Pete Tong

One of the most influential DJs of his generation, Pete Tong is best known for his BBC Radio 1 programs and the house compilations released by his FFRR Records label. Born in Dartford, Kent, on July 30, 1960, he began performing in public behind the turntables at the age of fifteen, taking his mobile disco from one London party or disco to another in the late 1970s. Over the following decade, he became a presenter on Radio Invicta, Capital Radio and BBC Radio 1, and for fifteen years from 1991 presented the Friday show Essential Selection, which became a firm favourite with house music fans, as well as Essential Mix, live from Ibiza every weekend since 1993. Pete Tong also established a residency at Le Pacha between 2003 and 2007, and performs at festivals. He helped launch the iHeartRadio platform with the It's All Gone Pete Wong program in 2012, and hosts a popular evening at Miami Music Week every year. Dozens of UK chart-topping albums since 1995 include the Essential Selection series every season from 1997 to 2000 and Essential Mix, Wonderland in 2008; Classic House (#1 in 2016) and Ibiza Classics (#11 in 2017), with The Heritage Orchestra conducted by Jules Buckley; Chilled Classics (#20 in 2019) and Pete Tong & Friends - Ibiza Classics (2021). On December 31, 2013, Pete Tong was elevated to Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for the 2014 New Year Honours promotion.