Welcome to show # 22. Tonight we dedicate the entire show to Joe Ross aka Joe  Zienowicz from New York City. Joe grew up in New Jersey and was always dazzled by the city skyline of New York City. He would sneak into the city with his girlfriend every chance he could get, and Studio 54 was always in his sights.

Naturally as an adult Joe worked and lived in New York City, based in the the East Village. Joe worked as a publicist, promoter, doorman and was DJ at major clubs such as Club USA, Limelight and Palladium. Joe also worked for HX Magazine, the first nightlife rag in NYC.

He also worked for The Village Magazine, Donna Karan, Intercosmetics, Vincent Longo, Corbin & Assoc & Atelier as marketing manager in all venues. He traveled Europe extensively Italy, France, England, Scotland, Norway, Germany, Greece, Hungary & Prague to name a few. He crisscrossed America opening stores for Sephora.

Music was part of Joe’s life and so it wasn’t long before he met, and became close friends with, Mistress Formika (Wigstock) now known as Michael “Formika” Jones. Michael still DJs in NYC, in East Village, Fire Island, David Barton as well as private parties.

Joe’s taste in music was impeccable and he was always the first to find an amazing new song and let me know about it, as he did with all of his friends. Joe was an avid supporter of LGBTIQ artists and championed them both in his personal and professional life (He put Perez Hilton onto Parralox for one!). He also had an amazing sense of style and anyone who stayed in his apartment would have seen firsthand his amazing art collection, in addition to some truly amazing and rare books. Needless to say his record collection was beyond compare, many of them signed by legendary artists such as Grace Jones, Debbie Harry and pretty much anyone famous and amazing who passed through New York City.

Joe Ross, you were an amazing guy and will be sorely missed. My thoughts go to Ethel, Tony, Michael “Formika” Jones, Denise Teperino, Jamie Burke & Hanna Røskaft and everyone else who knew and loved him.

Electronically Yours, John von Ahlen.

You can listen to the entire show by clicking on the podcast link at the bottom of the page.