Send us a text

The spinning wheels of roller skates have their perfect complement in the spinning vinyl of a DJ booth. This fascinating connection comes alive as Steve Gonzalez (DJ Speedy) takes us into the world of skating DJs—a specialized art form that's about far more than just playing songs.

Starting his skating journey in 1979 and picking up DJing in 1982, Steve provides a time capsule of roller skating culture spanning over four decades. He explains the crucial difference between club DJing and rink DJing: "You have to know your crowd and build the music." From his beginnings at Lorain Skate World in Ohio to his current residency at United Skates in Tampa where he draws crowds of 150-200 skaters, Steve's career traces the evolution of both skating and music technologies.

The conversation takes a poignant turn as Steve shares how vertigo forced him to hang up his skates in 2019, followed by a heart attack and bypass surgery—physical challenges that transformed but didn't end his relationship with skating culture. Despite these obstacles, his passion for creating the perfect skating atmosphere continues behind the booth.

Music selection emerges as a fascinating topic, with Steve favoring funk classics from artists like Zapp and The Gap Band that perfectly complement shuffle skaters. His assertion that modern music "has no heart" (with exceptions like Bruno Mars) reveals the thoughtful consideration behind every track at the rink. The technological evolution from vinyl to digital platforms has made beat-matching easier but perhaps less artistic—a transition Steve navigated while maintaining his distinctive approach to skating soundtracks.

Whether you're a skating enthusiast curious about what makes rink music work, a DJ interested in specialized venues, or someone fascinated by subcultures that blend physical activity and music, this episode offers rare insights into an art form that keeps the wheels turning. Find DJ Speedy on Facebook to follow his continuing journey at the crossroads of music and motion.