IN THE HOT SEAT: NORMAN JAY MBE

Why Spurs & Not Arsenal?
Blimey! what a loaded question LOL! I guess I could ask you guys the same question - why Cardiff City and not Swansea? hehe. I suppose it's because I have a well documented aversion to any team that plays in red...especially the gooners, Man Utd, Liverpool etc. And for the record everyone here in da 'big smoke' knows that there is NO such place called Arsenal - it's a total invention! Tottenham on the other hand DOES actually exist as a place. I rest my case. Hehe

Your earliest musical memory?
Memory? What memory?? (hehe). My earliest musical recollection was probably hearing my dear old dad playing his treasured Nat 'King' Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Syl Austin 78's on his beloved old radiogram when I was possibly little more than the size of a LP cover.

Favourite track of all time and why?
Strangely enough, I don't HAVE an all time favourite track. I do have literally hundreds, maybe even thousands of tunes though - all from all the different genres I have been associated with and loved over the last three decades that I feel are special to me as they all remind me of mainly happy times in my life I'm pleased to say.

Favourite club?
Again as a deejay, I don't have a particularly favourite club - I honestly do enjoy EVERY venue I play as I have the (rare) luxury of being able to choose where and with whom I play for, so by definition, it cuts out the snide clubs or bars. It's true that on the rare occasion, I sometimes find myself in the 'wrong' venue with the 'wrong' crowd but that doesn't happen very often thankfully. I'm a professional and always try and give 100 percent wherever I happen to be playing. I've been a serial clubber for more years than I have been a deejay I reckon and have been lucky enough to have been to many legendary clubs both here in the UK and in the States as punter, from the Wigan Casino, Blackpool Mecca and Crackers (London) in the late 70's to the legendary Paradise Garage in New York in the late 80s. But I have to say that my favourite club(s) of all time have been my OWN. The Shake & Fingerpop warehouse parties, High on Hope, Bass Clef (mid 80s and mid 90's) and of course my defining signature gig, Good Times @ Carnival, London - still going strong and packing them in after nearly three decades on the streets of Notting Hill.

Why the fascination with crazy hats?
Oi! my hats aren't crazy! Did you know that back in the day you weren't considered to be properly dressed unless you wore a suitable titfer. As an old skool 'mod' - hats are de-rigeur for me. I've always worn and loved them. I don't own as many as people might think though. My partner Jane designed my most recent 'Shake & Fingerpop' head gear - the tall brown/grey peaked one's I'm often photographed in - and we've been commissioned to create a bespoke limited edition collection of them for our own head gear label next year. So look out for 'em!

Essential quality a human should have?
If I ruled the world I'd like all humankind to be blessed with an abundance of tolerance, patience and a whole lot of love.

Worst human quality?
I would banish all notion of HATE altogether. That for me is probably the worst of our so called human traits including racism.

Best Industry Moment/Experience?
I guess my best 'industry' moment (if you could call it that) would be my MBE investiture by the Queen back in 2002. That was an unbelievable and unforgettable day at Buck house. Insane.

Worst Industry Moment/Experience?
Fortunately for me, worst experiences have been mercifully few. I can't recall any at the moment.

Most embarrassing moment in your life?
I can’t recall any at the moment.

Weirdest request in the DJ box?
I'm pleased to announce that I've had LOADS of those 'weird' ones down the years - mostly to do with SEX (cough, cough!). Most are unprintable as I'm sure kids will read this! hehe

Funniest joke I ever heard?
Funniest joke? - Tottenham winning the premiership (boring)

What inspired you to get into the music business?
Funnily enough, I never considered myself to be in the music biz. That all ended when I left Talkin Loud records - a pretty successful record label I used to co run with Giles Peterson back in 1993. Since then I've been in the 'entertainment' business - as a 'deejay' entertainer who merely uses music to entertain. There IS a marked difference - trust me!

What in the world would you regard as priceless?
Life, my family and close friends are priceless. Then I guess it's my vast record and cd collection.

What music is playing in your car (or on your iPod)?
I've heard it said many times (by people who sometimes share my ride) that I possibly have the most sought after and valuable iPod selection any self respecting deejay or record collector could EVER want!

I’ll know I’m old when...
I know I'm old when... I can remember black & white telly, pounds, shillings and pence, Spurs winning the first division championship and NO internet!

The day I knew things could only get better was...
When Spurs thumped the scum 5-1 last season! (there IS a god!) LOL!

Your ideal dream date?
Being invited to play at Lamerica - now THAT's a date!

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
If I could meet one person eh hmmm.... that would have to be... ME!

Who has inspired you?
Just about everyone I have ever met/come into contact with since I was born has possibly left/made some kind of impression on me (either knowingly or otherwise) thereby shaping the kind of person I have eventually become today and for that I'd to like to personally thank each and every one of you past, present and (in the future) who continues to influence and shape in a POSITIVE way, the way I think/behave/look/am.

All the best to you & Craig!

Norman x