RIP David Hiscock
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.
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)
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.
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.
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
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
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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!!