With his second meeting in as many months with London's own Godfather Of House, Muzz Khan meets with Norman Jay as he lifts the lid on his views about his MBE, clubbing and the future of London's nightlife. A very intriguing read....

How long have you been DJing for???

This is my 20th year as a professional disc jockey! Well, at least 20 years of me actually getting PAID to DJ!

Are there any particular fond memories that you have of playing at Canvas - in its Bagley's days???

Yeah, I've got loads of memories because I did the first ever parties at Bagley's. It was illegal back in those days. I knew the son of the owner of Bagley's - but I didn't know that he was the son of the owner until I went back to do another party at the venue! The initial first, big, illegal party went so well they asked me to come back and do another one!

Do you feel saddened by the closure of Canvas in the infamous Goods Yard???

Yeah I do, because it attracted quite a lot of people to the area. I mean there's no noise issues there, really, and it's a perfect place for clubbers to congregate. It's definitely one of my preferred places to DJ. It's really sad news that, yet again, one of London's favourite clubs has now been grabbed by developers. It seems that everywhere I go they seem to do it. First it was the Docklands way back when. They got their hands on that. And now, it's the Good's Yard. That's why I'm itchin' to get back. I'll be sorry to see the old place go. But, you know, as one door closes, hopefully, another one opens....

How do you see the nightlife in London changing as a result of the closure of Canvas - especially with more closures to be announced in 2008???

Yeah, that's just the nature of things, isn't it? The whole clubbing pattern is constantly changing but the one thing that's common is that people still like to go out and hear music. Whether they choose to do it in a club, in a bar or in someone's front room, clubbers are a resourceful lot and they'll soon come up with new ways and places to party - if they haven't already.

What tunes from yesteryear can we be expecting you to dust off and bring with you to play at Shiva???

I'll be playing the house that I played back at that space back in the early 90's. The tunes that remind me of great times I've had there and tunes that, hopefully, will remind the crowd of great times they've had. So, it'll be a mixture of both!

You're the first black British DJ to be awarded the MBE title. How did that make you feel and were you surprised???

Yeah, I was very surprised. I was proud then, I'm even prouder now. But it's not only for me. I feel it's for the dance music industry and the dance music scene. A fantastic honour and accolade of which I'm justifiably proud.

If you had the power to hand out an MBE to a fellow DJ, who would it be and why???

They all deserve recognition - it's not about an MBE. For me, it's about recognition of what I do, my art, my skills and my time in the business. There's an awful lot of people in the business who justifiably could be given, or should be given, the same sort of recognition.

So, did her Majesty ring you, personally??? Did you ask her for a gig at the Palace?!?!

I asked whether I could do a festival on the lawn. It got kicked into touch, that one - coz I'd make it free and I'd invite half of London to come! It was met with a resounding....... NO!!!

You were one of the founding members of Kiss 100 FM. How did that come about???

The music I was into back then just wasn't being played on normal radio. So, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! So I thought I'd start my own radio station and that was exactly what I did. We played soul, funk, house, jazz, reggae - all the music that Radio 1 and all the other stations wouldn't touch.

Away from DJing, I hear you're a big football fan. Is it Chelsea or Arsenal then?!?!
(PS - I knew full well that he supported Spurs!! Tee-hee!!)

It's none of 'em! No. It's none of 'em! You're wrong on both counts there! I don't know where you got THAT from. I'm a 'Spurs fan - for my sins!

So, with you being a very dedicated Tottenham Hotspurs fan. Even though, it's not exactly 'Good Times' for Spurs at the moment - imagine the scene. Tottenham are playing in the European Cup Final on a Wednesday night in some neutral venue abroad. Juande Ramos rings you up and offers to fly you over there to watch the match and be their guest of honour. But, unfortunately, you've got a gig on that night. What would you do???

I'd do my gig because footballers get paid. It's their living and DJing is my living. My work comes first. I'd do my gig. There's always another football match....

But, this is Tottenham Hotspurs in the European Cup Final!!!

They put themselves first. I put myself first. My business comes first. When I've done my business - then I can look around for forms of entertainment!

Speaking of entertainment, we look forward to hearing which of YOUR tunes entertain US in a matter of weeks!!! Thanks again, Norman.....