Pete Tong Reflects on Hearing Loss and a Lifetime in Dance Music
At 65, Pete Tong remains a towering figure in the world of dance music, still hosting his BBC Radio 1 show after 35 years and running a record label. In a revealing interview, he opens up about the personal costs of his career, particularly hearing loss, and shares insights on aging, the evolution of clubbing, and his enduring passion for music.
The Hidden Toll of a Legendary Career
Pete Tong's journey began in the 1980s, a time when the rave scene was exploding with energy and possibility. "I'm of an era where nobody ever got old," he says with a smile, reflecting on the youthful exuberance that defined dance music's early days. Today, he feels "blessed and lucky" to still be performing, having escaped the burnout that affected many peers. However, he hasn't emerged unscathed. About a decade ago, Tong was diagnosed with hearing loss in his right ear, a common issue for DJs and longtime ravers. "I'd been in and around music since I was 15, so I guess I wasn't surprised," he admits.
To protect his hearing, Tong started wearing earplugs while DJing, though he notes they made him feel "quite cut off" from the crowd. He has adapted by adjusting his mixing techniques to account for lost high frequencies. While he doesn't need hearing aids constantly, he uses them in noisy environments like meetings. Tong is now working with Boots to raise awareness about hearing protection and reduce stigma, emphasizing that newer devices resemble wireless earbuds. "I think there probably is a stigma – thinking that you must be old if you need a hearing aid," he says, "but then I'm not 20 any more."
From Humble Beginnings to Mainstream Success
Tong's career spans key moments in music history, from New York's early hip-hop to Manchester's Haçienda years and Ibiza's clubbing boom. He started as a mobile DJ with a Transit van, later working as a journalist for Blues & Soul magazine and at London Records, where he signed artists like Run-DMC. In the mid-80s, he joined the Boy's Own crew, helping to shape the rave culture that prioritized inclusivity over exclusivity. "The rave mentality was: everybody's welcome and everybody dances side by side," he recalls.
His Radio 1 show launched in 1991, coinciding with dance music's mainstream breakthrough. Despite the rise of superstar DJs and hedonistic excesses, Tong maintained a more grounded approach, attributing his longevity to having "things that keep you sane." He describes himself as shy, coming from an era when DJs were "hidden in the corner in the dark."
Navigating the Commercialization of Clubbing
Tong acknowledges his role in the commercialization of dance music, particularly with VIP scenes in Ibiza. "I'm part of the commercialisation of dance music," he says, noting that while early VIP mixes were exciting, things can get "out of balance" if clubs prioritize champagne sales over creativity. He believes the scene has a way of "resetting itself" when it loses its essence.
On modern challenges like smartphones in clubs, Tong takes a balanced view. He credits social media for music discovery but laments how it distracts from the live experience. "Everyone capturing the moment to tell someone else they were there, when they're not really there because they're on their phone," he observes.
Looking Forward with Ibiza Classics and New Music
Despite his legacy, Tong remains focused on the future. His Ibiza Classics project, which features orchestral performances of dance tracks, allows him to be "nostalgic in an original way." He continues to champion new artists, emphasizing that DJing is still about "getting the records in the right order to move the crowd." While he rarely stays out all night anymore, his passion for music discovery endures. "That's why I'm still here," he concludes, a testament to a career built on resilience and innovation.
