Well-known scene DJ David Hiscock died this morning (Saturday).
A disc jockey with more than 37 years of music experience, Hiscock was well-known on the scene having played at pretty much every venue in town.
Hiscock has been a resident DJ at the Midnight Shift since 2004.
His set at this year’s Mardi Gras party was one of the most popular of the night, drawing wide congratulations on a majority of online forums.
Hiscock’s start in the music industry was influenced by the Melbourne scene of the 1970s. From that time onwards he developed an encyclopaedic knowledge of music that would be the envy of any young DJ.
Hiscock spent a massive 18 years as DJ at the popular Newtown Hotel and had a loyal following spanning all ages.
He was once quoted as saying his favourite theme song was Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive and said he would like to meet Bill Gates to thank him for all the money he quietly puts into AIDS charities.
Share your memories of David Hiscock below on our forum.
Reading this article, I just feel numb.. I cannot believe something like this happened.
I remember back at the Shift I used to hang around the DJ box and bug him constantly to play Cascada and La Bouche tracks. Much to his dislike he’d play it!
Thanks for the great music, and the life long memories on the dance floor only you could make possible.
You will be missed, and you won’t be forgotten David.
Adrian xx
David you will be sadly missed.
You made people smile through the wonder of music.
You were a bright light on life’s dance floor.
Chris Carey x
David was such a beautiful soul, a fantastic DJ & someone who I would often turn to for advice as a DJ myself. As David lived in Marrickville, his local shopping centre was the Marrickville Metro & when I was managining the Sanity Store in the centre, without fail every week he would pop in to say hi, give me a copy of some amazing remix he had just found that he “thought I just had to have”!
He will be missed so much not only by myself, who had the pleasure of knowing him on personel level, but also the whole of the gay & lesbian community.
The music will not sound the same for a long time….
Craig – Newtown.
There will be small tribute tonight at the midnightshift from 9pm for David followed by an officil one from he midnightshift in the coming week. I will miss you David!
Love always
xâ„¢
Hi, many, many years ago I was a young girl out on a limb with many emotional problems and David very kindly offered me his spare room. With his help I had many laughs and fun times. It is with a big smile I remember him and his self effacing humor. Outrageous explanations to telstra as to why he had such an exorbidant bill always managing to twist it to his advantage….. So David it is with fun wishes and lots of love from me and Donna Summer! (He will understand) Carolynne
David Hiscock played the soundtrack to people’s lives.
For me it will be never forgetting how he played the 12 inch dance mix of ABBA – The Visitors at the 1988 Mardi Gras. My first Mardi Gras and (I think) his first playing that event. I remember visiting his place just before that MG and him talking excitedly at length about his plans for the music he would play.
I last saw him two years ago at The Midnight Shift – and he played ‘The Visitors’ by ABBA again when he noticed I was on his dance floor.
The, when you looked up, he smiled at you and let you know he knew the song you liked. That is how he was. A lovely man in a community where we need more like him.
His smile and his clear joy at playing the music – for all of us – is a lesson in a life very well lived.
Vale David, and thank you for the music.
With love,
Ian Johnson
Paris, France.
David Hiscock played the soundtrack to people’s lives.
For me it will be never forgetting how he played the 12-inch dance mix of ABBA – The Visitors at the 1988 Mardi Gras. My first Mardi Gras and (I think) his first playing that event. I remember visiting his place just before that MG and him talking excitedly at length about his plans for the music he would play.
I last saw him two years ago at The Midnight Shift – and he played -˜The Visitors’ by ABBA again when he noticed I was on his dance floor.
Then, when you looked up, he smiled at you and let you know he knew the song you liked. I expect thousands of people could tell a similar story.
That is how he was. A lovely man in a community where we need more like him.
His smile and his clear joy at playing the music – for all of us – is a lesson in a life very well lived.
Vale David, and thank you for the music.
With love,
Ian Johnson
Paris, France.
This is very sad news.
David Hiscock had spent his whole life spinning music so we could all dance.
The last time I saw him was at the Midnight Shift.
I remember the dance floor was packed with happy punters dancing.
Seeing people having a good time on the dance floor is the memory I will take with me of David Hiscock because of his contribution to our community over many long and happy years.
David was a beautiful man to know. Always happy and willing to oblige with a request or settle a musical question. An amazing DJ who had an encyclopedical knowledge of dance music. His music gave me a lot of happiness and it was a pleasure to know him for nearly 30 years.
My condolences to David’s family – I know he will be missed
I have known David for approx. 12 years. When I first started out in the Drag industry he was always full of support and encouragement. And even now after not being part of the industry for around 3 years, David would still go out of his way to say hi.
David, never having a bad word to say about anyone, Always able to find the good in people. The world would be a better place if we could all be a little more like him.
He will be deeply missed by many, and our world was so much better knowing him.
