Pete Tong MBE

There are few individuals in the world of dance music who can claim the kind of influence Pete Tong has had on the industry. The legendary DJ stands as a monumental figure in the global electronic music scene, boasting a career that spans over four decades.

While he’s known publicly as Pete Tong the DJ, behind the scenes he’s an industry icon. His prestigious reputation and forward-thinking vision are the gold standard, second to none. As a distinguished DJ, music producer, and radio presenter, Pete Tong’s influential tenure at BBC Radio 1, hosting iconic shows such as Essential Selection and Essential Mix, he has solidified his role in shaping the dance music landscape.

These platforms have not only introduced groundbreaking tracks and emerging talent but have also cultivated a loyal, worldwide audience. Pete’s innovative spirit is exemplified through his Ibiza Classics shows, concerts that reimagine contemporary dance anthems with a 65 piece orchestra music. This unique approach highlights Tong’s versatility and global appeal.

The phrase "It's all gone Pete Tong", where his name is used as Cockney Rhyming Slang for "it's all gone wrong", was reputedly coined by fellow DJ Paul Oakenfold in a 1987 article about acid house called Bermondsey Goes Balearic for Terry Farley and Pete Heller's Boys Own fanzine. It’s also the name Tong adopted for his club night at the nightclub Pacha in Ibiza.

In 2021 Pete expanded his entrepreneurial spirit with the launch of The Pete Tong DJ Academy - an educational platform dedicated to nurturing the next generation of talent. Providing high-quality, accessible education for aspiring DJs through online courses designed and taught by industry experts.

Pete comments that he still finds so much joy in DJing and music production because he’s “always had a day job”. As an A&R, first at London Records in the 1980s (where he launched FFRR), he signed and released some of the acts and records that changed the course of music in the UK, from Lil Louis’ ‘French Kiss’; to hip hop pioneers Run DMC and Salt ‘n’ Pepa; one of the first post rave superstars duos in Orbital and the breakthrough of drum’n’bass in Goldie and LTJ Bukem.

A number one record with Shakespereare’s Sister saw him working with legends like Dave Stewart and George Harrison, and breaking All Saints led to a soundtrack collaboration with Danny Boyle for The Beach with composer William Orbit.

As music supervisor for films including Human Traffic, 24 Hour Party People, and It’s All Gone Pete Tong, he’s also soundtracked the movies that have most successfully documented the scene.

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2014 for his services to broadcasting and music. When all is said and done, one shudders to think what dance music would have been like without Pete Tong’s influence. Over the years, he’s played a crucial role in breaking new artists and changing the way people think about electronic music.