Jon Pleased Wimmin

The 90s really was a golden decade, wasn’t it? It feels like the entire ten years could be summed up in just two George Michael videos. Iconic. One of the most legendary club nights of the time has to be Pleased, started by Jon Pleased Wimmin, one of the most in-demand DJs not just on the gay scene but in London and beyond.
And now, as the truism goes, ‘twenty years later it all comes back around,’ Pleased is back in a big way in London town. In fact on 4th September it celebrates its first anniversary at its new venue Dalston Superstore. We catch up with Jon about the original night and how it has re-emerged on to the scene.

Pleased had a real mish mash of celebs coming down in the 90s. Were there ever any rows between them?
Not that I can remember, in the 90s everyone just merged into one and people were too busy having a good time to notice. Celebs weren’t really a ‘thing’ then.

Naomi Campbell was a frequent face at Pleased. What’s your favourite Naomi story?
I remember once she came into the DJ box and I called her Winston. I genuinely thought it was Winston, the drag host of Kinky Gerlinky. Haha…

I bet she was thrilled! Are any of the celebrities who partied with you in the 90s, coming to this new Pleased?
No, I think they’re all either dead, in prison or in rehab.

BURN! What’s your favourite outfit you wore to Pleased in the 90s?
Oh blimey, there were so many. I had a bit of a Galliano obsession back then, so probably one of his.

What your favourite outfit you saw someone else wear to Pleased – past or present…
You normally get at least one person stripping off and dancing naked at Dalston Superstore, so this OBVS.

No brainer. There was quite a strict door policy back in the day, is it still like that now?
I think because of where the original Pleased was held (The Velvet Undergound, Charing Cross Road) we had to be strict, whereas with Dalston Superstore, people come knowing what to expect and that the club in general attracts a certain type of person.

Which two songs have you most unexpectedly played back to back?
Maybe ‘Out of Control’ by The Chemical Brothers and ‘Fanlight Fanny’ by Danny la Rue.

Amazing. Why do you think the relaunch has been so successful?
There seems to be a thirst for uplifting music again, with the emphasis on fun and less on dodgy drugs and moody stuff.

What’s your favourite Mariah Carey song?
The ONLY song I like by her is the Morales mix of Dreamlover. I can’t stomach all those awful ballads with Boyzone etc, they give me the shivers.

IT WAS WESTLIFE! And yes, we don’t listen to that one either….but, thank you, Jon.

Pleased will be celebrating their one year anniversary at Dalston Superstore on 4th September. Find out more here on the Facebook Event page.

Jon’s new single ‘Don’t Be Scared (Of Yourself)’ is available now on iTunes.