David, Goodbye dear man. Never forgotten.
Miss Rusty Boxxx. (Baulkham Hills)
i will miss you David! You were there for me when it felt like no one else cared!!!!!! You will be missed. R.I.P
I cant belive this has happened, everywhere you’d go you would either hear “david hiscock” as the dj or you would read his name on all the posters.. rest in peace.
As a Melbourne DJ myself for many years up until 1995, when David moved to Sydney, i could never keep in touch with him as much as i would have liked. I always thought there would be more time. We first met in 1977 (do the maths) and we became lifelong friends. I credit a lot of my success as a club DJ to David even though he always said “It’s because you have the gift Andrew, any fool can learn how a mixer works in about thirty minutes!!!”. Can you imagine, in our politically correct world of today, what would have happened if that was said now? Yikes! The music on the dance floor just became a bit quieter over the last 24 hours. See you at The Big Mardi Gras in the sky. I love you mate! Rest In Peace, Andrew Collins, Melbourne, Victoria.
I ran into one of the bar staff from The Shift this morning who told me the bad news. Commiserations to David’s family and friends… A genuinely nice guy who will be sadly missed.
My thoughts go out to David’s family and friends.
I remember many a lonely night where I would go and talk to David in his DJ box at the Newtown and would end up feeling a lot better about things after a night with David.
When ever I was there and hadn’t gone up to say hi he would be taping on the DJ’s window when dancing in front of him to get me to come around and find out how I was. When I first did Drag at the Newtown he was there to give me encouragement and then most importantly my first crush on a friend of his he was there listening to my insecurities and encouraging me to make the first move.
David thanks for the influence you had on many lives, we all influence others but not many of us can give the joy that you did.
Love Andrew
There are so many words that could describe David. The word that most comes to mind in LOVEABLE. David was amazing. The time I would go to the Newtown and head straight to the booth and there i would stay for ages asking questions and being shown all his latest. Esp when he finally had a computer with all his music on and he could mix it from that. I had to have it so off I went in search of the program. He knew so much abot music and if you ever made a request , he played it. No matter if it was going to clear a floor. He loved everybody and we loved him. One of the only Dj’s that could play all the handbag music and see a wave of hands in the air and great big smiles on their faces.
David will be missed by all of us and I will miss seeing that ever smiling face.
Rest in piece David you will be missed.
Know who can i hound.
My thoughts go to all of his family and al of his friends
Steve W (Dj Tiff)
Funeral Blues
by W.H. Auden
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
[Wystan Hugh Auden]
David was an amazing dj, with a fantastic collection of music – spanning the decades we all loved.
He knew how to please the crowd, and would never say no to a request.
His sets at the shift on Sunday evening and at mardi gras were legendary.
Some of my best niteclub memories will be the music he played and the chats we had.
RIP my friend, you will be truly missed.
Luv
Richard
Everything written on these posts celebrating David’s life are true and beyond…I can’t imagine what life will be like for dancers in Sydney as they dance on.
One can only wish in their lives, they have a chance to meet someone like David.
He will forever be, one of a kind.
Play on, my friend !
Vincent Degiorgio
Darling David,
We all smile when remembering your cheerful face glowing in the DJ box while sharing your joy and love of life through the music.
So many years at the Newtown, always with a smile to greet my camera and a story or a new tune to share.
I remember the transition to playing, and mixing, CDs rather than records – it seemed so strange at the time. Now a record seams like a strange thing for most DJs.
May peace and all your favourite music be with you now
xoxox Mz xoxox
David was a true gentleman. I was fortunate to know him for over 20 years.God has a new angel today. And the soundtrack will be fantastic!!! All my love ‘Hilda’. xxx
Mr William.
I remember my very first night in a gay bar, was the Newtown Hotel on a Thursday night, and David was the DJ. Back in the very early 90′s and the little dancefloor was packed. David was spinning the best (and the worst) of 80′s pop – It was fantastic!! There were many many more nights with Kylie remixes, packed dancefloor, and David’s face smiling from the DJ booth. He brought a lot of joy to many people over the years, I’m sure.
Though I can not claim to be a friend of David’s he would always have a friendly smile and a nod of hello as he passed you in the bar. Song requests were always accomodated and if he could stop to chat about the artist, or the remix, or anything else to do with music, he usually would. A beautifully gently soul.
David, thank you for all the fine memories from the dancefloor. I hope your family and friends find comfort knowing you have touched so many lives through sharing your love of music.
David,
Thank you for the music, something we could dance & mime too. Saying yes & putting up with all our requests. You always gave support, joy & cued our music for shows with a smile……. To me you are he Newtown & more recently the shift.
