Changes with Annie Macmanus

DJ Fat Tony on why music is better than any drug and the moment of empathy that changed his life

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Episode notes

DJ Fat Tony is one of the most iconic figures of London’s nightlife scene. Tony’s extraordinary four-decade career at the heart of music and clubbing has seen him spinning tracks for everyone from Madonna to Prince, but his rise to stardom was paired with a drug addiction that almost killed him. Tony’s 2022 Sunday Times bestselling memoir ‘I Don’t Take Requests’, is a shocking, honest yet also at times hilarious account of his life. It’s filled with wild stories about his past and heartbreaking reflections on his journey through addiction, recovery, and transformation.

In this live episode of Changes, recorded at Before Midnight in Gunnersbury Park, Annie and Tony dive deep into Tony’s life from his upbringing in Battersea, to his teenage years spent on the legendary Kings Road, to the dark depths of addiction and his return to clubbing as a sober DJ. They talk about Tony’s love for music, how UK nightlife has evolved over the years and offer a raw insight into the highs and lows of DJ culture.

Content warning: this episode discusses addiction and abuse and has very strong language from the start.

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Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

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