By Steven M. Housman
Peter Rauhofer: DJ Personified
(Hollywood) In an industry that thrives on its audience’s insatiable need for change, yet constantly strives to hold the average consumer’s short attention span, there are few truly safe bets. Perhaps this is why Peter Rauhofer’s vast accomplishments seem at once so heroic yet still so intangible. It is indeed rare for a DJ/producer, especially one on the cutting edge of electronica, to persevere through more than a decade of rapidly changing consumer tastes. Rauhofer’s profound talent and continual evolution have dutifully earned him the utmost respect of his peers and a worldwide reputation as one of the most prolific and influential forces in electronic dance music.Rauhofer began his remarkable career as a DJ/producer after working for many years in various capacities within the music industry. After an eight-year stint as A&R director at the Austrian “indie” label GIG/BMG Records and establishing a solid reputation as one of the top DJs in Vienna, Rauhofer introduced himself to American audiences in 1992 under the pseudonym Club 69. His first single, the provocative hit “Let Me Be Your Underwear,” was followed by “Adults Only” and “Style,” both full-length Club 69 albums. He followed up those early successes with a series of international dance sensations including “Diva,” “Unique,” “Drama,” “Alright,” “Muscles” and “Twisted.” In 1999, Rauhofer joined house music heavyweights Victor Calderone, Junior Vasquez, Danny Tenaglia, Cevin Fisher and Razor & Guido in reinterpreting selected songs for “Re-Styled,” a remix version of the “Style” album.
Rauhofer’s first endeavor as The Collaboration paired him with Victor Calderone in 1999 to record the wildly popular “Do It Properly” with vocalist Deborah Cooper. The duo later remixed Madonna’s “Skin.” Brilliant remixes for Madonna (“Nothing Really Matters”, “Impressive Instant”), Whitney Houston (“It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay”), Jennifer Lopez (“Play”), Cher (with the help of Rauhofer’s Club 69 Future Mix, “Believe” went on to become the biggest record worldwide in 1999), Depeche Mode (Rauhofer’s version of “It’s No Good” was voted Best Remix of 1997 by Mixmag), Donna Summer (“I Will Go With You (Con Te Partir)”), Pet Shop Boys and others have solidified Rauhofer’s status as one of the most influential and visionary artists in the music industry.
Rauhofer has recently remixed for Brandy (“What about Us”), Kylie Minogue (“Can’t Get You Out of My Head”), Funky Green Dogs (“Rise Up”), Suzanne Palmer (“Show Me”), Whitney Houston (“Whatchulookinat”), Laszlo Panaflex (“Dance to the Music”), the legend herself, Yoko Ono (“Yang, Yang”), and the recent #1 Billboard Dance Hit “Safe from Harm” by Narcotic Thrust. He has also worked on remixes of “Walking on Thin Ice” by Yoko Ono and several more singles that followed. Rauhofer’s unique talent has helped more than 40 records reach Number One on the Billboard charts, earning him countless accolades including the music industry’s highest honor – a Grammy Award for Remixer of the Year in 2000. A second nomination in 2001 in the same category only solidifies Rauhofer’s status as a world class entertainer. A maverick at heart, he is never content with the status quo; conversely, he fervently attempts to redefine it. The only thing predictable about Peter Rauhofer is his undying drive to achieve perfection and the exceptional quality of his extensive work.
In early 1999, Rauhofer launched Star 69 Entertainment in conjunction with AOL/Time-Warner’s London-Sire division. The tremendous impact each of the singles released thus far has had on both dance floors and music charts worldwide is nothing short of remarkable. In just three years the label has had over 40 releases including the first compilation by internationally renowned DJ and remixing duo, Saeed & Palash, “Tide:Edit:07”. Currently Star 69 is experiencing great success with Rauhofer’s own compilation, “Peter Rauhofer: Live @ Roxy”. On the horizon is the release of “This is Star 69 Volume 2”, and a remake of the 1972 track by the legends, Yoko Ono and John Lennon, “Yang, Yang”. When he’s not anchored to his desk or burning the midnight oil in the studio, Rauhofer regularly puts his talent on display for live audiences at some of the hottest venues in the country and around the world. A coveted residency at Roxy (in New York City), keeps Rauhofer firmly in touch with his audience affording him the unique honor of setting the very same trends the rest of the world will eventually emulate. Boasting a stable of artists that rivals that of a major label (featuring Pet Shop Boys, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Yoko Ono, Lula, house diva Suzanne Palmer, and underground sensation Celeda; the latter two working on full-length albums due out in early 2003), Star 69 shines with the luminous intensity of a Supernova. The inexhaustibly creative DJ, producer, remixer, record label owner, photographer, creative director, and all-around visionary is the very definition of a Renaissance man. Peter Rauhofer is a success many times over who, by all industry standards, has consistently proven himself worthy of the numerous accolades he receives. Rauhofer is, and shall continue to be, a globally influential force in the music industry.
© 2003 Steven M. Housman. All Rights Reserved.