Mel Cheren, a pioneering force in the dance music movement of the '70s and a fervent AIDS activist, died this past Friday, December 7. Known as the Godfather Of Disco, Cheren co-founded West End Records in 1976, which was one of the labels responsible for bringing disco to the forefront of popular culture. He went on to back some of the most popular nightclubs of that time in New York, including the Paradise Garage, whose resident DJ was Larry Levan. In addition to his contributions to music, Cheren was actively involved with the Gay Men's Health Crisis and started 24 Hours For Life in 1987, a non-profit organization of music and media professionals who raised money for AIDS awareness.
