Charles Mackenzie of Scotland or DJ Sir Charles has inspired and entertained millions of people during his colourful career that has spanned decades. Few artistes have persevered in this cut throat industry as long as Charles. He has worked in many odd jobs in entertaintment, learning and understanding the trade through some of this generation’s talented names. Today Sir Charles is an established figure who has been to over 50 countries and worked in 30 of them as an artiste, performer, actor, producer DJ, and club DJ. Currently he tours the planet offering 4 different types of shows (from disco to Ibiza-themed parties) depending on the audience.

I’ve had the honour to put him through some questions. This interview was compiled over the span of 3 months, as I emailed him the questions and he wrote down his replies on paper during his tour. We finally have the answers here and I hope this will be a treat for everyone.


Sir Charles

How long have you been a DJ ?
Since 1973, you count.:-)

How did you get started ? What was it like to be a DJ back then ?
I started singing when I was 8, then when I turned 14 we sang in a place for a lot of kids, the DJ that was playing needed to go to the WC and asked me if I could look after his set for him. He just quickly showed me what to do in case the record ended and I needed to change the tune. (beat mixing was none existent back then) When he came back I had so much fun with the crowd he just stopped and watched, I was using the microphone like he was, but on top of that, I was singing and making extra noise that worked with the music, and the people was singing along. He came up to me after about 20 minutes and told me he was going to teach me how to do the job, I was one of the few real talents he had ever seen. (According to him that is). What it was like to be a DJ back then .. it was fun, people liked to be entertained, the hype did not exist, you weere regarded for your entertainment value, people were more forgiving, they where out to show off to themselves, the way they dressed, danced and acted, but still, the better you where, the more jealousy you received.

Can you describe your music in 5 words ?
The music I like to play? Groovy, Driving, Dynamic, Happy, Funky.

What type of gear did DJs use back then ?
Many of the mixers we worked on had no headphone connection, so you had to know your vinyl, and have good eyesight. Pro turntables was used by rich radio stations (no pitch-control), they were balanced for giving the best possible sound, move them or push them and you had to re-balance them. Most of the dance places at that time had good home Hi-Fi belt-drive turntables with weights hanging from the arm on a little wire such as Thorens, Luxor, Marantz, Philips, Onkyo and many others. You had to be able to use a microphone, a good one, a DJ at that time was as much an entertainer and artist as a person playing records. Many places used band PA mixers due to them having phones connections and EQ on every band, something that was few and far between on DJ consoles in those days.

Has there ever been a time when you had trouble making ends meet as a DJ ?
Well let me put it like this, I have had more Macaroni and ketchup in my life then most families of 20 have in a lifetime, and sometimes nothing at all. I lived for 18 months with friends and had to hope they had food for me as well. But to be honest, there are a lot of people out there that are a hell of a lot worse of then I have ever been.

You tour a lot. What are the ups and downs of being on the road so much ?
Touring is a blessing and a curse in many ways. It is extremely hard to find a partner whom accepts you to be away from half, to two thirds of the year, and in all type of company, going to parties where they themselves will tread very seldom. It is a question of trust, and acceptance between two people of a nature that is extremely rare. In this I am very fortunate, I found one person that has all the above, and she encourage me to do my thing, knowing that if I don`t, I will slowly wither and die as a person. Touring is like the lifeblood of your artistic development, to be able to go out among people and perform from the bottom of your heart and see people (hopefully) enjoy what you bring to them, in many ways it is like a drug, it is very hard, at least for me, to stand still for to long and do nothing or be in a studio. A lot of new and stunning performances and ideas has come from people touring, it is after all a creative process.

What do you do when you’re not on the road ?]
When I am not on the road I drive my motorcycle to see places I like to see, I read a lot, I write some truths, sayings and sort of poetry. Sometimes I spend some time in my small studios just to play around with new ideas and basically try to relax. I even do some other jobs for a couple of weeks to get the playing on distance so as I feel good returning to my decks. It is always a good thing to remember what keeps the rest of the world going when you are playing, to do some other type of work every now and then makes you appreciate the fans you have, and what they do to survive, helps to give you another perspective of the life around you.

