King Jerry

The adorable King Jerry has been a fixture on the 'Brighton scene', since the '60s, some say the 1860s!

It is true to say that he has provided part of the soundtrack of life for as many as three generations in some families. Yet, he is as relevant now as he always has been and when it comes to Soul and disco music there are few in this town who can match his knowledge and his ability to make people get up and dance!

Life for Jerry is about having FUN and you see people smile when they're just watching him waddle down the street. I've only ever known Tommy Cooper to have that effect.

It is alleged that the character of 'Aceface' (played by Sting) in 'Quadrophenia was largely based on Jerry. His pseudonym 'King' was first applied when he was tagged 'King of The Mods' and indeed he was a witness to those events which brought so much notoriety to Brighton.

Although not a native of the town, he has adored the place since the first day he arrived and now there are few better known 'characters' than himself.

He started DJing relatively late (in his mid 20s) and since then has worked just about everywhere that is anywhere in the locality. For many years he could be found by day working in record stores, experience which all contributed to the huge bank of knowledge he carries for his specialist subject.

In December 2007, news spread like wildfire that poor Jerry had passed away. It turned out to be an unfortunate misreading of a death notice in 'The Argus', but the coverage it attracted in both the local and national media was testimony to the fact that he has simply touched so many people in his inimitable way. It was great too that the family of the late Geraldine King saw the funny side of it all and indeed met with Jerry when he handed over more than £500 which had been raised at Check Out The Groove! on the night the news broke.