The music icon, who has worked with everyone from Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga to Bruno Mars, Adele, and Miley Cyrus, spent the day with young DJs and musicians at the Chalk Farm venue sharing stories from his early days behind the decks in New York.
It’s the subject of his memoir Night People: How To Be a DJ in 90s New York City, a coming of age tale which explores the music, characters, escapades and energy of his formative DJ days playing the city’s clubs and house parties.
Born in St John’s Wood, the 50-year-old moved to New York at the age of eight and during his visit to the legendary music venue he explored the Roundhouse’s creative studios and met some of the 13 to 25 year olds who take part in music workshops and events as part of their youth programme.
It offers access to music studios, courses, and industry mentorship at affordable prices.
Ronson, who also created the Barbie soundtrack and produced Camden resident Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black album, said: “I’ve played some of my favourite shows ever at the Roundhouse, it’s such an awesome, historical venue. That’s why I wanted to come back and talk to some of the young people that use this incredible studio they have here.
“The Roundhouse has all these recording studios that young people can hire for £1 an hour. It means young people that wouldn’t be able to afford to get in the studio, really brilliant creative young musicians, producers, inspiring singers, rappers, can have that opportunity to create.”
Aspiring musician Owen Walters had their guitar signed on their 21st birthday.(Image: The Roundhouse)
Aspiring musician Owen Walters was lucky enough to get their guitar signed. They said: “As a young musician just starting out here at the Roundhouse, it was just absolutely incredible to be in the same room as a living legend.
“Mark Ronson is probably one of the most influential musicians who has shaped the world of pop music today. It was just incredible to hear about his early days, how he started off as a DJ, his journey towards his first few albums. On my 21st birthday, it was a dream come true to meet the one person that I admire the most in the music industry.”
DJ Shakaraa, Roundhouse youth programme participant described it as “a surreal experience” DJing for Mark Ronson.
“Back to black by Amy Winehouse was one of the first albums I ever bought on vinyl and curating that collection was a big reason I wanted to learn how to DJ.
“As a very new DJ, it’s easy to doubt yourself but getting praise from a legend like Mark Ronson was the motivation I needed to keep pushing. It was a night I’ll never forget!”
