[Youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxCJFvduu_8]

Marty Thomas sings “I Was Born This Way” (Carl Bean)

Mel Cheren ( – December 7, 2007) was a New York gay entrepreneur and owner of West End Records. Mel was romantically involved with Michael Brody, the owner of the famous Paradise Garage club, for which Mel also provided financial backing. He died of complications of AIDS.

West End Records was co-founded by Mel Cheren and Ed Kushins in New York City in 1976 and published disco music. It was closely associated with the Paradise Garage and Larry Levan. Mel Cheren and Ed Kushins had met a few years earlier, when they were employed by Scepter Records. In 2002 Kevin Hedge (half of BLAZE) became Mel Cheren’s partner in West End, as well as the President of West End Records. Much of their music has been sampled for use in other dance and hip-hop tracks. The label employed musicians, mixers and remixers such as Larry Levan, Arthur Russell, Walter Gibbons, Tee Scott and Nick Martinelli.

They released such hits as:

• Taana Gardner – “Heartbeat” (1981)
• Karen Young – “Hot Shot” (1978)
• Barbara Mason – “Another Man”
• Loose Joints – “Is It All Over My Face” (1980)
• The New York Citi Peech Boys – “Don’t Make Me Wait” (1982)

Other notable tracks include

• Inez Brooks Chillin’ Out(1981)
• Taana Gardner – Work That Body (1979)
• Ednah Holt – ‘Serious, Sirious Space Party (1981)
• Taana Gardner ‘When You Touch Me’ 1979
• Debbie Trusty – Searchin’ For Some Lovin’/1982
• Raw Silk ‘Do It To The Music’ (1982)
• Brenda Taylor ‘You Can’t Have Your Cake And Eat It Too’ (1982)

I Was Born This Way (see Youtube clip above) is one of the most respected gay dance music anthems.