National Disc Jockey Day is observed annually on January 20th.

A disc jockey, or DJ for short, is a person who plays recorded music either on the radio or at a club or event.

The first disc jockey was an experiment on the airwaves. In 1909, sixteen-year-old Ray Newby was a student under the supervision of Charles “Doc” Herrold at Herrold College of Engineering and Wireless. He played the first records over the airwaves before the word disc jockey even existed.

What started as an experiment from the Garden City Bank Building where the college was located in San Fernando, California was soon being replicated by radio broadcasters across the country. Before Newby’s broadcasts, news, music and entertainment were primarily broadcast live.

It wasn’t until 25 years later that radio commentator Walter Winchell coined the term disc jockey.

Today, contemporary DJs play music from vinyl to digital. Regardless of the medium they use, the term disc jockey still applies.

Hip hop DJs became popular in the late 70s and 80s using multiple turntables and using the turntables themselves as an instrument to alter the music. Mobile DJs often act as the master of ceremonies at events or parties directing the evening’s activities.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Use #NationalDiscJockeyDay to post on social media.

HISTORY

National Disc Jockey Day is celebrated in remembrance of the death of Albert James Freed. Freed, also known as Moondog, was an influential disc jockey in the 1950s. He is credited with introducing the term “rock ‘n’ roll” to the world. Within our research, we were unable to find the creator of National Disc Jockey Day.