THANK YOU!
xxx
I met David in about 1982 when he DJ’d at the Honest Irishman. I have followed his music from there to the Newtown which was my local pub to the Midnight Shift. David was always approachable and whenever I asked him to play a favourite of mine, he always did. Not many DJ’s will interrupt their set to take a request but David liked to keep the punters on his dance floor happy. He touched our hearts, our souls and made out nights out, fun and enjoyable.
I am still in shock that our Dave has been taken away from us. He was a lovely man who as far as I know, didn’t bad mouth a soul. We need to learn from his kindness and love for he will always be a legend in my heart and memories.
Dave, you gave so much to so many people. We will always remember you for you smile, your generousity and the fantastic music that took us to nivana.
I sincerely hope that you have found a happy place to rest.
All my love for making my life special. You are and were, the best.
Glenn xxxxx
Thanks 4 the music had many great nites while david was in the box , he always kept up with todays music and didnt fail to keep playing all the true classics , from the newtown hotel to the midniteshift , just last sunday i was at the shift , and a bf that i dated 15 years ago turned up , we saw each other but didnt approach each other , then magically , as if he knew david played one of our fav songe that we use to dance to at katana klub , ”the love i lost ”the moment he played it , we came together as we were suddenley transported back in time , ill never forget that moment and i guess a lot of people who were touch by david over the years thru music will have lost an icon ,R.I.P david from rob
This is a very sad time!!
David Hiscock(RIP)……….Bea Arthur(RIP)……..Ouch
i use to bug him all the time to put on stevie nicks-and most of the time he did-i hope hes is up there playing for the angels.
michael x.
I can still remember my first night out on the Melbourne gay scene one Sunday night in October 1978. I went to Pokeys at the Prince of Wales Hotel in St Kilda and was so thrilled and excited about the music the DJ was playing. I went over to the DJ box, introduced myself to the resident DJ who was David Hiscock and congratulated him for playing the best dance music I had ever heard. From then on I never missed another Sunday night out at Pokeys.
David had continued his successful road of playing wonderful music throughout his long DJ career, both in Melbourne and Sydney.
Thank you David for being a great part of so many of our lives.
Upon one meeting that special person at a venue, the music playing can leave an everlasting memory. In that way you will never be forgotten.
In addition David was a true, loyal friend and mentor to many.
Sincere sympathy to David’s family and close friends.
Thank you for the music -“ Rest in Peace my friend.
Leigh Klooger xx -“ Melbourne Victoria
David you were the reason I looked forward to Friday nights at the Newtown Hotel and then Sunday nights at the Shift. Thanks for Taffy, Divine, Grace Jones and all my other requests – it just won’t be the same without you. Gay Sydney has lost an icon.
I’ve enjoyed many a night at the Shift and Newtown (when it had a dance floor. Actually, when it was open for that matter) thanks to David. Like everyone here, my condolences to his loved ones. RIP.
I knew David closely.
We worked for many a year @ Disco City record store starting around 1981.
His constant lashings of sarcastic & sick humour kept us all laughing even through some of the most trying times…….
His love for music & djing was apparent.
He loved his music & would spend hours formulating bits n pieces to wow his crowds.
An 18 year residency @ The Newtown…….probably the longest tenure for any Australian DJ.
David was one of the very first Djs to actually play in clubs/pubs in this country, beginning his DJ career in Melbourne in 1971.
Gary Glitter & Kiss were the order of the day & David was there playing it.
David also knew how to network.
In the 80s he was influential in getting a lot of overseas dance artists locally released on vinyl through his close association with RCA Records Australia.
He also had one of the girliests tastes in dance music one could ever hope!
God bless you David.
Rest in peace mate…..actually no…..turn it up to 11!!
I don’t know what else to say as everyone’s lovely posts have pretty much said it all. You inspired me in many ways David and I will miss you very much. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about you at Disco City, The Newtown or The Honest Irishman hotel.Thanks for putting me onto some great music in the early 80′s. I learnt alot form you.
Paully x
David, you were there playing your tunes when I first came out..(no doubt like many many many of us!) Your music infected my life and I have fond memories of many many nights and early mornings grooving away at the Newtown and the Imperial.
While your light has been taken from us, and we are saddened by the great loss, I think its more than fitting that you passed onto the Summer Land on Australia’s very own “Day of the Dead” You are a Hero and will be remembered with lots of love, and I am sure the Gods of Mount Olympus are now grooving to your tunes! May the party NEVER End!
The 2009 Mardi Gras Retro Space was fantastic this year, with David Hiscock. He really made it special. He recently posted his playlist for the retro space, after a number of requests for it. Very talented guy, who made 2009 Mardi Gras Party that extra bit special.
I never met the man, but heard of him, even here in Miami, in United States. With all the respect, I feel for you all. It is a sad time when we lose one of our own, a pioneer in the industry. I say lets play a few songs for him next time we spin. May God Bless.
Yes we have lost a true pioneer. A person devoted to his craft in all arenas.
