Who

DJ and producer Tenaglia is one of the world's most esteemed spinners of garage and deep house.

Backstory

An Italian-American kid from Brooklyn, Tenaglia was an obsessive record collector growing up. By his late teens, he'd discovered Paradise Garage, the birthplace of garage music made famous by DJ Larry Levan, and in 1985, Tenaglia moved to Miami to start his own DJ career. Ten years later he returned to New York to take up residencies at Twilo, the Tunnel, the Roxy and Vinyl, where his famous "Be Yourself" party ran for five (sweaty, intense) years. Known for sets of stamina-defying length—he's been known to play for 20 hours straight—he's also released 12 albums over the years and remixed dozens of singles for artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Janet Jackson. His best known remixes include The Daou's "Surrender Yourself," Janet Jackson's "The Pleasure Principle," and, more recently, Depeche Mode's "I Feel Loved," which was nominated for a Grammy. Tenaglia's also responsible for remixing Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" in the early 1990s, but we won't hold that against him.

Of note

A legendary New York DJ (even though he's only been a NYC fixture for slightly more than a decade), Tenaglia is famous for his eclectic sets, which move between techno, classic soul remixes, and deep house. He's also established himself as a surprisingly ego-less superstar DJ, regularly listening to mixes that amateur DJs slipped him (and offering the occasional feedback) and replying to fans who email him. Although he's homeless these days and doesn't have a regular gig (his "Be Yourself" party at Twilo Miami ended when the club closed only a few months later), Tenaglia won't be filing for unemployment any time soon. A huge attraction on the international DJ circuit, he's a regular in Ibiza and major Euro capitals, and spins regularly in New York at Webster Hall and Studio Mezmor (formerly Crobar) on West 28th Street.

On screen

He's featured in the 2004 dance music documentary Maestro alongside dance-music heavyweights Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles.

Grudge

Tenaglia's often been cited as having had a "feud" with fellow veteran spinner Junior Vasquez over the past few years. For his part, Tenaglia says the story was overblown. "For the record, no, there was never a verbal argument between us," Tenaglia told the Village Voice.

Habitat

Home is a 6,500-square-foot Long Island City loft with Manhattan views and a 30,000-watt sound system from a now-defunct club. Tenaglia also keeps a Miami condo.

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