Marc Berkley Dead at 56

• I was one of the fortunate people who got to attend his amazing fabulous parties in NYC. At places like Limelight, Roxy, Palladium, The Tunnel and Club Usa. Ever since the mid 90's Its been since I really heard much of Marc Berkley. He sort of dropped out of the whole loop. The club scene will never be the same again without him, He will be greatly missed

• Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins. This weight loss program encourages high protein diet and a trim down on the carbs. One can feast on vegetables and meat but should fast on bread and pasta. One is also not restricted against fat intake so it is okay to pour in the salad dressing and freely spread on the butter. However, after the diet, one may find himself lacking on fiber and calcium yet high in fat. Intake of grains and fruits are also limited.

• Apparently as pecker checker, you didn't do much of a good job of even keeping your own lips above the hips scott. There was plenty of below hip action going on. Isn't that a pointless job anyway as the party was called "Lick It!"? Why employ a "pecker checker" if you invite guys to "Lick It!"?

• wow, bitter knows no lexicon... Marc Berkley was one of a kind, w/o excuse. Brad Lamm's comments were like a fagtag time machine, bitd I was once the pecker checker in the Limelight backroom, "lips above the hips..." Requiscat in Pace. p.s. still wondering why no one bothered to tell me, ffs

• Marc was PURE EVIL. He got what he deserved. Thank goodness the World has been spared from his evil continuing further on! All those above are merely ass kissers to EVIL.

• I am surprised that no one has mentioned Marc's contributions to the LGBT community outside of the clubs. He was an early Board member of the Empire State Pride Agenda and in that capacity and many others was constantly trying to further equality and justice for LGBT people. Thanks, Marc, not only for the fun, but for being one of the people in the nighlife world who was interested in making positive societal change during the day time, too.

• Thank you Michael for the post. I was Marc's boyfriend in the late 80s and we remained very good friends. I am deeply saddened by this news. I saw him recently when I was in New York and he was in great spirits. He always represented "New York" for me and was so much fun to be around. Thank you Marc for all the good times and rest in peace. Grant

• THANKS MARC FOR ALL THE GOOD TIMES! You will always be a part of my New York memories.

• Rest in peace Marc. You were quite a spectacular person and I was lucky enough to know your softer side. I will always remember you fondly...even if you could get scary! One of the best lines anyone ever said to me was said by Marc: When ya gonna drop the ingenue act?

• Is Peter Gatien now planning to open a nightclub in Hell?

• I am deeply saddened to receive this news. There were many, many occasions on which Marc helped me to get into his clubs when I was waiting outside the door, and he was always kind and sweet to me. I hope that others will remember him along the same lines -- as a positive to the gay community, and as somebody who brought pleasure to many, many gay men. PHILIP CHANDLER

• Update: A memorial service will be held for Marc Berkley's family and friends at Redden's Funeral Home. The service will begin at 7pm on Wednesday April 28th, 2010. Redden's is located at 325 West 14th Street in Manhattan, between 8th and 9th Avenues (tel 212-242-1456). A memorial celebration of Marc Berkley's life is being planned and will be announced shortly. No flowers, please. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Marc's name to the GLBT community charity of your choice.

• The picture says it all. And what is that saying? Seriously.

• Tunnel, Limelight, Palladium, and the much lamented Club USA... Mark and Peter Gaitien's parties spread fairy dust over the lives of me and my friends; all refugees from small towns and even smaller minds... Whatever his personal failings, we were better off for having had him around.

• Thank you Michael... Marc was a visionary, a fighter and a friend. No doubt that he enjoyed his roles in his multi-faceted career but I believe he enjoyed putting people in a brighter light even more so. That is what he did best, he pushed names and ideas in the industry. He made big stars in NYC nightlife that went on to bigger and greater opportunities. In his way, and sometimes, a very difficult way to understand, but I know he did so for many...including me. I will forever be grateful.

• Marc was a icon to the club world...He will forever remain in our hearts...His presents here on earth will never be forgotten....He will remain a true legion of this time...Thank you for bringing so much joy to soooo many people....Tyler Elmore

• My heart sank when I heard the news of Mark's sudden passing. He had such a wonderful influence on my life while I lived and worked in NYC in the 1990's. What a driving force for our community. You are missed Mark, Joe Z.

• The night is bitter The stars have lost their glitter The wind grows colder... Put an exclaimation point and a period at the end of the sentance. New York nightlife will NEVER be the same! Thanks Marc--You made it easier for the rest of us to have a good time.