Like myself…..he was about sharing music with people in order to take them away from the everyday…….through the art of dance.
I remember back in 1982……David & I were working @ Disco City record store together & we had the chance to do some broadcasting on community radio station 2RSR-FM here in Sydney.
We called the show “Beat The Street”.
I used to record 15 mins of music containing about 6 tracks with added efx & tape edits & call them “A Beat The Street Construct-A-Mix” Wish I still had them…………..
We used to play the hottest dance tracks that had arrived that week….every week, & had a ball doing it.
This is just another wonderful memory I have of working with David.
RIP.
What a terrible loss. Gay Sydney will be so much worse off now.
I knew David for a long time and worked with him for the past 3 years at the Midnight Shift. Our paths would cross almost every weekend in the dj booth. I have so many great stories and fond memories I don’t know where to start (I will remember these happy times every time I hear an Almighty remix).
David, you knew how much I appreciated your help, sense of humour and camp music. I told you numerous times how much I enjoyed working with you and how I appreciated your gifts of music. I was truly grateful for your generosity. What I wish I wasn’t telling you is how much you will be missed….
Thank you for the musical journey Hilda. A journey we hoped would last a lot longer.
Disco heaven will be a damn lot more fun now. I’m sure you’ll be playing our song.
Dean xx
Very sad news to hear of Davids passing. Many early memories of David at the Union Hotel,Blades and Pokies. Great times with Jan and Doug. David was a wonderful man true and honest. he will be greatly missed by many.
Sincere condolences to family and friends.
Laurie Page Melb Vict.
This is very sad indeed, I remember David when he played at the newtown hotel all some music, great jokes great guy, will be missed dearly, rest in peace my friend may god be with you on your next life in this big universe we all share .
very very sad. David will be surly missed. he was simply one amazing man from his great work at the newtown hotel to d for dance and pride music labels.i’m sure he is making them all dance in heaven.goodbye mate
YO bud ……
MERSMERIZED BPM 128 … BEYONCE SINGLE LADIES remix BPM 127 …..LADY GAGA BPM 126 …..GIVE IT TO ME MADONNA BPM 126
YOUR PLAYING THE RIGHT VIDEO MIX AND BPM AND WE DANCE ON THE DANCE FLOOR with your edirol and xone 92 mixer work out
good style and creativity and a friendly DJ that plays your request
everytime i vist sydney have a great time with friends
reminds me of BADLANDS in CASTRO
but sudden RIP
with deepest condolence and rest in peace
DJ Patrick
Daly City
San Francisco
California 94015
USA
David was my neighbour during the days of the famous house in St.Georges Road Toorak where a great many social times were initiated in the days just prior to the enslaught of the discos. In fact we initiated the discos in Melbourne. Most of the boys in the house were DJ’s in those days; Burnie did not DJ – he read books which littered the floor in the bedroom upstairs on David’s side of the house; we were tennants in a large semi detached urban house in St Georges Road Toorak. This house was the scene of many gay times in the 70′s. As well as parties we hired movies from the ABC and held movie nights in my large lounge; – ‘Mame’, ‘The Boyfriend’ and the crazy Monty Python series. I DJ’d at The Hollyford and others at the Melting Pot (The Dover), The Fenwick Street Hotel, Annabells. David did the Fenwick Street Hotel initially – in fact I was with him and our friend Tabatha the day he went to the Fenwick Street hotel to survey it as a new venue. Eventually David moved over to a venue in Queens Road – the days of ABBA – he played them endlessly – he made them popular. Then, I think he passed a period of time doing Pokies in St Kilda. His career was both comprehensive and extensive and his bouncy, endless ‘punny’ quips seemed to punctuate his entire dialogue when having any sort of a conversation with him: indeed he brought some measure of reality to Oscar Wilde’s claim that ‘life is too important to be taken seriously’. He will be be sorely missed by those who will remember him for his insistence on experiencing the jocular side of life. He was a gay soul in the truest sense and brought a joyful aspect to life. I had not seen him for many years now but have been jolted into these fond memories by this seemingly sad occasion. He has completed his task here. Thankyou David.
David, many years have gone past since I last saw you but I have fond memories of the Dover and the Union. I remember sitting in the studio at the ABC (Ripponlea) watching the News go to air when you worked there. I also remember many nights when you used to visit me when I ran Chaps at the Chevron (they were the days). I wanted to go to your funeral but work commitments prevented it. You were in my mind. May you rest in peace.
Denis Ryan.
Dear Hilda,
I fell out of touch since moving away and only found out today you have left us. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the good times as your former flatmate, and as a friend who will miss you deeply. Thank you for always having time for a smile, a frank conversation and a laugh. I can look forward to the afterlife knowing you will keep it pumping with fabulous tunes. Rest in Peace dear man.
Scotty (Wonderpossum)