Mel Cheren Memorial

From Gay City News:

A memorial service honoring and celebrating the life and achievements of Mel Cheren will be held on the evening of Thursday, January 17 at Saint Peter's Church in New York City from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 pm.

Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Ben Davis of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah will open with a blessing followed by performances by West End recording artists Marty Thomas ("I Was Born this Way") and Taana Gardner and Dawn Tallman ("Save a Place on the Dance Floor"). Friends, family members, and leaders in the music industry will also make testimonials to Mel.

The co-founder of West End Records and the Paradise Garage, Cheren was credited by Billboard with having helped invent the 12-inch single. Cheren donated the first office space for the Gay Men's Health Crisis, organized GMHC's first fundraiser, and founded the 24 Hours For Life AIDS charity.

The man's contributions to music are hard to quantify. Consider this: No West End Records, no "Heartbeat" by Taana Gardner. No "Heartbeat," no "Buddy" by De La Soul. No "Buddy," no "Buddy Remix."

And that's just one song. Mel Cheren, R.I.P.