Name 3 highlights of your career that you can remember.
Hmmm, well me and my old band Revolution did some shows, and during some of our sets I also did DJ-ing, I remember in one place our Bass player had this young women suddenly come up on stage and pulled it out to play with in-front off about 900 to a 1000 people. We (also) did a show for some mentally and physically challenged youth of various ages in the early 80s, when we where on tour. That was one of the most giving moments in my life, they are so grateful and they are not afraid to show it. 3 is hard, since there are so many small and large highlights.

If you never became a DJ, what would you most likely be doing today ?
I also have talent in acting, singing, design, construction and other creative work, so being a DJ is not the whole story, but if I was not working as a DJ, you pick one of the others, and I am sure you would find me somewhere among these professions.

How was the role of DJs changed over the years ?
The role of DJ has not really changed, only people�s perception of one. A DJ is still an artist. Any one can play music, but not that many can merge the music, and I am not talking about beat mixing. The thing you also have to know being a DJ, is to be able to read your crowd and adapt to the mood. The only thing that breaks from this truth is the hype that is built up by the industry, and unfortunately a lot of people buy the hype, not really knowing what they are looking for, just jumping on the train as so not to be left outside.

How would you describe today�s DJs ?
Today�s DJs have a lot of gear we wished we had when I started. However, few would survive if the digital systems they are used to break down and they would have to work with a mixture of turntables, cassette-players and CD players. Few DJs today are aware of the power in how to be able to use the microphone, how to create something different, and to let themselves be an artist and performer. I do not say all of them, but many of them.

What�s the scoop backstage ? Do you see a lot of ego trips among DJs ?
Egos among DJs, ha ha ha ha ha, yes there are superstar attitudes in the business. Of course there are a lot of nice people among DJs, do not misunderstand me.

Deafness is one of the risks of this profession. How serious is the problem and how do you take care of your hearing ?
Unfortunately, it is a problem for us all, though a pair of very good headphones and a great mixer with good volume and EQ control on the headphone line, is a good start. Another thing is to have a great and well balanced sound-system. Distortion sounds, tweaks and other noise in the system that cuts in your ears are not good for you, it takes years to learn. There are a number of manufacturers making specially designed earplugs for singers, musicians, sound engineers and DJs, I recommend any artist to check out these. There are even a few that specially design ones based on your ear, need and work preferences. They are well worth it, and will save your hearing from the worst beating.

What do you make of controllerism (computer DJing) ?
A computer is a tool to enhance what you are doing, not really the same as turntables and CD players, it is up to the person using them to be honest with the audience.Yes computers have a place in the business as long as people does not become totally dependent on them.

Any advise for those aspiring to be DJs ?
Find a DJ who has been around for a long time and knows most of the score, (one that) will back you up when it comes to learn something, after that you should take the time to learn about sound, light, security, bar-tendering, managing and business and psychology based on the type of work you are planning to get into. Learn to use your talents. I know DJs that stopped in the middle of the set to play on their drums, sax, guitars, (and) microphones. It is all about balance, never overdo it, use it as a special effect or a special treat.

If there could shortist one person who was vital to your success all these years, who would it be ?
There was so many people making Soul, Funk, Rock, Blues, Disco and a lot of other music that inspired me, remember I started as a singer and I still sing. Marvin, the DJ from New Mexico whom started teaching me, Amiel, the mad artist from Bahamas, whom kept pushing me, Isaac the man whom helped me find my voice and taught me how to sing. My nother for supporting my choices in life and never once told me to do something proper with my life, since to her, to be an artist is a proper thing to do, even if it is one of the hardest things to do.

Tell us more about your current tour and future plans.
Well I am currently slowing down this tour, one that has taken me around a number of small clubs in Europe, and some big events. I am currently looking for a new management and booking agent, working on my new tunes, designing some new shows and I have made some new friends in Asia and Oceania that are very interested in getting me over there. I have also heard from Africa and South America. Otherwise I am doing some voice commercials and writing on my book about poetry, truths and sayings. I am working on getting a new new record out there. My fan club is building a new web-site and they will eventually have it up and running early next year.

Thanks to Sir Charles for these wonderful answers !

More info :

  • Sir Charles World – http://www.sircharles-world.com