Pierre, co-producer of the classic and genre-inspiring Acid Tracks (by Phuture), it was DJ Ron Hardy who had the guts to play the home-produced cassette of the 303-inspired ditty that gave the acid genre its name. Says Pierre: “Acid is not a marketing product, it was made by the dj’s. Imagine what would not have happened if Ron Hardy decided not to play our track. I wouldn’t be here and acid would never have became a genre. I think the 303 is a real instrument, because it doesn’t reproduce sounds.” Dave Clarke regrets the lack of recognition in the US for Pierre’s innovative productions and asks for a round of applause. The room obliges with a well deserved ovation for DJ Pierre.