DJ Pete Tong: ‘Harlesden was pretty funky back then’

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Pete Tong was born in Dartford in 1960. He’s been DJing, and radio presenting since in his late teens. Initially, he was a Soulboy, and could be heard on the pirate station Radio Invicta, which specialised in the genre. Stints on capital and (briefly) Radio London followed, and by the late 80s Pete had established himself as a champion of electronic music. It was in 1991 that he presented his first Essential Mix on Radio 1, and you can still find on the station today. Pete is now one of Britain’s most recognised DJs…not least since fellow DJ Paul Oakenfold coined the phrase "It's all gone Pete Tong", cockney rhyming slang for "it's all gone wrong". Pete Tong revealed his favourite haunts, memories, pet hates and everything in between with Robert Elms. This interview was originally broadcast on BBC Radio London in December 2019.