DJ John Ceglia
Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s a group of talented DJs made their mark in the Pines as it was as noteworthy on your resume as a New York club. DJ John Ceglia joins our rank in Pines history.
DJ John Ceglia 1982
After moving to N.Y. in June of 1980, DJ John Ceglia was asked to be a panelist at the Billboard Disco Convention. He shared the panel with legendary DJs Jim Burgess and Bobby Viteretti, among others. Each had to do a mixing demo for the crowd of club owners, artists and DJ s from around the world.
John received a standing ovation for his demo….and one of those in the crowd was DJ Roy Thode (left). Roy was the most popular DJ on Fire Island at the time, playing at the Ice Palace in the Grove.
He invited John to come DJ on the Island in July of that year. In May 1982, Saint light man Jim Hicks was helping with scheduling at the Pavilion in the Pines. At the time the place to be on Saturday nights was still the Ice Palace with Roy in the Grove. Sadly on DJ John Ceglia’s 1st week as a DJ at the Pavilion in the Pines DJ Roy Thode passed away. As John played his 1st Saturday night at the Pavilion he noticed a crowd that grew, and grew as the night progressed.
This night started what would become a ritual in the Pines of all night dancing. No more migrating to the Grove to dance. The Dancers from the dance had found there new home.
Fire Island Villager 1982
He went onto play many Saturday nights becoming part of our musical soundtrack here in the Pines. He returned in 2010, and continues to be part of the Pines musical soundtrack.
He continues to experiment with his collaboration with other DJs both in NYC and Fire Island.
DJs John Ceglia & Michael Fierman
On Right with DJ Jimmy DePre