• Good bye. This man provided many a good time in NY. As the golden age of disco crumbled in the early-mid 80's, Marc helped to usher in a new era of gay nightlife. He breathed fresh air into a world that needed a new start. Here's to Mr. Marc Berkley.

• I was a complete Nobody and Marc was always very nice to me. I was eating lunch alone one day and came right over and sat at the table with me and gabbed. He just connected with people. And Michael -- I don't think your comment was awful. It just came off your head. It IS a very sad way to begin what should be a happy season. His death will loom.

• Thank you Marc Berkley for doing all that you did. Most didn't understand you But I found your humor and zest intriguing You made no excuses ~ you were on the dancefloor carrying on w/ the rest of us Bless you for the good years!

• Marc Berkley found the fun in nightlife Lick It Lounge, Club USA, the Tunnel to The Palladium He was part of the scene, not an observer And he always had something to say that would make us laugh. He will be remembered for many things He wasn't always easy, but that comes with the territory. He fought the fight to have nights for us; and when they were good: someone else would take credit (Mr. DJ's) When they were bad: it was because of him (not true) The slide @ USA was one of my favorites and the DJ in the bathroom @ tunnel: genius! Rest in Peace dear Marc

• Since he segued into the next dimension at Fire Island I can only that he,like we all should hope to,left in ecstasy.

• Can we please wait until AFTER the funeral for the ad hominems? There will be time for that to spare. Right now I want to thank him for giving me and my friends some of the best nights of our lives. It is right to pause and remember the good things. Especially when those good things are memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. Really, how many people can give us those?

• It's all going so fast...

• He was a little too enamored of Peter Gatien and was his biggest enabler/apologist.

• It's always sad when a life has ended and perhaps Marc Berkley did bring some happiness to many out there, but let the record show he was also cruel, sleazy, slimy and cost many people their hard earned jobs in Clubland simply because they would not bow to his wishes of having sex with him or succumbing to his powerful authority. With the good comes also the bad.

• Marc gave me a job to be the door man at Limelight. Which lead to meeting Bryant Stiney, which lead to Marvin asking me to host PartyTalk which lead to Conrad asking me to be a weatherman on the TV, which lead to... His trickle down was enormous. He was ornery sometimes, but I loved him in a sweet rich way. We both struggled with addiction for many years and that element made for some trying times in many ways. I remember his work ethic back then. I remember Matthew and Gil and Jamie. Fernando and Dan. Mark Allen and Carlos. I was always very happy to see him, and always a little timid around him for some reason. Rest in peace sugar. x

• Worked for Marc for many years at both HX and for his nightlife empire. It was definitley a challenge working for him. It was fun time of my life though. Marc had a sincere side that occassionally surfaced and that always reminded me that he was a good guy even though he was a difficult person to work for. He hired me when I was unemployed and eventually I worked for him, HX magazine, and Sound Factory all at the same time. It was like a few part time jobs that turned into on big full time job. May God bless him and he be in a peaceful place now. He will be in my prayers.

• Had a BLAST @ many of his events...always energized nights with a great mix. Further addition- or subtraction to the end of an era. So sorry!

• Thanks, Michael. As I thought about it late, I was sure you didn't mean it the way it sounded. Glad you changed it, though, thanks. Think we're all frazzled.

• P2H_ OmGoodness, Is David Archuleta then ew Tiger Woods. Can't you people find something else to write about. Every rag mag has had its dig at this man who simply went with friends to see Charice perform. (which he loved, btw) My goodness write about his new album, or his book coming out in June, or that he perform at a gala dinner for Sir Richard Branson Thursday night, or that he was invited to attend the ASCAP Awards, or mention his work with tons of charities; mention something people want to hear about. This gay bar thing is older than dirt. And stop expecting David to defend himself. He wasn't defening himself with his tweets, he simply responded to his newer fans who begged him to come into Twitter and dispel the rumors. David loves his fandom enough to relieve us of any kind of anguish about him. Leave the man alone! Palm to Heart

• Changed it.

• He was a friend of mine too. Sorry, I wrote it quickly to get the news out and I didn't mean it to be trivializing at all. "He was meaningful" certainly tries to convey that. I will add more as I learn more.

• He was my friend. I think Marc deserves a little more respect than "an awful way to start the resort season."

• Michael well said. He was meaningful! Thank you

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