Lately I have had plenty of time to remember the good days, when we I used to go into New York more regularly to go clubbing when I came out. Such fond memories and some very fuzzy, hazy and camp filled nights dancing for hours. In addition to many I think of, two always come to mind legendary DJ Junior Vasquez, who was one man to get me worked up and sweat, all while not having sex, but with his sick house beats...and the fabulous Kevin Aviance.
Oh qween….you know him.....
Hard to believe it has now been almost 24 years since his Cunty song was huge in clubs. But now, artist like Amanda Lepore, Blondie, Peppermint, and Sharon Needles are performing songs of Aviance's, in his soon to release EP, Lift Them Up 2020- The Aviance Remixes. All the proceeds will be going to the Black Trans Travel Fund, a most excellent organization for trans women.
Kevin Aviance has lived for the stage. All grown up, at six-feet-two-inches, Aviance carved a successful niche for himself in New York’s downtown nightclub scene. If he hadn’t gained the wider fame of a RuPaul, he had managed to parlay his gender-fuck shtick, give no fucks looks—bustier, boa, six-inch fuck-me heels, shaved head and basso profound voice— into chart-topping dance hits such as “Din Da Da” and “Rhythm Is My Bitch,” as well as an underground cult hit, his self-explanatory signature song, Cunty. Kevin Aviance was born and raised in Richmond Virginia along with his seven siblings, where he honed his skill at grabbing attention through music, dance, and theater in the basement of his house. Citing influences from Grace Jones, Boy George, and David Bowie, Kevin's career as a performance artist and club personality began in Washington DC when he was introduce into The House of Aviance, a community of DJ'S, singers, actors, drag queens, visual and performing artist, founded by house Mother Juan Aviance. After a hot stint in Miami, Kevin eventually moved to the epicenter of the club and music scene in the 90's: New York City, becoming the undisputed queen and club kid of the nightlife of night clubs like Sound Factory...a good time, Arena, Twilo, some of the best dancing I remember, and the Roxy...simply legendary, and where I first experienced this magical creature. It was his collaborations with Junior Vasquez who really gave Kevin that huge push to well known status in clubland though. I can remember many a night, dancing for hours to the two of them in jeans and tank top, drenched in sweat, along with bumping with about 300 other gay men having church to Junior and Kevin, and when he hit the floor, it was like parting of the dead sea!!!!
Kevin brought much needed attention to the epidemic of hate crimes when he himself got national attention being the victim of a gay bashing by several men in 2006. After doing the talk show circuit, it opened the doors to bring the club kids out into the light on these talk shows. Kevin has also been thrilled and honored to receive his knighthood by the Imperial Court for the 30th anniversary of the Night of a Thousand Gowns. Ahhhhh, good times...we need more legends like Kevin.
I missed out on the club scene of the '80s and '90s and the drag scene. I only know of Kevin Aviance because of his work after he was bashed. So, thanks for this and all I learn from you. Din Da Da is incredible. The video, beat, and rhythms are hypnotic.
ReplyDeleteOMG Kevin is LEGENDARY. He's been a NY staple for decades and deservedly so. I actually have some of his mixtapes (both bootleg and from iTunes, natch). I think I ran to buy his music when he was attacked.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love! His not giving two fucks about what the Gaystapo thinks. Now, is that DEBBIE fucking HaRRY in that video?
XOXO
Why yes....yes it is fucking Debbie Harry. She has a song on his remix ep!
DeleteAll right no gurl...one of the community,s Patron Saints in my opinion. The community these days missed out on the camp side...they have no idea what they missed...and Din DaDa!!!!!! OMG!!!!!! LOVE HIM!
ReplyDeleteI agree....we need way more camp these days!!
DeleteI'd heard the name and some of the stories, but thanks to you, i know more.
ReplyDeleteThe more you know .... and shooting star!
One word with Kevin....LEGEND!!!! Miss thing kept the girls voguing to her clubs anthems back in the days. I look forward to the remixes....Peppermint sounds amazing.
ReplyDeletePositive role model. That's a great accomplishment. We need more like that.
ReplyDeleteI can remember seeing Kevin when he hosted every Saturday night into Sunday at Arena...he would perform these songs right in front me...and I remember seeing him perform DinDaDa at the Palladium with awesome light show. To go back and appreciate it again would be cool.
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of talent!
ReplyDeletetake care, xoxo :-)
Some songs just take me right back to being single and drunk with my friends so long ago. I know exactly what you mean. It's almost to point where I will hear a song like that on a Tuesday and have to turn it off. Maybe on a Friday I can leave it on because I can get drunk at least, just can't do all the other stuff I did back then.
ReplyDeleteOh man.... Did we used to bang the hell out of his songs on the dancefloors!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like I fell into another rabbit hole. A nice one though.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a better ringleader!!!! And yes that song was the bomb!!!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post on this campy legend. He does the lashes and how beautiful is all the bead work on his face??? A creative soul.
ReplyDeleteKevin Aviance and his music = good times!
ReplyDeleteThat is Debbie Harry! And who else? Oh, I am intrigued. Thank you for sharing this story. I love a good gay history lesson. So many have overcome so much. Junior's remixes are legendary. I adore dance music and am a huge fan of the club play chart at Billboard. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteYes Debbie!!!! Amanda Lepore, Peppermint and Pittsburg queen Sharon Needles are the other visible ones.
DeleteI think I have every Junior tape CD he put out...one way or another.
a community gem!
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen those videos, love how colorful some details are in the photos! 💚🧡💙💛
ReplyDeleteThat was an excellent club anthem
ReplyDelete