Disc Jockey Day is celebrated on January 20 each year. It honors DJs, the people who choose, play and mix music for listeners, whether on the radio, in clubs, at weddings or on streaming platforms. DJs have shaped popular music by introducing new artists, creating new genres and keeping crowds dancing. The day is often linked to Alan Freed, a pioneering radio DJ who helped popularize rock 'n' roll.
History of Disc Jockey Day
Radio pioneer Reginald Fessenden is often credited with one of the first broadcasts of music over the airwaves, on Christmas Eve 1906. As radio spread in the 1920s and 1930s, announcers began playing records on air. Gossip columnist and broadcaster Walter Winchell is often credited with coining the term 'disc jockey' in 1935.
In the 1950s, DJs became stars. Alan Freed, a radio DJ in Cleveland and later New York, played rhythm and blues for racially mixed audiences and helped popularize the term 'rock and roll'. Freed died on January 20, 1965, and the date is often associated with Disc Jockey Day.
In the 1970s, DJs transformed music again. In 1973, DJ Kool Herc hosted a party in the Bronx, New York, where he extended the instrumental 'breaks' of records using two turntables, a technique that helped give birth to hip-hop. Disco, house and electronic dance music also grew from DJ culture. Today, DJs use digital tools, but the art of reading a crowd remains the same.
Why Disc Jockey Day Matters
DJs connect listeners with music, often introducing audiences to new artists and styles.
They've helped create entire genres, from rock 'n' roll radio to hip-hop and electronic dance music.
DJs also bring people together, from local radio hosts who serve their communities to the DJs who keep weddings and parties lively.
How to Celebrate Disc Jockey Day
- Call in: request a song from your local radio DJ.
- Make a playlist: curate a mix for a friend.
- Try DJing: experiment with free mixing apps.
- Learn the history: explore early hip-hop and radio DJs.
- Support local radio: donate to a community or college station.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, invite coworkers to take turns being the office DJ, sharing a playlist during a break. In classrooms, students can learn how radio works, record their own mini radio show or explore how DJs shaped music genres. At home, families can make a shared playlist for a dance party, with each person picking a song. Keep volume at safe levels to protect hearing.
Fun Facts About Disc Jockey Day
- Walter Winchell is often credited with coining 'disc jockey' in 1935.
- DJ Kool Herc's 1973 Bronx party is linked to the birth of hip-hop.
- Alan Freed died on January 20, 1965.
Disc Jockey Day FAQs
When is Disc Jockey Day?
Disc Jockey Day is celebrated on January 20 each year.
Why is Disc Jockey Day on January 20?
It's often linked to the death of pioneering radio DJ Alan Freed on January 20, 1965.
Who coined the term disc jockey?
Walter Winchell is often credited with coining it in 1935.
Who was the first DJ?
Early radio broadcasters such as Reginald Fessenden are credited with the first music broadcasts.
Who helped create hip-hop DJing?
DJ Kool Herc, who pioneered extending breaks with two turntables in 1973.
What does a DJ do?
A DJ selects, plays and often mixes recorded music for an audience.