Norman Jay on the Queen’s Jubilee

DJ Norman Jay MBE shares his thoughts on why the Jubilee is a good excuse for a party, how he’s reneged on his former punk ‘stuff the Royals’ attitude, and why cultural tolerance is what it really means to be British.

On the DJ Royalty spectrum Jay is surely King, and speaking to him kind of makes me wish he were our monarch. So it’s no surprise he’s been asked to present the official Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Festival after-party, which will see him banging out a range of tunes which span the reign of Our Liz.

‘It’s a loose music brief over the last 50 years and British club culture is already as old as that. They’ll be some jazz, ’60s mod, northern soul, funk, disco,’ he says.

‘Not a lot of people are able to make a connection with the Royal family. So if the only reason people come out is to have a party – that’s a good one as far as I’m concerned.’

But way back before he received his Order of the British Empire in 2002, Jay was certainly no ‘establishment’ figure, having hosted a series of illegal warehouse parties in the ’80s, and being fully signed up to the punk ethos a decade earlier. ‘I think you do eventually become part of what you once rebelled against. In 1977 I was very anti-establishment, with a ‘stuff the Jubilee’ attitude.

‘Now I’m part of the celebrations and am chuffed they invited me.’ He says he feels lucky to be recognised. ‘Not many people are afforded that luxury.’

Does it bother him that his former self may not have approved? ‘I have no problem with it. I’m not a Royal basher, but I’m not pro either. My feelings are live and let live. She didn’t ask to be Queen, and I think she does good for the country.’

Tolerance is needed when it comes to respecting all cultures – something which equally applies to the more traditional British festivities, he says. ‘I celebrate St George’s Day and I think sometimes political correctness has gone mad. Everyone else is encouraged to celebrate their own cultures unless you are white and working class. I remember one stupid council once asking someone to take down a St George’s cross!’

But he’s perhaps less enthusiastic about that other Great British event happening this summer. ‘God knows we are living in austere times. People are being squeezed and yet you see the government spending millions on the Olympics. They are talking about leaving a legacy and at the same time schools are having to sell off football pitches!’

However, there’s still plenty to celebrate about living in the capital. ‘I think London is the envy of kids around the world. There are lots of good things happening here, anyone can perform, make music and we’ve got a fantastic pirate radio station scene. And an amazing fanzine culture that really sets us apart.

‘America didn’t come up with grime, dubstep and drum ‘n’ base, it happened here.’

Whether you choose to celebrate the Jubilee or remain in blissful oblivion, it’s hard to disagree with Jay’s final message to the people: ‘Look for the positive, it’s out there.’

Long may his reign continue!

Norman Jay will be presenting the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee After party ‘A Right Royal Carry On’ on Sunday 3 June from 8pm – 3am at The Clapham Grand.

Image by Humbert15 courtesy of Flickr